John C. Goodchild, III

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John C. Goodchild, III is a trial lawyer and co-leader of the bankruptcy, restructuring, and insolvency practice. He represents creditors, investors, fiduciaries, investment funds, and financial institutions in distressed situations and contentious restructuring proceedings. He defends actions in state, federal, and bankruptcy court brought by bankruptcy trustees, receivers, and liquidators asserting breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting, fraudulent transfer, subordination, and preference. John represents investors and fiduciaries appointed in non-US jurisdictions in chapter 15 cases and cross-border restructuring and enforcement matters involving corporations, investment funds, and private equity structures as well as plan sponsors and health and welfare plans in employee benefits and ERISA litigation concerning restructuring, workouts, and financial distress.

John is a co-founder and the lead coordinator of the Morgan Lewis Trial Academy, an intensive weeklong trial training program for the firm’s most senior associates. He serves as the chair of the firm's Fiduciary Review Committee. As an adjunct faculty member of the Villanova University School of Law, he teaches a course on trial presentation.

Corporate trustee and successor trustee in jury trial of a class action alleging breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the collapse of a regional hospital
Multi-national investment fund in US enforcement proceedings associated with judgment against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
US-based manufacturing company in connection with distress arising from disputes concerning its retiree healthcare and employee benefits obligations
Corporate owner of radio stations and audio content in fraudulent transfer trial arising from an alleged on-air fraud in connection with oil and gas investment
Financial institutions in the fraudulent transfer litigation arising from stock repurchases in the Mallinkrodt chapter 11 case
Antiguan-appointed Joint Provisional Liquidators of an FTX affiliate in chapter 11 proceedings
Trustees of fraud-damaged mutual fund in connection with SEC-approved plan of distribution
Cayman Islands-appointed Joint Provisional Liquidators of a US-listed, China-based corporation damaged by fraud, in US proceedings
Independent director of one of the victimized investment funds, independent director of a feeder fund, investment adviser, and several limited partners in connection with the collapse and liquidation proceedings of Abraaj Holdings and Abraaj Investment Management Limited
Multiemployer pension plan in an ERISA “evade or avoid” withdrawal liability arbitration against a financially distressed operator
Former contributing employer in litigation with multiemployer pension plan over accumulated funding deficiency
Institutional investor in the Cayman Islands insolvency proceeding of the SPhinX group of hedge funds
Multiemployer pension and health benefit funds in connection with the bankruptcy cases of Horizon Natural Resources (E.D. Ky.), Patriot Coal Company (E.D. Va.), Walter Energy Company (N.D. Ala.), Alpha Natural Resources (E.D. Va.), Arch Coal Company (D. Mo.), Peabody Energy (D. Mo.), and Westmoreland Energy (D. Colo. and S.D. Tex.)

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1994, J.D.
Dartmouth College, 1991, A.B.

Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Supreme Court of the United States
US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Publications

Recognized, 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, Lawdragon (2025)

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Philadelphia (2021–2026)

Ranked, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Philadelphia & Surrounds, Chambers USA (2019, 2021–2025)

Ranked, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2009–2019)

Recommended, Finance: Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate, The Legal 500 US (2015, 2017–2022)

Listed, The Legal Intelligencer, Best Law Firm Mentor(2021)

Listed, IFLR1000, Financial and Corporate, Highly Regarded – State (2019–2023)

Listed, IFLR1000, United States, Highly Regarded – State (2019, 2020)

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member, New Jersey Bar Association

Member, American Bankruptcy Institute

Fellow, Temple University Academy of Advocacy

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here.

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