John O'Connor

John O'Connor co-leads Steptoe's Insurance & Reinsurance practice. He is a multifaceted trial lawyer who earnestly defends corporations and law firms in complex, high-dollar commercial disputes and defense contractors in national defense and foreign relations litigation. He also skillfully represents insurance companies in litigation and arbitration concerning property and liability insurance coverage issues. John served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps for ten years, including three years as a judge advocate, and his clients appreciate John's efficient and no-nonsense style of litigation, as well as his deep knowledge of legal issues relating to national defense litigation and insurance coverage.

On the corporate side, John litigates disputes among shareholders and members of limited liability companies over ownership and/or control of business operations, as well as disputes between companies and their departing employees. He handles contract disputes, fraud claims arising from business transactions, and disputes between franchisors and franchisees. Defense contractors rely on John in a variety of matters relating to their performance of government contracts. These representations have involved defense of a government contractor against common-law tort claims, claims brought under the Alien Tort Statute and Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and disputes with other contractors concerning subcontract performance as well as the parties’ respective obligations under contractor teaming agreements to jointly pursue government contract work.

With respect to his representation of law firms, John has defended law firms in court against claims asserted by their clients or by departing partners, and has conducted investigations of such claims before they involved litigation in court.

John's insurance practice involves disputes concerning the application of insurance policies to liabilities arising out of asbestos, silica, lead paint, environmental contamination, pharmaceutical products, and other toxic torts. He also represents insurance companies in bankruptcy proceedings as well as against allegations of bad faith or violation of statutory claims-handling practices.

John leads Steptoe's participation in the District of Columbia Housing Right to Counsel Project, in which John and other Steptoe lawyers provide pro bono representation to tenants facing eviction from subsidized housing. On October 18, 2017, John received the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for his work on the project from the four legal services providers that coordinate the project.