Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Policyholder
USA Guide 2024 : USA - Nationwide
Band 2
Contact number
+1 202 420 2200About
Provided by Blank Rome LLP
- One of few U.S. firms focusing exclusively on policyholder work, and we're known for our substantial trial experience and mindset.
- Experienced in specialty areas of insurance, including bankruptcy, business conduct liabilities, cybersecurity, directors’ and officers’, employment, energy, environmental liability, political risk, and business interruption; and newer areas including product recall, representation & warranties, sports and athletic injury, and credit risk insurance.
- Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team – an interdisciplinary group experienced in issues impacted by severe weather events.
- Plaintiffs’ mentality – For clients, frequently defendants in the tort system, we focus on maximizing benefits and recoveries. Our Washington, D.C.; New York; Los Angeles; and Houston teams have recovered $7.5 billion+ for clients from insurers and insurance brokers in the last decade.
- Sexual abuse liability – our experience in insurance coverage for sexual abuse liability has helped us recover $1 billion+ in insurance proceeds in cutting-edge cases, where we've secured multi-million recoveries for victims.
- Transactions – we also advise corporations, private equity firms, and hedge funds, on insurance coverage aspects of billion-dollar+ transactions, including insurance due diligence, and securing representations and warranties insurance on favorable terms.
- American College of Coverage Counsel (“ACCC”) - 10 Fellows in the ACCC, a highly prestigious, invitation-only organization.
Chambers Review
Blank Rome LLP possesses wide experience in coverage work, handling diverse matters from major product liability cases and asbestos disputes to bodily injury claims in the professional sports world. It is particularly well regarded in areas including sexual abuse liability, False Claims Act cases and food recall coverage. Notably, the team is also skilled in a range of insurance issues across the energy and healthcare sectors and has significant expertise in cybersecurity coverage.
Work Highlights
- Blank Rome acted as lead counsel for Urban Edge Properties in a $25 million COVID-19 business interruption claim involving insurance policies that expressly provide coverage for the presence of viruses. The client sought coverage from Allied World, its pollution liability insurer, for losses arising from the pandemic.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is able to see the big picture to get the best outcomes possible."
"Blank Rome sees issues from all sides and offers strategic solutions that are both effective and practical."
"The team provided excellent legal analysis and advice, as well as strong execution and advocacy."
"The team is able to see the big picture to get the best outcomes possible."
"Blank Rome sees issues from all sides and offers strategic solutions that are both effective and practical."
"The team provided excellent legal analysis and advice, as well as strong execution and advocacy."
Notable Practitioners
John Heintz has over 40 years of experience acting on complex insurance coverage cases, where he has a strong reputation. His extensive practice spans asbestos, environmental and D&O issues.
"John is very good, especially knowledgeable and has a very positive temperament under pressure."
"John Heintz is a giant in this field."
James Murray is cochair of Blank Rome's insurance recovery practice. He is highlighted for his experience advising clients on high-stakes coverage disputes. He is particularly sought after for his expertise in claims involving sexual abuse.
"James has a grasp of larger issues at hand and wealth of experience in this space."
Linda Kornfeld is an experienced insurance practitioner noted for her skills in assisting clients in major coverage disputes. She frequently represents universities, telecommunication companies and nonprofit organizations.
"Linda is a well respected insurance lawyer."
"Linda is the best policyholder coverage attorney I have ever worked with. I refer her everything I can."
Mary Craig Calkins is a well-regarded insurance coverage attorney. She is regularly sought out by policyholders to act in complex disputes concerning D&O liability and cybersecurity, among other areas.
"Mary Calkins was always available and helped walk us through each step of the process in order."
"She is brilliant, very analytical and has a lot of experience, so she knows how to approach problems to get the best results."
Helen Michael maintains a well-respected coverage practice. She represents policyholders in a wide range of matters, including coverage disputes arising out of data breaches and business interruption claims.
"Helen is an expert and totally stands out in the field for her knowledge of the law."
"Helen is one of the finest attorneys I know. She takes the time to understand an issue and always comes up with practical suggestions."
"Helen is a hard worker and very capable insurance lawyer."
Jared Zola is sought out by policyholders to provide representation on complex coverage claims concerning cybersecurity and COVID-19-related business interruption. He is also experienced in environmental and property damage disputes.
"He is very experienced and a strategic thinker who is calm, measured but also assertive."
"Jared is an exceptionally knowledgeable attorney who is gifted at framing and then presenting arguments and very fast at assimilating new knowledge and applying it to the matter at hand."
Ranked Lawyers at
Blank Rome LLP
USA - Nationwide
Members
Provided by Blank Rome LLP