Margolis Edelstein
Q
Margolis Edelstein



People

Practices

Client Success

Legal Insights

Offices

Q
Attorney Headshot
John A. Livingood, Jr.
Partner
Office: Philadelphia, PA
D: (215) 931-5868
C: (215) 738-0879
For over 30 years, partner John Livingood has defended insured and self-insured entities in casualty litigation. He represents individuals and local, regional, and national corporations in complex, high-exposure litigation throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Attorney Headshot
John A. Livingood, Jr.
Partner
Philadelphia, PA
D: (215) 931-5868
C: (215) 738-0879

For over 30 years, partner John Livingood has defended insured and self-insured entities in casualty litigation. He represents individuals and local, regional, and national corporations in complex, high-exposure litigation throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

John has extensive major jury and non-jury trial experience in the Philadelphia region, having tried over 50 matters to verdict. He regularly serves as excess counsel for carriers, assuming responsibility for and trying cases anywhere from three months to 48 hours before trial. He leads a team of experienced, efficient and tenacious litigators.  He leverages the firm’s industry-leading technology to deliver innovative, data-driven litigation solutions tailored to client needs.

John has extensive experience managing and coordinating large-scale legal projects, including overseeing multi-attorney litigation teams and implementing comprehensive claims review programs. In the In re: Market East litigation, he served as primary liaison defense counsel, coordinating briefing and argument across multiple defense firms for hundreds of pretrial motions, as well as organizing damages defenses, expert strategy, and trial preparation.

He also leads the firm’s Claims File Review & Resolution Consulting service, which assists insurance carriers, including global insurers and corporations, in efficiently evaluating and resolving high volumes of claims. Drawing on his deep background in insurance defense, John oversees detailed file reviews and provides strategic recommendations on claim viability, resolution pathways, and cost projections. His team’s work helps clients manage reserves, reduce litigation exposure, and ensure consistency and compliance in claims handling, delivering the legal insight necessary to drive informed, cost-effective outcomes across both routine and complex matters.

Areas of Practice

Education

  • Widener University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Bucknell University (B.A.)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, New Jesey

Professional Affiliations

  • Defense Research Institute
  • Pennsylvania Defense Institute
  • Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel

Honors

  • AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated
  • Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants since 2026
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
  • Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, articles editor
  • Past President — Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel
  • In re: Market Street Building Collapse — Primary insurance defense counsel for collapsed building owner in the longest jury trial in Philadelphia history.
  • Schulze v. Sautter Crane— Obtained complete recovery of all defense costs in a bench trial on enforcement of a contractual indemnity clause.
  • Turner v. Bowman — Defense verdict in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for driver of a disabled vehicle struck by a school bus on a major highway.
  • Smith v. Marchetti — Defense verdict in motor vehicle liability case where the matter was transferred to Mr. Livingood just 72 hours before jury selection.
  • Seidel v. White’s Harley Davidson — Summary judgment for a motorcycle dealership in a products liability action based on plaintiff’s spoliation of evidence.
  • Elliott Lewis Corporation v. 101 Walnut — Obtained a near full recovery of all amounts owed to a subcontractor from an owner and lender on a distressed condominium project through use of mechanic’s liens and litigation.
  • Deon v. Bergeys — Summary judgment for a retread tire manufacturer in a personal injury action, arguing that the plaintiff could not prove a defect in the product.
  • Depew v. Sautter Crane — Defense verdict for a crane owner and operator in a significant personal injury action brought by an injured worker.
  • Quinn v. Carroll Valley Resort — Defended a local resort against a significant dram shop action, with no recovery by plaintiff.
  • Smith v. Elliott Lewis Corp. — Defense verdict in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in favor of jet bridge maintenance company in fall down claim by an airline employee.
  • Chizkov v. Moore — Defense verdict in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for motor vehicle operator who struck plaintiff, an adult bicyclist, resulting in multiple cervical fractures and surgery.
  • Thomas v. Elliott Lewis — Obtained complete recovery of all defense and settlement costs in a bench trial on enforcement of a contractual indemnity clause.
  • “Handling UTPCPL Claims” October 2023
  • PBI – Distracted Driving
  • PBI – Fair Share Act