John D. Balaguer Partner

John Balaguer has over 25 years of experience defending complex tort cases and is one of the premiere trial lawyers in the State of Delaware.  John is frequently sought out by insurers as well as self insured institutions and individuals to handle matters involving intricate liability issues, catastrophic damages and cutting edge legal theories.  He focuses his practice on healthcare litigation, particularly claims of medical negligence, as well as claims against non-medical professionals, product liability and premises liability matters.  John also represents insurers in coverage disputes, including those alleging bad faith.

John’s depth of experience allows him to provide his clients with early and accurate damage assessments, access to leading experts in the field and a proven track record of success before juries, trial judges and administrative tribunals.  John’s courtroom reputation also serves to facilitate successful alternative dispute resolution, when trial is not the best option.

In addition to his extensive trial practice, John frequently appears in appellate matters before the Delaware Supreme Court.

As a result of his thorough knowledge of the Delaware state and federal courts, John also is often asked to serve as local counsel in high stakes insurance coverage and commercial litigation in Delaware. 

John has managed the firm’s Delaware office since its opening in 1989.  He has served on the firm’s Operations Committee and is currently a member of the Executive Committee. 

Representative Matters

• Lead trial counsel in four week trial of nine figure multi-excess carrier insurance coverage dispute involving exhaustion, trigger, and defense issues arising from thousands of underlying asbestos personal injury claims.
• Defense of Medical Society of Delaware in first of its kind class action arising out of the alleged sexual molestation of hundreds of children by  pediatrician Earl Bradley.
• Defense of physicians and hospitals in cases filed on behalf of brain damaged infants, children and adults

Recognition & Involvement

John has been recognized as a Delaware "Super Lawyer" in a survey of his peers by Law & Politics magazine and as a "Top Lawyer in the State" by Delaware Today Magazine.  He is also a Fellow in the elite American College of Trial Lawyers, widely considered to be the premier professional trial organization in America.

John served for 12 years in the Delaware National Guard, achieving the rank of Major.  He has been a volunteer coach and judge for high school mock trial competitions in Delaware and Pennsylvania as well as a judge for the National High School Mock Trial competition.  He serves on the Board of Trustees of the New Castle Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served on the Board of Trustees of Trinity Presbyterian Church and as a member of the New Castle Presbytery’s Permanent Judicial Commission.  For a week each summer, John does volunteer emergency home repair with the Appalachia Service Project.