Jack McKinley
Contact Info:
Jack McKinley, Of Counsel
(713) 260-1607
jmm@ramey-chandler.com
Jack has practiced almost exclusively in the areas of coverage and appellate law since 1990, except for the occasional foray into civil rights defense or commercial litigation. He is a 1979 graduate of the University of Texas School of law and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas. Jack is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Jack joined the firm in 2000, having been a longstanding partner with Brian Chandler since 1981 at a prior law firm.
Jack was a board certified personal injury trial lawyer in the 1980s, including maritime and civil rights lawsuits, but left that field in 1990 for an insurance coverage and appellate practice. Jack’s work since 1990 has consisted of writing coverage opinions, litigating coverage and extra-contractual lawsuits, and handling appeals. His extra-contractual lawsuits are primarily third party—defending an insurer in a dispute over the existence of liability coverage. Jack has tried at least 30 lawsuits, handled almost 50 appeals, and written or edited more than 1,000 coverage opinions. He seeks to avoid trial via summary judgment yet—unlike many coverage lawyers—he has extensive and successful trial experience.
Education:
University of Texas Law School
Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1979
Texas International Law Journal
University of Texas
Bachelor of Arts, History, 1976
Phi Beta Kappa
Claremont-McKenna College, Claremont, California
May 1973 to December 1974
Professional Honors and Activities:
Memberships:
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Courts for all districts of Texas
- State Bar of Texas
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston Bar Foundation
Publications:
Multiple insurance coverage papers for law school CLE seminars.
Representative Cases:
Lingafelter v. Shupe, 192 S.W.3d 577 (Tex. 2006) (PI-Auto). Reversed court of appeals, which had reversed a defense verdict for refusal to submit negligent entrustment, even though jury found driver not negligent. Any error was harmless.
State Farm Lloyds v. Vaughan, 968 S.W.2d 931 (Tex. 1998) (Insurance coverage—general). A significant decision that reversed court of appeals and reinstated summary judgment for insurer. Registered child care provider’s regular abandonment of small children to run errands was not within exception to business exclusion for acts “ordinarily incidental to non-business pursuits.” Court distinguished State Farm v. Reed re: similar issue.
Timberwalk Apartments, Partners, Inc. v. Cain, 972 S.W.2d 749 (Tex. 1998) (Premises liability—security). A landmark decision that reversed court of appeals and reinstated jury verdict for apartment complex. Rejected alleged liability based upon inadequate security and failure to prevent serial rapist’s attack. Declared new standard for liability in premises security lawsuits.
Trinity Universal Ins. Co. v. Cowan, 945 S.W.2d 819, 40 Tex. Sup. Ct. J. 583 (Tex. 1997) (Insurance coverage—general) A significant decision that reversed court of appeals and reinstated summary judgment for insurer. Registered child care provider’s regular abandonment of small children to run errands was not within exception to business exclusion for acts “ordinarily incidental to non-business pursuits.” Court distinguished State Farm v. Reed re: similar issue.