John Holman Barr is a trial lawyer who has handled general civil litigation and appellate matters for 39 years. His practice includes commercial and business disputes, defamation and Anti-Slapp, aviation, personal injury, construction defect, product liability, dram shop, heavy equipment, transportation, professional liability, insurance and extracontractual claims involving insurance companies. Mr. Barr routinely handles pre-litigation investigation of catastrophic losses. By way of example, Mr. Barr and his team were called to head the investigation of the Aeroperu Flight 603 disaster that included the recovery of 72 persons who fell to the ocean floor at a depth of 700 feet and lost lives when Aeroperu Flight 603 crashed off the coast of Peru in 1996. He subsequently handled three later commercial airline accidents. Mr. Barr and his team were also called to the scene with the Port Isabel Bridge Collapse at Padre Island in 2001. In addition, he handles administrative and security matters for international airlines before the Federal Aviation Administration, Homeland Security, and related agencies. Mr. Barr has served and continues to serve as outside counsel and coordination counsel for large multinational manufacturers and oversees retained counsel on ligation matters pending in the United States. Mr. Barr has represented and negotiated transactions on behalf of Aeromexico, international hotels, and various entertainers.Mr. Barr, a Dallas native, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Risk Management/Finance from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. In 1980, he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where he was recognized as an outstanding Alumni in 2016.
John Holman Barr
Aero Peru Flight 603
October 2, 1996
SAMPLING OF CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Appointed Coordination counsel for US Litigation Vitro-Carisa, Vitro Packaging, and Besteel Industries
Coordinated litigation and legal affairs in the United States of America for various Republic of Mexico entities and business entities including the following:
Ministry of Energy Republic of Mexico
Bancomer Bank
Attorney General Mexico
Banco Serfin
Aeromexico Airlines
Seguros Monterrey
Aeroperu Airlines
Proctor and Gamble
Vitro-CRISA Corporation
Aerolitoral Airlines
Intermex Trading Corporation
Aeromar Airlines
Troqueleos, S.A. de C.V.
Mexicana Airlines
Aceros prcelanizados, S.A. de C.V.
Vitro, Appliance S.A.Industrias Basicas, S.A. de C.V.
Vitro Packaging, Inc. (Bottles & Containers)
V.V.P. America, Inc. (Flat Glass & Auto Glass)
Zurich Insurance Group
Ace Insurance
Farmers Insurance
Nationwide Insurance
Many additional insurance companies (references available upon request)
Represented NFL Security Contractor in multiple injury cases during Super Bowl 45
Handles international trade and national security issues with the Mexican Government
Handles U. S. Federal regulatory and Security matters for Mexican Airlines
Employed in 1994 by the State of Texas Republican Party in charge of litigation matters and various lawsuits
Appointed Coordination Counsel for all General Liability Claims in the State of Texas for Scottsdale Insurance Company 1992-1993
Headed the investigation of the Aeroperu Flight 603 Disaster and three subsequent commercial airline crashes
Conducted pre-litigation investigation of the Padre Island/Port Isabel Bridge Collapse in 2001
RECOGNITIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, FACULTY EXPERIENCE, PUBLICATIONS
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Rated "Very High" by Martindale-Hubbell in the Legal Ability and General Recommendations Categories from Approximately 1989 to Present
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Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist (National Board of Trial Advocacy) and has held that certification consistently since June 27, 2000.
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Board Certified Pre-Trial Civil Specialist (National Board of Trial Advocacy) and has held that certification consistently since June 27, 2007
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Texas Monthly Magazine, Texas Top Lawyer 2006 – 2018
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The Wall Street Journal, Best Lawyers In Texas 2017
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Texas Top Rated Attorney - Legal Leader 2013
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“Best” Designated Trial Attorney 2015
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“Top Attorney’s List” by survey of 3500 attorneys and published in Fort Worth Magazine “The City’s Best Attorneys” November 2001
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Author and Lecturer of Lost Profit Damages presented at 7th Damages in Civil Litigation Symposium sponsored by the State Bar of Texas, February 26-27, 2015, Houston, Texas
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Author and Lecturer of Lost Profit Damages presented at 8th Damages in Civil Litigation Symposium sponsored by the State Bar of Texas, 2016
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Guest Lecturer at St. Mary’s University School of Law
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Distinguished Alumni of St. Mary’s University School of Law 2016
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Masters Certification Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
COURT ADMISSIONS, PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, AND COMMUNITY
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Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1980; Admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court. Appointed Special Prosecutor by Commissioner's Court Rockwall County 1990. Appointed Special Prosecutor by 44th Judicial District Court of Dallas County 1985. Appointed Special Prosecutor by 304th Judicial District Court of Dallas County 1993. Mr. Barr has previously been appointed Special Court Master by 255th; 302nd; and 303rd Judicial District Courts of Dallas County.
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Texas Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute; Trial Lawyers Association; Board Member North Texas Council of Governments Criminal Justice Policy Development Committee (approves all state and federal law enforcement grants for 16 counties of North Texas); National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association
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Mr. Barr is active in State, Local and International Bar Associations, as well as community activities. He is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and was appointed to the Legal Ethics Committee for the Dallas Bar Association for the years 2011-2012 and 2013 – 2014. He served on the Board of Dallas Bar Section from 1984-1990 and was Chairman of Dallas Local Civil Rules of Court Revision Committee 1988. In addition, Mr. Bar is a member of the Fort Worth Bar Association., Board Member 1987-1997 of the State Bar of Texas Court Cost Efficiency and Delay Committee, and Member of the College of State Bar of Texas. Mr. Barr is a member of the U.S. Mexican Bar Association. Locally, he has served on the Oak Cliff Gateway Task Force beginning in 2011; Chairman of Legal Committee and Advisor to the Pastor of his church; and Bishop Lynch Catholic High School Black & White Ball Gift and Donation Vice-Chairman. He has previously been active in the Dallas Independent School District, served on various committees for the City of Dallas, served on the Dallas County Board of Juvenile System Mentoring Program, and served 5 terms on the Board of Directors Dallas Crime Commission. Mr. Barr was appointed by the Mayor and City Council as the Graffiti Czar of Dallas for his efforts in removing graffiti from public roadways, bridges, and overpasses in the city of Dallas.