John C. Goodchild, III

Partner

John C. Goodchild, III is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Business and Corporate Litigation Practice. His practice focuses on commercial contract and credit disputes, business tort litigation, bankruptcy litigation, and real estate litigation.

Mr. Goodchild has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes and business tort litigation. He represents a nationally known mortgage company in connection with disputes relating to the recent increase in defaults and foreclosures of consumer mortgages. He represented a mortgage lender in connection with a series of putative class actions relating to consumer credit practices. He was part of the Morgan Lewis trial team in the two lawsuits stemming from acquisition by Chase Manhattan Mortgage Company of Advanta Corporation's home mortgage business. He represents a leading medical device company in a dispute relating to alleged anticompetitive business practices. He recently defended an industry-leading software company in a dispute over alleged implementation problems.

Mr. Goodchild has represented defendants in actions brought by receivers, liquidators, and bankruptcy trustees. He represents a national accounting and consulting firm in an action brought by a bankruptcy trustee alleging gross negligence and breach of fiduciary duty relating to work in the energy industry. He represents a national accounting and tax consulting firm in an action alleging gross negligence relating to international taxation. He represented a national accounting and consulting firm in a lawsuit alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and deepening insolvency relating to the financial collapse of a major subprime automobile lending institution. He represented a national provider of continuing care services in a dispute with an insurance company in liquidation. He represented a publicly traded transportation company in a lawsuit brought by the trustee of a bankrupt trucking operator, alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and deepening insolvency. He represented a leading pharmacy retail company in a dispute with a bankruptcy trustee of one of its beauty products suppliers, involving retail credits and returns. He represented one of the nation's largest food suppliers in a PACA action brought in connection with the bankruptcy of a grocery store chain.

Mr. Goodchild has represented debtors, official committees, and creditors in U.S. and international bankruptcy and insolvency cases. He represents a major mutual fund company in connection with, and served for two years as Chair of the Liquidation Committee of, the Cayman Islands liquidation proceeding for the SPhinX group of hedge funds. He represented a group of health and retirement trust funds in the bankruptcy proceedings for Westmoreland Coal Company and Horizon Natural Resources. He represented a group of bondholders in their capacity as co-plan proponents in the bankruptcy of Meridian Automotive Systems.

Mr. Goodchild's practice also includes disputes relating to real estate and real estate valuation. He represents a nationally known retailer as real estate litigation counsel in numerous matters in Pennsylvania, including land use appeals and development contract disputes. He was lead trial counsel for the property owner during the condemnation hearings relating to the destruction of the Gettysburg National Tower, as well as the subsequent appellate and arbitration litigation. He represented a leading national music and concert promotion company in connection with disputes relating to the leasehold rights for a major concert venue in Philadelphia.

Mr. Goodchild is one of two course coordinators for the Morgan Lewis Trial Academy, which is an intensive week-long trial training program for the firm's most senior associates, taught by its most experienced trial lawyers. Mr. Goodchild also teaches "Computer Applications in Litigation" as a member of the adjunct faculty of the Villanova University School of Law.

Mr. Goodchild is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Circuits. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute.