John C. Goodchild, III

A trial lawyer with nearly 30 years’ experience in disputes arising from financial distress due to fraud and misconduct, John has led the defense of numerous actions brought by bankruptcy trustees, receivers, and liquidators asserting breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting, fraudulent transfer, subordination, and preference.

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.

• Antiguan-appointed Joint Provisional Liquidators of an FTX affiliate in chapter 11 proceedings
• 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 bankruptcy and federal litigation 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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.)