Insurance: New York

THE FIRM Clients continue to heap praise on this policyholder giant thanks to a deep expertise accumulated during a long history of representing clients in complex and sophisticated coverage disputes. The team has been active in a range of claims including environmental and asbestos, bankruptcy, business interruption and professional liability disputes. Much of the firm's recent activity has been in the field of first-party property coverage cases resulting from disasters at home and abroad.

Sources say: "Seasoned professionals who work very hard to research and prepare for all phases of the case."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Force of nature" Robert Horkovich is held in the highest regard by commentators, with clients praising his calm and pragmatic approach to dispute resolution. He has been involved in a range of complex environmental coverage cases, including disputes arising from the Deepwater Horizon disaster and representing the State of California in the Stringfellow Acid Pits cleanup.

William Passannante is respected by peers for his work in the policyholder D&O liability space. He also has an impressive environmental coverage practice, having recently represented Colgate and Alfa Laval in major asbestos liability disputes. 

New entry Finley Harckham is a favorite among clients, who describe him as "reasonable, confident and as adept at taking a hard line as he is at finding workable compromises." He is heavily involved in insurance bankruptcy issues. 

THE FIRM This impressive firm has an outstanding reputation among peers for representing major insurance and reinsurance companies in complicated, high-stakes coverage litigation. Cahill is especially known as a key player in reinsurance, and recently represented Global Reinsurance in major antitrust litigation against Equitas. On the direct insurance side, the team acted on behalf of XL Capital in a shareholder class action dispute. Clients admire the firm's expertise and experience of the insurance industry.

Sources say: "Cahill lawyers are just extremely smart and savvy litigators."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading practitioner Edward Krugman is regarded as "an excellent litigator who is aggressive as needed and becomes personally involved in all aspects" of each case. He leads the way on the firm's most significant reinsurance disputes and also enjoys a healthy reputation on the direct side. 

Thorn Rosenthal is respected for his handling of complex, high-value disputes on behalf of insurance and reinsurance companies in the USA, Europe and Bermuda. 

THE FIRM While a relatively new player in the market, Chaffetz Lindsey has become known as an impressive firm, compact in size but able to punch well above its weight in major insurance and reinsurance litigation. The team recently represented Lexington in a dispute with its reinsurer arising from the settlement of a large asbestos litigation. Key clients include a range of significant insurers and reinsurers such as CNA, Travelers and Zurich. 

Sources say: "The quality of service is excellent and personalized, and the value derived from the services rendered is superior."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients and peers are full of praise for practice head Peter Chaffetz and his abilities as a reinsurance practitioner. He recently represented Lexington in a dispute with its reinsurer Clearwater. 

Associate Karen Baswell comes highly recommended by clients, who describe her as a good lawyer who possesses "excellent analytical and tactical skills that are vital to implementing strategy." 

THE FIRM Market commentators identify this firm in the insurance transactional space yet the team has also expanded its presence in dealing with regulatory issues, where clients include Swiss Life and American National. The practice retains its reputation for handling complex transactions through work such as representing Deutsche Bank in a highly sophisticated longevity swap involving a Bermuda insurance company.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Meyer involves himself in a range of transactional matters including insurance restructuring and M&A work. Sources say he is "a fantastic lawyer and a great business adviser in the sense that he understands the client's issues." He played an important role in the firm's recent representation of Deutsche Bank.

THE FIRM Peers are quick to note this firm's increasing presence in both the New York and national insurance spaces. It acts on behalf of the insurance and reinsurance industry in the full range of disputes, including litigation and arbitration. The team represents a selection of major insurance and reinsurance companies including ACE, Liberty International and Swiss Re. 

Sources say: "There is a feeling that the firm wants to create a business relationship, through which the bills are reasonable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Knoerzer is popular among peers, who praise him as a well-established and capable practitioner. He is experienced in both direct and reinsurance claims and he has handled a range of complex disputes on behalf of the industry. 

Experienced professional Paul Koepff is held in healthy regard by the market. Clients view him as a go-to name in litigation and arbitration of complex insurance disputes.

THE FIRM This transactional leader is held in excellent regard for its role in the most sophisticated and high-value insurance M&A deals. The firm represents major insurance companies and financial organizations, and has recently been involved in significant transactions involving the life and health insurance sectors both nationally and internationally. By way of example, the team acted for Cigna in regulatory and tax matters regarding its $3.8 billion acquisition of HealthSpring, and also represented Pan-American Life Insurance in its purchase of MetLife's businesses in the Caribbean, Panama and Costa Rica. Debevoise also has a healthy insurance disputes practice, which has a strong focus in property and casualty insurance litigation.  

Sources say: "A good choice on any M&A deal, in particular adding a lot of value on deals where there are unusual restructuring elements that need regulatory approval."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Outstanding lawyer" Nicholas Potter cochairs the practice and takes a lead on many of the firm's highest value transactions. He recently acted for Goldman Sachs in relation to AIG's $9.7 billion sale of its stake in MetLife. He enjoys a superb reputation as a deal lawyer among peers. 

Fellow cochair Thomas Kelly played a key role in the firm's representation of Harbinger in its acquisition of Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings in a deal worth $350 million. As well as M&A work, he has a strong focus on insurance capital markets transactions.

Experienced of counsel Wolcott Dunham "has always been one of the finest lawyers in this industry," according to sources. He remains a true leader of the New York insurance transactional Bar.

Edwin Schallert specializes in commercial and securities litigation, and has represented a range of life insurance companies in significant disputes and appeals. He has acted on behalf of major industry clients such as Prudential and John Hancock. 

Litigator Robert Goodman focuses his practice on insurance coverage concerns, offering experience across a range of disputes including asbestos and environmental-related mass tort and personal injury claims. 

THE FIRM This established team focuses much of its New York insurance disputes practice on high-value coverage and class action claims. It also has a wealth of experience in the prominent areas of catastrophe and mass tort insurance cases having handled disputes arising from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.  

Sources say: "Very good coverage lawyers on the direct insurance side."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Global insurance cochair Michael Barr is described by interviewees as "very talented, tough and thoughtful" in dispute resolution. He has handled a range of matters from financial disputes to asbestos coverage issues.

Reid Ashinoff focuses on insurance as part of a broad commercial litigation practice. He typically represents insurance companies in complex class action disputes and has recently handled such matters for several leading names. 

THE FIRM The New York arm of this national firm is held in high regard by policyholder clients for its experience and ability to handle coverage disputes. The firm is seasoned in representing major organizations, as exemplified by its work on behalf of Estée Lauder in which a trial court ruling regarding policy defenses was overturned on appeal, a significant insurance decision.  

Sources say: "Dickstein Shapiro is outstanding in its commitment to the organization’s legal issues. The development of strategy to achieve the desired results is stellar."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Incredibly smart and talented coverage attorney" Stephen Dvorkin dedicates his practice to insurance recovery. Recent highlights include the representation of Olin in a major multitrial coverage action. 

THE FIRM This firm earns recognition from the market for representing insurers across a swath of legal concerns. Sources single out the team's ability to handle surplus lines matters, which has formed a key part of its recent activity on behalf of various clients. While the firm enjoys a particularly strong reputation in regulatory matters, clients also benefit from its insurance industry expertise in dispute resolution.

Sources say: "These lawyers are nice people to work with. They understand the pressures that we have in-house and try to accommodate them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Transactional and regulatory specialist Nick Pearson has been particularly focused on the life and health insurance sector. He recently represented Eos Capital in regulatory compliance issues relating to the acquisition of a New York life insurance company.

THE FIRM This compact litigation boutique is known for the deep expertise of its leading practitioners when it comes to insurance and reinsurance disputes. The firm is also active in financial litigation relating to securities and structured insurance products.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Grais is known for his long-standing expertise in complex reinsurance arbitrations. He also deals with structured finance securities litigation. 

Kathryn Ellsworth handles insurance and reinsurance disputes as part of a broad practice that also incorporates securities, franchise and business tort litigation. 

THE FIRM Hogan Lovells's New York insurance practice forms a key component of the firm's prominent presence in the sector across the USA. The team handles both direct and reinsurance issues, with recent highlights in the latter including the representation of Odyssey in an appeal arising from its reinsurance of liquidated insurance company Midland. Clients praise the firm for its expertise and efficient approach.

Sources say: "We needed a good firm but also an efficient one as we could not spend too much - Hogan Lovells definitely delivered on both fronts."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Pieter Van Tol is the firm's New York practice contact. He handles insurance and reinsurance as part of a broad commercial litigation practice.

THE FIRM Jones Day is viewed as a strong player in coverage litigation, where it acts on behalf of policyholders. The team handles all manner of insurance recovery disputes for a range of Fortune 500 companies. It recently represented IBM in an insurance coverage claim arising from an ERISA class action. The New York team has played an active role in the firm's nationwide involvement in a range of major disputes arising from disasters worldwide, including the Japanese tsunami and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Accomplished coverage lawyer" Edward Joyce represents policyholders in the full range of insurance disputes. He recently counseled Connell in the recovery of environmental property damage and asbestos bodily injury liability claims.

Experienced practitioner Thomas Sear is held in high regard by his peers. He represented IBM in the coverage claim involving a class action dispute alleging ERISA violations. 

THE FIRM This firm continues to enjoy something of a meteoric rise to prominence in New York and an increased visibility in representing insurance policyholders. Peers, and in particular opponents on the insurer side, admire the dedication and expertise on offer at Kasowitz, attributes that are seen as of tremendous benefit to its clients. The team has achieved impressive recent results across a range of areas, including significant D&O claims recovery on behalf of MBIA and representing a pump manufacturer in securing more than $1 billion in coverage for present and future liabilities.

Sources say: "Incredibly efficient, very knowledgeable and good people too."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Robin Cohen has a stellar reputation in the field for handling coverage disputes on behalf of major organizations across the country. Clients have only the highest praise for her outstanding levels of service: "She would run through a brick wall for us, and she knew which brick wall to run through."

The firm recently mourned the passing of the highly regarded Randy Paar.

THE FIRM Mayer Brown is known in insurance circles for its presence in the regulatory and transactional spheres, although it is also becoming noticed in New York for developing its insurance dispute resolution arm. The team regularly handles corporate, M&A and sourcing insurance transactions and is also involved in complex reinsurance deals.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Regulatory and transactional specialist David Alberts is known as a solid corporate insurance practitioner. Clients praise him as a "really knowledgeable and pragmatic" lawyer. 

Kenneth Pierce's experience of working as an investment banker allow clients to benefit from his understanding of insurance transactions. As a result, "he has revolutionized the transactional practice," say sources.

THE FIRM This insurance boutique is active across the entire industry, with expertise in professional and general liability, coverage litigation and property insurance. The firm also has experience in specific industrial sectors including aviation, energy and maritime insurance.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice contact Robert Flannery is experienced in handling complex coverage disputes on behalf of insurance companies.

THE FIRM The New York branch of Morgan Lewis's nationwide insurance policyholder practice has played a key role in a number of major mandates. The team has recently been heavily involved in a range of product liability and property damage coverage disputes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Luttinger recently represented Deutsche Bank in a major E&O dispute worth in excess of $250 million. He has been involved in a range of policyholder coverage disputes as well as professional liability, property damage and environmental claims. 

THE FIRM This insurance boutique is a popular choice among clients thanks to its high levels of service coupled with extensive expertise in the insurance market. The team has been involved in significant property loss disputes arising from natural disasters across the globe. As well as litigating complex insurance disputes, the firm also deals with reinsurance matters arising from sophisticated captive issues. 

Sources say: "They are responsive and report in a timely manner to provide you with a definitive opinion of the merits and weaknesses of the position you are taking. They are also cognizant of costs and will recommend settlement where appropriate."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced litigator Stuart Cotton is known in the field as a true expert in insurance disputes. He has dealt with the full range of coverage cases including property damage and business interruption claims.

Peers recognize Lawrence Greengrass as a strong presence in reinsurance arbitrations. He has been heavily involved in financial insurance and reinsurance disputes, but his wide-ranging practice also includes life and health insurance claims, environmental and asbestos coverage issues.

Client favorite David Silva is held in high regard for his ability to handle complex insurance disputes. He is described as "an excellent litigator with the ability to see all sides of an issue and anticipate events before they occur."

Philip Silverberg is noted by clients for his application to coverage disputes. In litigation, sources say: "He handles himself in an extraordinarily remarkable way with very solid argument and examinations." 

THE FIRM This insurance recovery practice focuses on a range of liability disputes on behalf of policyholders. From its New York base the team acts in coverage litigation across the country, and it also has the ability to service clients abroad with a presence in key insurance industry locations including London and Bermuda.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers have the utmost respect for senior practitioner John Gross. He is known as a talented and knowledgeable litigator, with an impressive ability to defend his position in the courtroom. 

Sources describe Seth Schafler as a "terrific lawyer." His coverage practice focuses on the full range of liability disputes including D&O, E&O and fiduciary liability claims. 

THE FIRM Peers are increasingly noticing this policyholder practice's New York team for its involvement in a range of significant coverage disputes. While the team is experienced at litigating complex disputes, clients are full of praise for the approach taken by Reed Smith's lawyers' ability to bring matters to a positive conclusion. As well as dealing with coverage claims, the group has strong professional, general and product liability expertise. 

Sources say: "Reed Smith's lawyers are able to get to the finish line with positive results. They get insurance companies to work together with us and reach an agreement without litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise insurance recovery specialist Paul Evan Breene for his impressive command of coverage disputes. "He knows how the insurance companies think and how they will handle the situation, and uses this knowledge to his clients' advantage," say sources. He recently represented Forest Labs in a $65 million D&O coverage dispute.

Ann Kramer is deeply respected among peers and known to the insurer Bar as a worthy adversary. Her insurance disputes practice has a particular focus on the pharmaceutical industry. 

THE FIRM Sidley Austin boasts a healthy practice dedicated to insurance transactional work which plays an active role advising on major financings affecting the insurance and reinsurance markets. As well as acting on behalf of industry clients such as Swiss Re and MetLife, the team represents major financial institutions in insurance transactions, including Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.

Sources say: "The depth of expertise in the Sidley practice in specialized insurance transactions is unmatched."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Commentators single out practice head Jeff Liebmann as "a rock star in his own quiet, self-effacing way." He earns acclaim for his work in the life insurance sector and has been involved in a range of matters involving insurance insolvency and structured finance issues. Clients also highlight his expertise in regulatory issues.

Jonathan Freedman specializes in insurance capital markets work and is known in the field as a practical and business-oriented practitioner. He has been involved in insurance transactions on behalf of clients including Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

Peers and clients note Michael Madigan as a leading practitioner in catastrophe bond work, and he specifically earns plaudits for his expertise in catastrophe securitization. He recently represented Swiss Re in a deal to provide protection against North Atlantic hurricane risks. 

THE FIRM Peers and clients alike are unanimous in their praise of a firm that has established itself as the dominant force in insurer-side disputes in New York. The team retains an extremely healthy position in reinsurance disputes, having recently acted for Travelers in a major asbestos appeal involving an award of $420 million. Simpson Thacher also represented Swiss Re in major disputes arising from 9/11 brought by property developer Larry Silverstein. As well as an impressive insurance disputes practice, the firm also handles transactional and regulatory work on behalf of clients such as CNA and AIG. 

Sources say: "Simpson Thacher continues to be active in high-end cases and without a doubt remains the go-to firm if you have a bet-the-company case."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Long-standing insurer-side leader Barry Ostrager remains a hit with clients, who describe him as "excellent, with very quick response times and a professional approach." He is known for his work in both direct insurance and reinsurance, and recently represented a subsidiary of Swiss Re in major litigation arising from 9/11 claims.

Mary Kay Vyskocil is "quick to respond and very professional in her approach." She has represented Travelers in long-standing reinsurance litigation involving a summary judgment award of $420 million arising from an asbestos settlement. 

Peers respect Andrew Amer for his presence in high-end insurance disputes. He is particularly involved in reinsurance arbitration but is also active on the direct side.

On the transactional side, Gary Horowitz recently represented underwriters in the issue of $400 million of senior notes by Reinsurance Group of America. He focuses on insurance M&A, joint ventures and corporate finance.

THE FIRM Complementing the firm's standing as one of the finest corporate law outfits in the country, Skadden's insurance team excels in transactional matters. The New York practice acts in M&A and restructuring transactions across all sectors of insurance and reinsurance including life, health, and property and casualty, as well as specialty lines. In addition to its transactional representation of insurance companies and major financial institutions, the team also brings a healthy capacity for handling insurance litigation. It recently represented the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in a property damage insurance recovery dispute arising from the 9/11 attacks.

Sources say: "Their lawyers are accessible, thorough and have a great depth of expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources are full of respect for established transactional and regulatory performer Robert Sullivan. "You can be totally comfortable hiring him on big transactions," according to commentators. He recently acted for CIGNA in the sale of its reinsurance business to Fitzwilliam Insurance.

In dispute resolution, Timothy Reynolds is a favorite among clients for his expertise in coverage litigation. He took a lead role in Skadden's representation of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in major insurance cases. 

THE FIRM This well-established New York firm earns recognition for both dispute resolution and transactional and regulatory reinsurance work. The disputes team has been particularly active in the asbestos and environmental coverage spaces and in workers' compensation claims. On the transactional side, the team recently represented Nomura Reinsurance in a $2.9 billion reinsurance deal.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Lewin focuses his practice on reinsurance litigation and arbitration. He has been involved in three separate litigations against R&Q Re on behalf of AIG companies concerning asbestos and environmental liabilities.

Complex insurance and reinsurance specialist Michele Jacobson has been particularly active in financial guarantee reinsurance disputes. She played an important role in the firm's representation of Arch in litigation relating to workers' compensation policies. 

Transactional expert William Latza is regarded as a thoughtful and intelligent practitioner among his peers. He was heavily involved in the firm's representation of Nomura in placing a substantial reinsurance transaction for Phoenix Life Insurance. 

Bernhardt Nadell focuses his practice on investment banks and their insurance issues. He recently represented Crédit Agricole in a $350 million credit transaction with MetLife and Metropolitan Life Insurance.  

Senior of counsel Donald Gabay remains an established name among the New York transactional and regulatory insurance Bar. He represents major insurers and reinsurers in the property and casualty and life and health sectors. 

THE FIRM Corporate leader Sullivan & Cromwell is known for its ability to utilize its financial sector expertise in the most complex and sophisticated of insurance transactions. The firm has been particularly active in the life insurance arena, including representing Pacific Life in several significant acquisitions and Prudential in the $1.2 billion sale of its commodities business to Jefferies Group. Insurance capital markets matters also contribute strongly to the group's workload, as does litigation, where the team can draw on its experience of handling insurance disputes and regulatory investigations. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Rowen is highly rated among peers for insurance M&A deals. He recently represented Pacific Life in its acquisition of Manulife Financial's life retrocession business. He has also acted for underwriters in significant insurance capital markets transactions. 

Acquisitions specialist Stephen Kotran earns acclaim as a talented transactional practitioner. He recently acted on behalf of AIG in the $16.2 billion sale of ALICO to MetLife. 

On the dispute resolution side, Mark Rosenberg is experienced in dealing with litigation arising from D&O liability claims. 

THE FIRM This firm is known and respected for its position as a leading representative of insurance intermediaries and brokers. It has acted for Marsh & McLennan in a range of matters, which recently included representing the broker in successfully retrieving in excess of $500 million worth of professional liability insurance. Its transactional and regulatory practice has received a major boost with the acquisition of several leading practitioners from Dewey & LeBoeuf. The team advised Zurich in its $1.67 billion acquisition of Santander's insurance operations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mitchell Auslander is held in excellent regard by the market and comes highly recommended for representing brokers. He is noted for his work for Marsh & McLennan, and also represents policyholders in coverage disputes.

Clients describe Leah Campbell as "easy to work with, knowledgeable and a brilliant deal lawyer." She has taken a lead role in many of the firm's most significant insurance transactions. 

One of the former Dewey & LeBoeuf partners, Alexander Dye is described as a "terrific lawyer and a great professional." He played a key role in the firm's representation of MetLife in multibillion-dollar stock offerings arising from its high-value acquisition of American Life from AIG.

Michael Groll also recently joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf. He specializes in insurance transactions and recently represented AMBAC in a major restructuring arising from conditions experienced during the global economic crisis. 

Dewey's former transactional department co-head John Schwolsky recently represented AEGON in the $3.4 billion sale of its life reinsurance business. His broad transactional expertise incorporates insurance M&A, securities, restructuring and catastrophe bonds. 

Clients praise regulatory partner Donald Henderson for his deep understanding of the issues facing his clients. He also joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf, and recently represented National Indemnity in complex asbestos reinsurance liability issues. 

Vladimir Nicenko is another favorite among clients. According to sources, the former Dewey partner "will run through walls to get things done, will always find the right answer and you can be sure we will accomplish our goals with him on the team. 

THE FIRM Sources identify this firm as a significant market player which acts on behalf of insurers in coverage litigation. The team possesses the depth and experience to handle even the most sophisticated insurance disputes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Carl Pernicone and James Deaver cochair the firm's national practice from New York.

THE FIRM Clients admire this established reinsurance practice for its extensive expertise in complex arbitration and an ability to achieve positive results on their behalf. The group focuses on high-end matters and it offers clients high levels of dedication thanks to its compact nature. Along with reinsurance work, the firm also represents insurance companies in coverage litigation. 

Sources say: "The firm has experienced attorneys who understand the rules of arbitration."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise practice head William Maher as a "confident, smart and tough but friendly" lawyer. He handles complex reinsurance arbitrations and insurance-related commercial disputes.