Profile

Jonathan Allen joined MehaffyWeber in 1999 and became a shareholder in 2003. Before joining MehaffyWeber, he practiced commercial litigation with Brown McCarroll & Oaks Hartline. Jonathan's primary practice areas include insurance litigation including coverage and bad faith, other commercial litigation, as well as products and premises liability.

Areas of Concentration

Insurance Litigation, including Coverage and Bad Faith, Commercial Litigation, Products and Premises Liability

Licenses

Education

Jonathan graduated summa cum laude from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice. In 1997, he received a Doctor of Jurisprudence summa cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Representative Experience

Representation of large insurance company as preferred legal counsel in over 200 first party claims (fire/arson, foundation, wind/water damage, uninsured/underinsured motorist) since June of 2002

Breach of Warranty case involving alleged manufacturing defects to a manufactured home which was tried to a successful verdict.  Lead counsel.

Defamation case involving alleged false statements made by defendant regarding plaintiff which led to her termination.  The plaintiff requested $1 million in damages.  The case was tried to a complete defense verdict. Lead counsel.

Social Host Liability case of first impression argued before the Supreme Court of Texas.  The case involved the plaintiff's appeal of the district court's grant of summary judgment.  The Court held that social host liability does not exist in Texas under any circumstance.  Prepared Appellees' Brief in the Court of Appeals, Petition for Review, and Petitioner's Brief on the Merits; argued case before the Ninth Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Texas

Personal injury case involving alleged trip and fall on entrance ramp to the store.  The case was tried to a complete defense verdict.  Second chair

Appeal of directed verdict granted in favor of the defense on the grounds that a stock cart used as a temporary display did not pose an unreasonable risk of harm.  Prepared Appellee's Brief in the Court of Appeals; Petition for Review and Petitioner's Brief on the Merits.

Personal injury case involving an attack by a bull owned by the defendants.  This case was completely prepared for trial, and settled after jury selection.  Involvement: Lead counsel. (2001)

Personal injury case involving rear‑end collision.  The case was tried to verdict with the jury awarding 1/6th of the amount requested. Lead Counsel

Personal injury case involving a customer alleging she tripped over a stock cart used as a temporary display.  The case was tried to a complete defense verdict. 

Nursing home liability case where the decedent developed six Stage IV decubitis ulcers while at the nursing home.  Liability was fairly clear.  The case was tried over three weeks and the jury awarded damages far less than the amount requested by the plaintiff. Second Chair.

UIM Trial where the plaintiff argued for policy limits of $500,000.  The plaintiff had undergone a laminectomy and argued that he could no longer work in any capacity and that he would require additional surgery.  The jury awarded $150,000.  Second Chair.

Plaintiff was sued in hundreds of asbestos cases involving thousands of claimants on the grounds it was the successor in interest to defendant.  The plaintiff is a Delaware corporation based in California.   Involvement: Argued in excess of 60 special appearance motions and successfully appealed the denial of the special appearance to the 1^st and 14^th Courts of Appeals.  The resolution saved the company millions in potential damages.  Lead Counsel

Property damage case where the plaintiff alleged the defendant contaminated its yard with contaminants from two barged.  The District Court granted summary judgment in favor of defendant on no duty grounds.  The case was appealed to the Amarillo Court of Appeals which held that a fact issue exists on whether a duty exists from defendant to plaintiffs.  Involvement: Prepared and argued summary judgment motion, prepared Appellee's Brief, and argued before Amarillo Court of Appeals; also prepared Petition for Review and Brief on the Merits at the Supreme Court of Texas. Lead Appellate Counsel and Second Chair Trial Counsel

Personal injury case where the plaintiff alleged he fell in the men's restroom at the ethylene unit belonging to the defendant.  He argued that the company had actual knowledge of water on the floor and intentionally covered up facts during the investigation.  He requested in excess of $1 million in damages.  The case was tried to a complete defense verdict. Second Chair

Theft case where the plaintiff alleged that employees of a major grocery store chain conspired to steal over $3,000 from the plaintiff.  The case was tried to a complete defense verdict.  Lead counsel

Commercial litigation case where our client alleged that the defendant breached its contract and owed it several million dollars for additional work that it completed.  The case settled before suit was filed for a confidential seven figure settlement amount.  Lead Counsel

Memberships and Honors

During law school, Jonathan was a member of Texas Tech's National Moot Court Team, Board of Barristers, Law Review, and was the Student and Alumni Chairperson for Phi Alpha Delta. Following his graduation from law school, Jonathan was admitted to the Order of the Coif.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, Jefferson County Bar Association, the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, and the Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

He has been selected for inclusion in"Texas Rising Stars" since 2006