John Boundas
Firm Partner
“I see the big picture and realize that people do not need to be hurt or affected by others who cut corners just to make outrageous profits. That is why we do what we do. We try to make sure that people can stand up against companies, corporations, and individuals that have mistreated them or been negligent.”


Biography
Firm partner John Boundas goes above and beyond for his clients. John graduated first in his class from the University of Iowa Law School and received the second highest score statewide on the 1995 Texas Bar Exam. Following law school, he interned at the U.S. Department of Justice and was recognized for his “outstanding” performance.
He went on to clerk for the Hon. Milton I Shadur, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. John then joined the litigation section of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP until joining Williams Hart & Boundas in 2001.
John has spent the past two decades primarily representing people injured by prescription drugs, often children born with serious birth defects after exposure to prescription drugs in utero.
John was appointed Co-Lead Counsel in the Depakote Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. John represented children who suffered birth defects as a result of Depakote exposure and, along with the Williams Hart & Boundas team, tried individual jury trials that resulted in a $38 million verdict (unanimously affirmed on appeal) and a $15 million verdict (settled while on appeal), that ultimately led to the resolution of the litigation.
Yet even with this impressive body of work and history of success in arguing everything from personal injury suits to pro-bono civil rights cases, John had to face his biggest adversary: cancer.
Beating Cancer Against All Odds
In 2004 John was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while trying a case. “It was my third straight trial in a row in Philadelphia. I didn’t feel well and thought, ‘OK, this is what stress is like.’”
A nurse/paralegal working on the case saw him going upstairs and noticed he had to stop midway. She convinced him to see a doctor who found a large mass in his chest during surgery which turned out to be cancer.
Never one to take it easy, John endured regular chemo sessions and a period of daily radiation, which helped him fight his way into remission just seven months after his initial diagnosis.
During his fight, there were many times that John was out of the office, too weak to work. “The firm was supportive and helpful. It is a family around here, and that is what we extend to our clients; a family atmosphere. I think that makes us different from other firms, and while I was out fighting, I experienced the other side of that, the support, understanding, and encouragement that we reserve for clients.”
John received extra encouragement when he got a visit from the firm’s founding partner, John Eddie Williams. “John Eddie flew up to see me after my surgery and threatened to take away my Blackberry if I tried to do any work.”
The Chicago native and University of Michigan grad gained perspective during this time. “I see the big picture and realize that people do not need to be hurt or affected so others can cut corners just to make outrageous profits. That is why we do what we do. We try to make sure that people can stand up against companies, corporations, and individuals that have mistreated them or been negligent.”
PRACTICE AREAS
John has spent the past two decades primarily representing people injured by prescription drugs, often children born with serious birth defects after exposure to prescription drugs in utero. Recently, John was appointed Co-Lead Counsel in the In re Depakote Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. John represented children who suffered birth defects as a result of Depakote exposure, and along with the Williams Hart & Boundas team tried individual jury trials that resulted in a $38 million verdict (unanimously affirmed on appeal) and a $15 million verdict (settled while on appeal), that ultimately led to the resolution of the litigation.
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LICENSED TO PRACTICE
- State of Texas
- State of Illinois
- State of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Western and Northern Districts of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- 2009-2014 Super Lawyers, by Thomson Reuters
- 2004 and 2009 Super Lawyers Rising Stars, by Thomson Reuters
- Recognized by the Department of Justice for “outstanding” performance
- Named a 2015 Top Mass Tort/Toxic Tort Lawyer in H-Texas Magazine
EDUCATION
University of Iowa College of Law
Iowa City, Iowa
- Juris Doctorate
- 1995
- Graduated first in class; Received the second highest score statewide on the Texas State Bar examination, 1995
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
- B.A.
- 1991
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- American Bar Association
- Houston Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- American Association for Justice
Recent News
Verdict Awarded to Cyclist in Tractor Collision Case
Williams Hart and Boundas are proud to share a favorable verdict on behalf of a cyclist injured in a tractor collision in Harris County in 2020. Our client, Miss Schlesinger, was cycling safely and prudently in Harris County, Texas, three years ago. As she...
$500,000 Jury Verdict Awarded for Car Accident Client
Left to right: Attorney Michael Samaniego, Attorney Cesar Tavares, Ms. Gonzalez, and Paralegal Genae Leal. We are pleased to share yet another excellent jury verdict for one of our valued clients! Ms. Gonzalez experienced a significant change in her life following...