John DiCaro

Partner

Arizona

   

jdicaro@jshfirm.com
TEL: 602.263.1763
FAX: 602.200.7828
Legal Assistant: Crystal Wong
602.263.1777
cwong@jshfirm.com

John DiCaro practices in governmental liability, personal injury, civil rights and insurance defense. He currently serves as co-chair of our General Liability and Automobile Liability Defense Trial Group. John has tried cases for the cities of Phoenix and Mesa, several insurance carriers and a number of private companies. In 2007, he was recognized for obtaining one of Arizona’s top 10 defense verdicts while defending the Billet Bar in a dram shop action. He also is a faculty member of the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy.

Recent Case Success:

Johnson & Urbina v. Maricopa County – Won Summary Judgment in Double Death Case

  • Obtained summary judgment with JSH Partner Chris Stuart in a wrongful death claim, property design and sight obstruction accident wrongful death case.
  • After a 4-day trial, John obtained a directed verdict for a homeowner in a wrongful institution of legal proceeding.
  • John, along with JSH colleagues Chris Stuart and Alejandro Barrientos, obtained summary judgment for a corporate client. This case arose out of a workplace accident where an employee of a subcontractor fell through the roof of a building and sustained serious injuries.
  • Working with JSH partners Bill Caravetta and Eileen GilBride, John obtained summary judgment in an alleged wrongful death road design case on behalf of the City Of Phoenix.

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Co-Chair, 2012-2019
  • State Bar of Arizona, Member
  • State Bar of Illinois, Member

Professional Recognition & Awards

  • Southwest Super Lawyers, 2017, 2018
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2020-2024; Litigation Insurance, 2021-2024
  • AV® Preeminent™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Phoenix Magazine Top Lawyers, Civil Law Litigation, 2023

Presentations & Publications

  • “Notice of Claim Issues,” Co-Presenter, City of Phoenix Law Day, June 2022
  • Focused Deposition Taking: How To Get What You Want Out of a Deposition,” Co-Presenter, State Bar of Arizona Convention, June 2019
  • “Bifurcation of Liability and Damages in Arizona Personal Injury Cases,” Co-Presenter, Arizona Attorney General’s Office CLE, May 2019
  • Bifurcation No Longer the Road Less Traveled in Road Design Lawsuits: Insight on S.B. 1025’s Recent Amendment to A.R.S. § 12-820.03,” Co-Author, JSH Reporter, Fall 2017
  • “Is Perception Reality OR Is Reality Truly Perceived? Media Coverage and Police Brutality Cases,” Co – Presenter, 2017 Prima Annual Conference, June 2017
  • “Curve Ahead! How to Minimize Risk and Defend a Road Design Lawsuit,” Co – Presenter, 2017 Roads and Streets Conference, April 2017
  • “Navigating Damron/Morris Agreements,” Presenter, Current Issues in Governmental Liability Seminar, November 2015
  • “Litigation with Emphasis on Governmental Liability Institute,” Co-Presenter, 2015 National Association of Legal Assistants Convention and Exhibition, July 2015
  • “How FOIA Requests Can Assist a Claims Adjuster in Investigating a Loss,” Co-Author, Facts & Findings, May 2015
  • “Shining a Light on the Public’s ‘Right To Know’: An Update On Public Records Law,” Presenter, 2014 JSH Annual Seminar: Current Issues in Governmental Liability, November 2014
  • “Keys to Being an Effective Trial Lawyer,” Moderator of Judge’s Panel Discussion, August 2014
  • “Background Checks: Helping Employers Navigate the Battle Between Negligent Hiring and Discriminatory Hiring Practices,” Co-Author, JSH Reporter, Summer 2014
  • “A Paralegal’s Guide to Preparing for a Civil Trial,” Presenter, March 2014
  • “Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Insurance Coverage in Arizona including Damron and Morris Agreements,” Presenter, Arizona Paralegal Association Learn at Lunch Seminar, 2013
  • Judges’ Panel, Moderator, Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, August 2013
  • Faculty Member, Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, July 2010-2013
  • “Overview of Insurance Defense: Premises, Products and Auto,” Co-Presenter, Insurance Defense Institute, July 2013
  • “Ethics for Insurance Defense Counsel and Effective Negotiation and Settlement Techniques,” Co-Presenter, Insurance Defense Institute, July 2013
  • “Practical Considerations of Everyday Case Handling,” Co-Presenter, Insurance Defense Institute, July 2013
  • “Background Checks: The Employer’s Double-Edged Sword,” Presenter, Public Risk Management Association Annual Conference, Florida, June 2013
  • “Managing the Maze: The Interplay Between ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation,” Co-Presenter, CorVel Corporation’s Educational Spring Seminar, April 2013
  • “Navigating the Potholes of the Recreational Use Statute,” Presenter, AZ Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) Chapter Meeting, April 2013
  • “Background Checks: Helping Employers Navigate the Battle Between Negligent Hiring and Discriminatory Hiring Practices,” Co-Author, Public Risk Magazine, published by Public Risk Management Association, Nov/Dec 2012
  • “Responding to Medical Marijuana in the Workplace,” Co-Presenter, JSH Current Issues in Government Liability Seminar, November 2012
  • “Seminar Handling Complex Auto Insurance Coverage Disputes,” Faculty Member/Presenter, October 2012
  • “Background Checks: Helping Employers Navigate the Battle Between Negligent Hiring and Discriminatory Hiring Practices,” Co-Author, USLAW Magazine, October 2012
  • “A View from the Bench: Trends in the Courtroom During an Economic Downturn,” Judges’ Panel, Moderator, Arizona Public Risk Management Association’s Fifth Annual Summer Educational Series, August 2012
  • “Damron/Morris Agreements and Indemnification Issues: Who is Primary?” Presenter, Arizona Counties Insurance Pool and the Arizona Civil Attorneys Legal Seminar, May 2012
  • “Trial II: Pretrial Filings,” Presenter, June 2010
  • “Indemnity Agreements,” Presenter, June 2009
  • “Good Faith and Fair Dealing,” Presenter, June 2009
  • “Arizona Construction Issues,” Presenter, June 2009
  • “The Care and Feeding of Paralegals,” Presenter, May 2009
  • “Tips for Discussing a Settlement Release With an Unrepresented Claimant,”Presenter, May 2009
  • Sandy Van v. French Trucking, Inc.,”Presenter, March 2009
  • Cundiff v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Company,“Presenter, January 2008
  • Webb v. Girrlen,” Presenter, January 2008
  • “Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Insurance Coverage in Arizona,”Presenter, 2007

Teaching Experience

  • Arizona Trial College, 2012-2020
  • Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, 2010-2017

Education

The John Marshall Law School, J.D., 1986
DePaul University, B.S., Commerce – Management and Marketing, 1983

Admissions

Arizona, 1997
Illinois (inactive), 1986
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1996