Biography
John Kane is a trial lawyer whose practice is primarily focused in the areas of fire and explosion, complex commercial litigation, large loss property subrogation, and product liability. He is a member of the firm’s Insurance + Reinsurance Group and Litigation Section.
Fire and Explosion
Mr. Kane is chair of the firm's Fire and Explosion Group. With 25 years of experience, and more than 1,000 fire and explosion cases from around the United States under his belt, Mr. Kane has developed a reputation as one of the country’s foremost fire litigators. He has been involved in some of the largest fire scenes around the country due to his critical understanding of fire origin and cause investigations. Mr. Kane has developed close working relationships with some of the nation’s top fire forensic experts and government authorities. He literally helped “write the book” that sets the standards for fire and explosion investigations and analysis – NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, and he currently serves on the National Fire Protection Association’s 921 Technical Committee. He is also a member of the National Association of Fire Investigators and International Association of Arson Investigators.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Mr. Kane has successfully litigated multimillion-dollar cases for large, publicly held corporations in federal and state courts throughout the country. He has experience representing clients in a wide-range of high-stakes litigation, including class actions, contract claims, business torts, unfair trade practices, trade secrets, and other business disputes. Mr. Kane partners with businesses, helping them to protect their interests in disputes arising from a large spectrum of commercial relationships. He often handles claims of fraud and requests for exemplary damages and fees. Mr. Kane consults with clients at the outset of every new case in an effort to understand their unique business objectives. He works to formulate and implement innovative, practical, and cost-effective strategies for achieving clients' goals.
Large Loss Property Subrogation
Mr. Kane is chair of the firm's Subrogation Group. On behalf of many of the world’s largest insurers and reinsurers, Mr. Kane pursues responsible parties to recover money for his clients. He assists his insurance clients from the outset of a claim, including investigating the circumstances and cause of each incident in order to maximize recovery effectively and efficiently. He has successfully litigated and resolved large loss property subrogation claims throughout the country, such as helping a carrier pursue a $60 million claim against a utility company responsible for a high voltage electrical fire.
Product Liability
Mr. Kane’s product liability practice primarily involves fire and explosion cases. He has served as the National Coordinating Counsel for various manufacturers, including a smoke alarm manufacturer, for whom he successfully defended numerous wrongful death cases throughout the United States. Mr. Kane defends manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in wrongful death, personal injury, property damage, and product liability suits. He also has successfully defended manufacturers in consumer product class action cases.
Mr. Kane has tried numerous matters to verdict. In addition to his trial experience, he has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution and serves as both a mediator and arbitrator in a variety of disputes.
Mr. Kane has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Insurance Law since 2006. (Copyright 2016 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC) and in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the area of Personal Injury Defense: Products for 2010, and 2013 to 2016 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.)