Jonathan R. Villien

About

Jon focuses his practice on representing clients in third- and first-party liability disputes in the state and federal courts of Louisiana, including automobile liability (bodily injury, uninsured/underinsured motorist, property damage, subrogation, bad faith, and coverage), vicarious liability, premises liability, professional liability, general negligence, and commercial contract claims. 

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Prior to joining the firm, Jon was in-house litigation counsel for a large automobile insurance carrier during which time he successfully defended a high volume of BI and UM/UIM cases in a first chair capacity. Jon also previously represented healthcare providers (including doctors, nurses, hospitals, and surgical centers) and their insurers in medical malpractice litigation and general healthcare transactional/compliance matters. Additionally, he represented governmental entities and newspaper publications in civil litigation and public records proceedings, provided general business and employment law advice to small businesses, and advised individuals in a variety of civil matters.

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Outside of his law practice, Jon is an adjunct professor of legal writing and research at Tulane University and an assistant bar examiner for the Louisiana Supreme Court. He enjoys playing music; following local sports teams; and most of all, spending time with his wife, Sarah, and son, Everett.

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Practice Areas​

• Insurance Defense, Third- and First-Party

• Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith

• General Civil Litigation

• Professional Liability

• Healthcare Law

 

Notable Representations

• Obtained multiple summary judgments in favor of automobile liability insurer on various coverage issues

• Obtained summary judgment in favor of hospital dismissing spoliation claim in 16th JDC

• Obtained decision in LA Third Circuit Court of Appeal in professional liability action affirming summary judgment in favor of hospital on the issue of lack of expert evidence

• Obtained decision in LA Third Circuit Court of Appeal in professional liability action affirming judgment of prescription in favor of a cardiovascular surgeon and nurse practitioner

• Obtained decision in LA Third Circuit Court of Appeal reversing summary judgment and granting coverage in favor of individual under a title insurance policy

• Secured partial defense verdict as first chair in favor of automobile bodily injury liability insurer and policyholder in CDC bench trial

• Secured partial defense verdict as first chair in favor of automobile underinsured motorist liability insurer in 22nd JDC bench trial

• Secured partial defense verdict as second chair in favor of hospital in premises liability case in 16th JDC jury trial

• Successfully mediated numerous automobile bodily injury liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist liability, general liability, and professional liability claims

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Education

• Tulane University Law School, J.D., 2011

  • Tulane Law Review, Member, Vol. 84; Managing Editor, Vol. 85

  • Certificate of Civil Law

• Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., 2008-2009

  • Mississippi College Law Review (accepted candidate)

  • Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society

  • Dean’s List, Fall 2008 and Spring 2009

  • American Jurisprudence Award (highest grade), Torts I

• Loyola University New Orleans, B.A., 2008

  • Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society

  • Loyola Society for Civic Engagement

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2005 (Hurricane Katrina semester)

  • Dean’s List, Fall 2005

 

Honors and Achievements

• Assistant Bar Examiner, Torts, appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court, 2017-present

• Louisiana Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2024

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Experience

• Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing & Research, Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business,

         2021-present

• Legal Coach, Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business, 2011-present

• Law Office of Roberto R. Arostegui-GEICO Staff Counsel, Litigation Attorney, 2017-2022

• Durio McGoffin Stagg & Ackermann, Senior Associate Attorney, 2012-2017

• 15th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office, Volunteer Public Defender

• Hon. Tucker Melançon, United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, Law Clerk

• Orleans Parish District Attorney, Law Clerk

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Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Jonathan R. Villien, Law Firm Business Associate Compliance with HIPAA and HITECH, Louisiana Hospital Association Impact Lawbrief, February/March 2015

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Admissions

• Louisiana

• United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana

• United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana

• Chitimacha Tribal Courts of Louisiana

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Memberships & Affiliations

• Louisiana State Bar Association

• New Orleans Bar Association

• Tulane University Law School, Law Alumni Reunions, Class of 2011 Committee Member

• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Donor

• Friends of City Park, Member

• Red Hot Gentilly Peppers, Bassist/Guitarist