Overview
John Pitblado has extensive experience as a litigator and trial lawyer in defending complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving product liability, construction accidents, premises liability, insurance coverage, indemnity, and other risk-transfer matters, with an emphasis on the sports and entertainment and education industries, as well as emerging industries such as assisted reproductive technology and cannabis. John has handled numerous high-profile, high-value matters for insurers, IVF service providers, cannabis companies, concert and sports venue owners and operators, prep schools, colleges, and universities, among others.
John also regularly handles property litigation matters, obtaining foreclosure, summary judgment, and trial verdicts, on behalf of insured property owners and lenders in real property litigation involving adverse possession, prescriptive easement, quiet title, foreclosure, and other property matters.
John regularly handles cases before Connecticut's state and federal trial and appellate courts, including Connecticut's complex litigation docket, and bankruptcy court, and has argued and/or briefed numerous cases before the Connecticut appellate and supreme courts, as well as the First, Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals as pro hac vice counsel.
John regularly counsels clients, speaks, and writes on a range of insurance, indemnity, and premises liability issues.
John has been recognized for his pro bono work, including civil rights matters, educational outreach in underserved communities, immigration, and representation of minor children subject to neglect and abuse petitions brought by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families in Connecticut's juvenile courts.
Experience
Obtained and extended civil protective order in favor of prestigious Connecticut prep school with respect to long-running and violent threats from respondent felon, after evidentiary hearing/trial in Connecticut Superior Court's confidential CPO docket.
Represented prominent cannabis industry CEO in contract and property disputes arising from the only fully zoned and licensed outdoor cannabis production facility in Connecticut, including partition dispute where the town later enacted a cannabis moratorium, and successfully shepherding a contingent settlement agreement through local zoning approval, and ultimately resulting in the client obtaining a deed to a 20-acre outdoor production facility, which retained its cannabis zoning despite moratorium.
Represented IVF service provider in complex product liability mass action centered in Connecticut, including more than 60 cases consolidated at the complex litigation docket in Connecticut Superior Court, as well as a class action and several other individual cases in the U.S. district court, including successfully briefing and arguing a motion to dismiss punitive damages claims under the Connecticut Product Liability Act.
Obtained summary judgment for commercial lender client in quiet title action involving allegedly fraudulent recording of wild quitclaim deed, in order to proceed with commercial foreclosure.
Represented insurer client as coverage counsel with respect to underlying catastrophic child drowning case at municipal park operated by private recreational park designer/operator.
Obtained complete dismissal for insurer client in New Hampshire Superior Court coverage action involving underlying mass action against numerous state-run juvenile disciplinary facilities and schools involving allegations of decades of physical abuse and sexual assault of minors in the facilities' care.
Represented insurer client in complex excess coverage dispute involving underlying medical malpractice action in Pennsylvania.
Obtained complete dismissal on the pleadings on behalf of leading global concert services provider in case involving drunk driving fatality allegedly caused by concert patron, which decision was upheld on appeal.
Represented university with respect to alleged catastrophic injury claims made by NCAA Division I student athlete in connection with allegations targeting athletic trainers and coaches in alleged handling of spinal injury resulting in multiple surgeries, and multimillion-dollar demand.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of prestigious prep school in case alleging reverse discrimination in disciplinary proceedings resulting in expulsion of plaintiff student for use of racial slurs.
Obtained defense verdict for university client in jury trial in case brought by graduating student claiming traumatic brain and other injuries related to a fall on graduation day.
Obtained summary judgment on all counts as to all plaintiffs in premises liability matter against prestigious Connecticut prep school, including claims of catastrophic injuries, bystander distress, and in the face of multimillion-dollar demands.
Obtained defense verdict after two-week jury trial in favor of defendant boarding school client in case brought by international student who sustained catastrophic injuries during school cycling activity, including claims of traumatic brain injury and more than $1.2 million in medical care, and $26 million "ask" of jury.
Represented leading global concert services provider in wrongful death case arising from alleged altercation resulting in fatal head injury.
Represented university in tragic and well-publicized wrongful death case involving student death in on-campus eating contest sponsored by Greek life affiliate.
Obtained summary judgment for prestigious prep school in case alleging catastrophic injuries arising from construction accident, and involving complex indemnity and risk-transfer issues.
Obtained summary judgment for university client regarding claims arising from soccer-related traumatic brain injury.
Represented leading global concert services provider in multiple wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims arising from shooting in parking lot after concert that left two dead and others wounded.
Obtained dismissal on the pleadings of all counts against insurer-owned staff counsel law firm on alleged bad faith subrogation claim involving purported assignment of legal malpractice claim against insured's defense counsel.
Obtained judgment in insured client's favor after bench trial regarding quiet title, easement, prescriptive easement, and other claims in case involving alleged "landlocked" property.
Represented property insurer in class action arising from wildfire claims, obtaining complete dismissal of claims on Rule 8, 9, and 12 grounds, upheld on appeal through the Tenth Circuit, and denial of certiorari at U.S. Supreme Court.
Drafted amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on behalf of amicus party, a consortium of life insurers, in support of prevailing party life insurer in excessive fee 401(k) dispute between plan sponsor and insurer.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of bank client in case alleging fraudulent concealment, unfair trade practices, bad faith, and numerous other claims, and successfully defended on appeal at Connecticut Appellate Court and denial of certiorari by Connecticut Supreme Court.
Drafted brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on behalf of amicus party, a consortium of life insurers, in support of prevailing party in participant denial of disability benefits putative class action case.
Obtained defense verdict on behalf of prestigious Connecticut prep school after bench trial in negligent security claim involving alleged catastrophic traumatic brain injury and orthopedic injuries brought by student arising from purported malicious vehicle sabotage resulting in one-car accident.
Drafted brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on behalf of amicus party, a consortium of life insurers, in support of appellant/cross-appellee/prevailing party insurer in retained asset account class action against service provider/insurer.
Drafted brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on behalf of amicus party, a consortium of life insurers, in support of retirement plan service provider in 401(k) fee dispute.
Drafted brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on behalf of amicus party, a consortium of life insurers, in support of appellant/prevailing party plan service provider in 401(k) fee dispute.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of life insurer in suicide/substance abuse exclusion case involving high-profile murder of Greenwich millionaire.
Represented life insurer in nationwide class action regarding 401(k) fee dispute between plan sponsor and service provider.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of insurer regarding motor vehicle exclusion involving ATV accident in roadway of private development, which decision was upheld on appeal to both the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and Connecticut Supreme Court.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of insurer in coverage dispute regarding aggregate limits in multiple-death car accident, and successfully briefed and argued appeal at Connecticut Appellate Court.
Obtained summary judgment in dispute regarding procedural time limits for re-argument, and statutory four-month period in which to reopen cases, and successfully briefed and argued appeal at Connecticut Appellate Court.
News & Insights
News
Publications
Speaking Engagements
"Insuring Climate Change," Connecticut Bar Association Insurance Law Section Meeting, Berlin, CT (May 14, 2026)
"Six Most Common Coverage Mistakes," Connecticut Bar Association Insurance Law Section Meeting (February 26, 2025)
"Deposing the Opposing Expert" and "Admission Hurdles for Expert Testimony," Attorneys' Complete Guide to Experts in Connecticut Civil Litigation, NBI (December 17, 2024)
"Negligent Security Litigation: Preparing for the Unexpected," National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition, Phoenix, AZ (November 9, 2021)
"ERISA, Anti-Subrogation, and Collateral Sources," Connecticut Bar Association Insurance Law Section (January 12, 2021)
"A Practical Look at Directors and Officers Insurance," Connecticut Legal Conference, Hartford, CT (June 11, 2018)
"Have You Been Robbed? Fidelity and Crime Insurance in a Nutshell," Connecticut Bar Association Insurance Law Section, Hartford, CT (May 8, 2017)
"Cyber Security, Wire Transfers, and Insurance," Regulatory Fundamentals Group (February 28, 2017)
"Cybersecurity Issues for the Contract Examiner and Market Conduct Examiner," Career Development Seminar and Regulatory Skills Workshop, Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society, Scottsdale, AZ (August 8, 2016)
"Latest Developments in Cyber Risk," Insured Retirement Institute Cybersecurity Forum, Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2016)
"Fifty Shades of Indemnity," RIMS Connecticut Valley Chapter, Hartford, CT (October 14, 2015)
"What Insurance Lawyers Need to Know About Claims Handling Software," ExecSense Webinars (July 7, 2011)
"What Insurance Lawyers Need to Know About the New Generation of Pollution Legal Liability and Related Environmental Insurance Policies and the Potential for Litigation Over Duty to Defend Under These Policies," ExecSense (December 3, 2010)
"The Instant Impact on Insurance Lawyers of Baker v. National Interstate Insurance Co. on Products and Completed Hazards Exclusions and Negligent Service Claims," ExecSense (February 5, 2010)
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Multimedia
Recognition
Honors & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America (2023–2027)
Connecticut Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2019–2026)
New England Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine (2008–2013)
Pro Bono Honor Roll, Connecticut Lawyer (2010)
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.
Professional & Community Involvement
Professional & Community Involvement
John chairs the Connecticut Bar Association's Insurance Law Section, where he serves on the executive committee, and previously co-chaired the Appellate Committee of its Young Lawyers Section. He co-edits the American Bar Association's Class Action and Derivative Suits Quarterly newsletter. He serves on the board of directors of Lawyers for Children America Inc., a nonprofit providing legal representation to children in Department of Children and Families proceedings, where he served as president and interim treasurer.
Beyond the Bio
John's service has centered on children in the child welfare system and the lawyers who represent them, and he also leads Connecticut's insurance bar. At the firm, he is an editor of the Reinsurance & Arbitration Focus blog, covering reinsurance and arbitration developments.
At the University of Connecticut School of Law, John served as associate editor of the Connecticut Law Review.
Related Capabilities
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Education
J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law
B.A., University of Vermont
