Biography

A partner at Jones Day based in the firm's Pittsburgh office, John Goetz is a first-chair lawyer with 30 years of experience defending companies in business and tort litigation. He has defended multinational companies such as Doncasters, Parker Hannifin, Penske Automotive, Pilatus Aircraft, R.J. Reynolds, Textron, U. S. Steel, Yamaha, and WESCO in trial and appellate courts across the U.S. and in Canada. He has litigated complex commercial disputes and has defended product liability actions in multiple forums. He has also counseled companies in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. He obtained several injunctions preventing the federal government from enforcing a key provision of the Affordable Care Act in a landmark case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Goetz is a recognized authority in aviation and transportation litigation. A licensed pilot, he leads Jones Day's airlines and aviation industry practice. He was central to trial teams for Parker Hannifin in aviation litigation involving the crash of a former Missouri governor's plane and in USAir Flight 427. He also led the team representing Parker in post-trial proceedings and MDL litigation arising out of Silk Air Flight 185. John represents clients in NTSB investigations and in FAA proceedings.

Goetz teaches deposition skills and negotiation skills as an adjunct professor at Duquesne University School of Law.

He has published articles on litigation strategy, is a frequent speaker at aviation and other seminars, and he has served as a hearing committee officer for the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board. Goetz has been board president for Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh and its Free Health Care Center, and he serves on boards for the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, Franciscan University of Steubenville, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Education

  • J.D., Notre Dame Law School, 1986

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