John Michael Raborn

Partner / Houston

P: 713.447.1852

John Michael Raborn is an experienced trial lawyer representing companies and individuals in all phases of trial, mediation, and appeal. Known for his pragmatic and thoughtful approach, he focuses his practice on matters involving complex business litigation, insurance, construction, and construction litigation. John Michael also represents clients in corporate development and real estate transactions, using his experience to evaluate risks and negotiate to obtain desired results.

John Michael’s expertise includes mediating high-stake disputes that involve negligence, personal injury, premises liability, contract disputes, condominium association disputes, landlord–tenant disputes, insurance claims, and subrogation recovery, among others. He’s successfully handled civil appeals before the Texas Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Texas. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, major insurers, industrial equipment manufacturers and suppliers, real estate developers, lenders, creditors, general contractors, and subcontractors.

John Michael is regularly invited to speak at the Property Loss Research Bureau/Liability Insurance Research Bureau regional conferences, where he advises on good faith claims and insurance coverage matters.

Practice Areas

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

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence, 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
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in economics, University of Richmond (2004)

Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (trial and appellate courts)
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • United States 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.

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