Professional Biography

Jonathan G. Hardin Partner

loader

Overview

An experienced litigator and trusted advisor, Jonathan represents companies in complex insurance coverage claims and other commercial disputes. He has recovered nearly $400 million for insurance policyholders and has successfully defended clients against alleged liabilities in excess of $2 billion. Jonathan’s clients span all industries and range from startups to Fortune 100 companies.

Insurance Recovery Litigation and Settlements

Jonathan helps policyholders pursue claims under all commercial lines of coverage. He has tried multiple cases to verdict, argued state and federal appeals, and negotiated dozens of favorable settlements. He has particular experience litigating and resolving so-called “long tail” claims, where losses or alleged damages span multiple years (or decades) and trigger numerous policy periods and insurers. For example, Jonathan was lead counsel in a decade-long dispute with more than a dozen insurers over coverage for benzene toxic tort claims. After a four-day trial and coverage settlements with most of the insurers, the case culminated in a decision from the Supreme Court of North Carolina on multiple issues of first impression. Radiator Specialty Co. v. Arrowood Indemnity Co., et al., 881 S.E.2d 597 (N.C. 2022).

Jonathan has litigated and settled with most major insurance carriers operating in the United States, as well as insurers operating in the London, Bermuda, European, and Japanese markets. For example, in 2020-21, he obtained one of the largest COVID-19 insurance recoveries in the world from underwriters at Lloyd’s of London and other London market companies. And in 2022, he obtained summary judgment awarding directors and officers (D&O) coverage for false advertising and consumer protection class actions. G-New, Inc. dba Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. v. Endurance Am. Ins. Co., et al., 2022 WL 4128608 (Del. Super. Ct. Sept. 12, 2022).

Insurance Counseling

Jonathan also maintains an active insurance counseling practice—advising on claims, policy renewals, and insurance provisions in commercial contracts—to help clients maximize coverage and minimize risk. With more than 15 years’ experience, he has developed practice depth in virtually all commercial lines of coverage, including property and casualty; business interruption; commercial general liability (CGL); product liability and completed operations; contingency and event cancellation; builder’s risk; cyber insurance; professional liability (E&O); D&O liability; employment practices liability (EPL); crime and fidelity; owner-controlled and contractor-controlled insurance programs (OCIP and CCIP); and pollution liability.

Recognition and Thought Leadership

Jonathan was named a Law360 “Rising Star” in 2021, recognizing him as one of the top lawyers under 40 nationwide. He has written and presented on emerging issues, such as D&O liability in the wake of recent bank failures, avoiding and responding to ransomware attacks, insurance coverage for COVID-19 losses, and adapting e-discovery protocols and document retention policies to the proliferation of virtual meetings.

Professional Recognition

  • Named a “Rising Star” in Law360, 2021
  • Listed in Washington D.C. Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star", 2016 – 2018, 2021 – 2022

Related Employment

  • Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C., Associate, 2009 – 2013

Clerkships

  • Hon. Bobby E. Shepherd, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2008 - 2009

Experience

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Arkansas
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas

Education

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 2008, Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
  • Ouachita Baptist University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2005