John Michael Raborn

Partner / Houston

P: 713.447.1852

jraborn@sbsb-eastham.com

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John Michael Raborn

John Michael Raborn is a partner in SBSB Eastham’s Houston office. An experienced trial lawyer, his client portfolio includes Fortune 500 companies, major insurers, industrial equipment manufacturers and suppliers, real estate developers, lenders, creditors, general contractors and subcontractors.

Arriving to SBSB Eastham in November 2023, John Michael focuses his practice on complex business litigation, insurance and construction litigation, though his practice expands into real estate litigation, corporate development and more. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the University of Texas School of Law, he has successfully handled civil appeals before the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Appeals, and he frequently lends his voice as a mediator in high-stakes disputes across multiple arenas.

John Michael is admitted to the State Bar of Texas and all four U.S. District Courts in Texas, and he has been invited to speak at past Property Loss Research Bureau and Liability Insurance Research Bureau regional conferences. Additionally, he has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, earning the highest level of peer recognition for his professional excellence. Pragmatic and thoughtful in his approach, he is a steady voice in all phases of trial, mediation and appeal.

Practice Areas

Appellate
Business Transactions
Insurance
Construction

Practice Areas

Complex Business Litigation
Insurance Coverage and Defense
Construction Defect and Product Liability Litigation
Real Estate Litigation
Business and Real Estate Transactions
Landlord/Tenant Transactions, Negotiations, and Litigation
Mediation
Bankruptcy Creditor’s Rights
Appellate

Education

J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2007
- Managing Editor, Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law
- Student attorney, Juvenile Justice Clinic
- Intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Texas, Tyler
- Intern, First Court of Appeals of Texas under Judge Higley
B.S., Business Administration in Economics, University of Richmond, 2004

Court Admissions

State Bar of Texas
- Trial and Appellate Courts
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Honors and Distinctions

AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Houston’s Top Lawyers by H-Texas Magazine (2017)

Representative Matters

Obtained a rendered judgment in favor of client in a loan dispute in which the client sought to foreclose on commercial real estate that was security for the loan.
Case 2016-12403; Arthur Holdings LP, et al. vs Blackburne & Brown Mortgage Fund I.
Secured a take-nothing judgment on behalf of a property insurer sued for $22 million by a townhouse homeowners association for breach of contract in the insurer’s denial of coverage for roofs the association said were damaged by hail. The association’s claim was dismissed, and it was ordered to pay the property insurer’s defense costs. Case 2008-50184; Summer Hill Village Community Association, Inc. v. Colony Insurance Company.
Obtained a jury verdict for damages and fees on behalf of a boat manufacturer in a contract dispute.
Negotiate and close the purchase of commercial real estate with favorable terms for clients.
Secured judgment in favor of county, disposing of claims by an elected official that he was wrongfully terminated after he announced his candidacy for another position.
Represented a secured creditor in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy that resulted in a confirmed plan and extremely favorable terms for the client.
Represented a creditor in connection with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy and obtained dismissal of the bankruptcy to permit client to proceed with enforcement of judgments against the debtor and related entities.
Secured summary judgement in client’s favor – Case 2021-69656; Gulf Winds International, Inc. v. Richard R. Almanzar, Jr.

Speeches and Presentations

Property Loss Research Bureau/Liability Insurance Research Bureau Conference,
- Water Damage Exclusion – Des Moines, IA and Garden Grove, CA 2013
- Ethical Claim Challenges and Good Faith Claims Handling
  - Dallas, TX, Providence, RI, and Schaumburg, IL 2012
  - Baltimore, MD, Indianapolis, IA, and Sacramento, CA 2011