John J. Little
Partner
Areas of Concentration
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Appellate Practice
- Insurance Coverage Practice
- Commercial Litigation
- Securities Litigation
- Will Contests and Fiduciary Litigation
Experience
Mr. Little has extensive experience in insurance coverage litigation, business and commercial litigation, fiduciary litigation and environmental litigation. He also has experience in disputes involving securities and land fraud, probate and trust matters, partnerships, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, real estate transactions, employment and lending transactions. Mr. Little also has extensive experience representing clients in ADR proceedings, including mediations and arbitrations.
Since April 2009, Mr. Little has served as the Court-appointed Examiner in the Stanford Financial Group receivership matter, SEC v. Stanford International Bank, Ltd., Civil Action No. 3:09-CV-0298-N in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, and also serves as chair of the Official Stanford Investors Committee created in that proceeding.
In the insurance coverage area, Mr. Little regularly represents insurance policy holders at trial and on appeal in coverage disputes with insurance companies. In that regard, he has handled matters involving first party property insurance claims, business interruption claims, and third party liability claims. Mr. Little has also worked with clients to monitor the defense provided by the clients’ insurers and has counseled clients with respect to their rights and obligations under their insurance policies.
Mr. Little also has considerable experience representing clients in fiduciary litigation involving trusts and estates. In that regard, he has represented will contestants, estate administrators, trustees, and trust beneficiaries in a wide range of proceedings.
Published Decisions
- Janvey v. Adams, 588 F.3d 831 (5th Cir. 2009)(Stanford Receivership)
- Wyndham International, Inc. v. Ace American Ins. Co., et al., 186 S.W.3d 682 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2006, no pet.)(insurance coverage)
- Sport Supply Group, Inc. v. Columbia Casualty Company and RSKCo Claims Services, Inc., 353 F.3d 453, 67 U.S.P.Q.2d 1225 (5th Cir, 2003)(insurance coverage).
- Marion v. Davis, 106 S.W.3d 860 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2003, pet. denied)(probate)
- Chickasha Cotton Oil Company v. Houston General Insurance Company, 2002 Westlaw 1792467 (Tex. App.-Dallas, August 6, 2002)(op’n on rehearing)(insurance coverage)
- Nat’l Bank of Kuwait v. Vinson Supply, 963 F.2d 369 (5th Cir. 1992)(letter of credit)
- W.O. Akin v. Q-L Investments, Inc. 959 F.2d 521 (5th Cir. 1992)(securities)
- Collins v. Williamson Printing Corp., 746 S.W.2d 489 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1988, no writ)(contract/debt)
- American Cyanamid Company v. Mississippi Chemical Corporation, 817 F.2d 91 (11th Cir. 1987)(contract)
- Holly Energy, Inc. v. Patrick, 239 Kan. 528, 722 P.2d 1073 (Kan. 1986)(oil & gas)
- Kaliski v. Hunt International Resources Corp., 609 F. Supp. 649 (N.D. Ill. 1985)(securities)
Publications
“Towards Respect for Corporate Separateness in Defining the Reach of CERCLA Liability,” 44 Sw. L. J. 1499 (1991)
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Dallas Bar Foundation (Life Fellow)
- State Bar of Texas (Life Fellow)
- American Bar Association
- Best Lawyers in America, Insurance Law, 2007-2013
- Texas Best Lawyers, Insurance Law, 2008-2013
Bar Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Education Background
- Yale Law School, 1983, J.D.
- Rutgers University (Cook College), 1980, B.S., highest honors
Civic Involvement
- Make a Wish Foundation of North Texas, Wish Night 2007, Honorary Chair
- Children’s Cancer Fund, Inc., General Counsel (2005 to present)
- Children’s Cancer Fund, Inc., Member, Board of Directors (2000-2004; Chairman, 2003)
Named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2019
by Woodward/White Inc.