John C. Bonnie

John Bonnie leads the firm's Insurance Coverage Practice Group. This national practice is devoted exclusively to complex commercial disputes, arbitration and litigation, particularly matters addressing obligations arising out of insurance contracts, written agreements to indemnify and other means of shifting and allocating risk.

John's practice runs the gamut of insurance coverage obligations implicated by first-party insurance claims and third-party liability claims, including claims advice and counseling, representation of carriers in coverage arbitration and litigation, and defense of claims alleging insurer bad faith and extra-contractual liability. His experience includes complex commercial and insurance arbitration matters, multi-party insurance litigation, London and Bermuda market policies and disputes, and national coordinating counsel roles for insurers involved in large dollar risk litigation matters.  

University of Arizona, B.A., with honors, 1985

University of South Carolina, J.D., 1991
Order of Wig and Robe

• State Bar of Georgia
• South Carolina Bar
• U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v. Papa John's Int'l, Inc., 29 F. Supp. 3d 961 (W.D. Ky. 2014).  Coverage dispute arising out of TCPA liability under commercial general liability insurance policy.

Uniwest Construction, Inc. v. Amtech Elevator Services, Inc., 281 Va. 509, S.E.2d (2011). Coverage dispute arising out of death/injury on construction project under umbrella liability insurance policy.

Uniwest Construction, Inc. v. Amtech Elevator Services, Inc., 280 Va. 428, 699 S.E.2d 223 (2010). Coverage dispute arising out of death/injury on construction project under umbrella liability insurance policy.

(2009) Trial in Indiana State Court in action between insureds of two liability insurance carriers regarding the alleged obligation to procure coverage under commercial general liability insurance policy pursuant to written contract.

Southwire Co. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA, 2009 WL 1139485 (11th Cir., Apr. 29, 2009). Coverage dispute arising out of aircraft product liability exclusion under umbrella liability insurance policy.

Dueco, Inc. v. Terex-Telelect, Inc.,900 N.E.2d 832 (Ind. App. 2009). Dispute regarding applicability and enforceability of contractual indemnity provision.

(2009) Trial in Virginia State Court in action between liability insurance carriers regarding respective obligations of insureds to indemnify and procure insurance.

Choate Constr. Co. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA. Coverage dispute arising out of construction defect liability under umbrella liability insurance policy.

USMoney Source, Inc. v. American International Specialty Lines Ins. Co., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2966 (N.D.Ga., Jan. 15, 2008). Coverage dispute arising out of errors and omissions policy.

Dowdell v. Volvo Commercial Finance, 286 Ga. App. 659, 649 S.E.2d 750 (2007). Coverage dispute arising out of commercial auto insurance policy.

South Hills Associates, LLC v. Nutmeg Ins. Co., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 95412 (N.D.Ga., Feb. 8, 2007). Coverage dispute arising out of property insurance policy.

Herbalife Int'l, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19180 (N.D.WV., Mar. 30, 2006). Coverage dispute arising out of umbrella liability insurance policy.

Penn National Ins. Co. v. Ely Wall & Ceilings, Inc., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19180, D.SC, Mar. 6, 2006). Coverage dispute arising out of construction liability.

Hooters of Augusta, Inc. v. American Global Ins. Co., 157 Fed. Appx. 201 (11th Cir. 2005). Coverage dispute arising out of umbrella liability insurance policy.

GuideOne Life Ins. Co. v. Ward, 275 Ga. App., 619 S.E.2d 723 (2005). Coverage dispute arising out of life insurance policy.

Mariner Healthcare Inc. v. Indemnity Ins. Co. of N. Am., Inc., 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29914 (N.D. Tx. Sept. 20, 2004). Coverage dispute arising out of property insurance policy.

Sorema N. Am. Reinsurance Co. v. Johnson, 258 Ga. App. 304, 574 S.E.2d 377 (2002). Coverage dispute arising out of property insurance policy.

Stewart v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co., 230 Ga. App. 265, 495 S.E.2d 882 (1998). Coverage dispute arising out of general liability insurance policy.

Chicago Ins. Co. v. Central Mutual Ins. Co., 229 Ga. App. 291, 494 S.E.2d 1 (1997). Coverage dispute arising out of general liability and excess liability insurance policies.

Southern Guarantee Ins. Co. v. Central Mutual Ins. Co., 214 Ga. App. 662, 449 S.E.2d 3 (1994). Coverage dispute arising out of automobile liability insurance policy.

Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year"- Insurance Law, 2021

Best Lawyers in America®, Insurance Law, 2013-2024

Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation Insurance, 2019-2024

Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2024

Super Lawyers Magazine, Georgia Super Lawyers List, Insurance Coverage (2007-2024) 

Terex Corporation, Outstanding Counsel Award for achievements in representation (2009)

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Insurance, Band 1 (2021 - 2023)

American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee

• Committee Co-Chair (2022 - 2024)
• Website Editor-in-Chief (past)
• Subcommittee Co-Chair (past)

American College of Coverage Counsel

• Appointed as Member of the Board of Regents (2022 - 2024)
• Fellow
• Co-Chair Professionalism and Ethics Committee

Atlanta Bar Association – Lincoln on Professionalism Project Committee (2009)

Defense Research Institute, Member

Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Member