John T. Eads III is co-chair of the firm's Trucking & Transportation practice group. John has defended high-exposure cases for more than 31 years, focusing his practice in medical, accounting and legal malpractice; transportation; product liability and general liability as well as large Michigan no-fault cases. He also handles environmental matters, business and employment disputes, contract actions, E&O liability and municipal/school liability cases. John represents major utilities and national retailers and is eminently qualified to defend and evaluate high-demand injury cases. His clients include insurers, commercial businesses and trucking companies, among others. In addition, John has handled high-value cases for major sports facilities and an American League baseball team, national sports associations, major manufacturers, various golf courses, carnival companies, and a number of boat facilities, go cart tracks and waterslides.

John presents to national and regional associations and organizations on issues pertaining to trial rules, large-case exposure, mediation strategies, trucking, medical malpractice, Michigan no-fault, errors and omissions, and professional liability. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only organization dedicated to elevating the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.

An avid coach, fan and player in a number of sports, John is active in community affairs, including the Catholic Lawyers, Soup Kitchens, Race for the Cure, Boy Scouts, and the Stonewater Subdivision Board of Finance.

Transportation

John has participated in oral arguments before the Michigan Supreme Court in trucking injury accident cases involving the applicability of the sudden emergency defense in single-witness cases. He is capable of handling catastrophic cases, using his depth of experience and GRSM’s broad geographic scope and adherence to a collaborative “cross-practice” approach, frequently involving colleagues in related practice areas. John is part of the firm’s nationwide 24/7 response program that helps ensure team members are engaged during the first critical hours following a major accident.

Medical Malpractice

John is familiar with most medical fields, including obstetrics, orthopedics, oncology, anesthesia, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. His clients include physicians and premier teaching hospitals, as well as dentists, nurses, paramedics, podiatrists, radiologists, pathologists, counselors, social workers and other members of the allied health professions in addition to managed care organizations and privately run emergency rooms.

Legal Malpractice

John has considerable experience in this area as well as a keen understanding of the underlying matters at the heart of malpractice claims, which can range from the most basic services to the most sophisticated. Whatever the scope and nature of the underlying claim, John leverages his experience along with GRSM’s vast resources to effectively defend against legal malpractice claims, while seeking alternative paths to resolve them quickly and effectively.

Accounting Malpractice

For the past 10 years, John has worked closely with insureds and experts on cases involving claims of accounting malpractice, including issues such as municipal tax undervaluation, errors on deductions, corporate tax rates and other claims.

Miscellaneous Professionals / E&O

John represents both individuals and institutions with the responsibility for advice and guidance given to clients. He understands the specialized state and federal laws that regulate professionals, knows the practice standards imposed by their self-regulating industry and association boards, and is experienced in litigating both simple and complex cases in state and federal courts, in arbitrations and in administrative hearings.

General Liability / Construction

John assists clients in preventing, mitigating and managing exposure through risk, crises, and claims and litigation advisory services. When construction matters do go to trial, he is among the experienced trial lawyers who can successfully defend such cases in state and federal courts. Successful resolution of construction litigation often involves unraveling complex issues related to liability and other aspects of insurance coverage. John serves clients involved in large commercial and industrial projects as well as the legal needs of school districts, homeowners associations and individuals.

Employment & Labor

In conferring with clients, John takes into consideration the demands of their industries, the history of their businesses and what outcomes would constitute success. Beyond claims handling, he has experience with a broad range of transactional and contract matters, restrictive covenants and non-compete disputes, labor force reductions and grievances under collective bargaining agreements. Working with private- and public-sector employers, John is skilled in all aspects of federal and state employment discrimination laws. He handles cases arising under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. He appears alongside his clients before such administrative and judicial tribunals as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board or the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as state and federal administrative agencies and courts.

Product Liability

John has joined integrated teams to advise clients and to help mount vigorous defenses for their products. His involvement helps ensure a coordinated, cost-effective approach, whether a claim arises out of a product’s design, manufacture or marketing.

Utilities

John keeps abreast of developments in the evolving energy and environmental arena – where it is headed and anticipating how our clients can comply with applicable codes and laws while containing their exposure. He is well-versed in coverage issues surrounding physical damage and liability from upstream and downstream operations and the practices, risks and outside influences that affect utility companies. He regularly defends electric-borne injury and death claims.

Admissions

• Michigan
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan

Memberships

• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar
• Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
• Litigation Counsel of America
• National Retail & Restaurant Defense Association