Insurance: Policyholder: District of Columbia

THE FIRM Widely recognized as the best insurance policyholder practice in DC, this team represents a number of major organizations in complex and sophisticated coverage disputes. The firm's practice covers the USA and beyond, with lawyers in DC recently involved in representing Chiquita Brands International in coverage disputes arising from mass tort lawsuits in Colombia. As well as coverage disputes, the team also handles matters relating to professional and general liability, catastrophic and property damage losses, and fiduciary claims.

Sources say: "The best in DC, without question – nobody has the breadth and bench strength Covington has."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources highlight experienced lawyer John Buchanan as a strong competitor in the field, describing him as "really outstanding." He recently played a key role in the firm's representation of several companies in a complex $1 billion asbestos coverage dispute.

Practice chair Mitchell Dolin remains at the top of the field thanks to his "sophisticated across-the-board knowledge." His highlights include representing Sprint Nextel in two complex D&O disputes involving multimillion-dollar settlements. He also has an active practice in UK market insurance arbitrations.  

Sources praise William Greaney's superior grasp of insurance law, saying: "Nobody else has his encyclopedic knowledge of insurance law." He recently worked alongside the firm's e-discovery practice to represent Extended Stay Hotels in product liability lawsuits relating to rain damage.

Client favorite William Skinner has a "very strong reputation as a hard man in negotiation and a very, very intelligent lawyer." He took the lead in achieving positive results for Chiquita, and also has a healthy standing among clients for financial, D&O and fiduciary work.  

Saul Goodman remains a key member of the team and has been involved in the firm's representation of various clients in environmental coverage issues. 

Practice vice chair Benedict Lenhart has a broad national and international practice, and a "first-rate" reputation for his work on complex UK-based solvent scheme proceedings.

Commentators describe Georgia Kazakis as "a very fine, top-quality lawyer who can handle complex work." She has a particularly strong reputation in property damage matters. 

Anna Engh recently acted for Dow Corning, achieving a high-value settlement with London market insurers following a lawsuit concerning coverage for breast implant claims.  

Interviewees praise Marialuisa Gallozzi as being "incredibly good at complex settlement structures." She has experience across a wide range of insurance coverage matters, both at home and abroad. 

THE FIRM Clients are especially impressed with this team's insurance expertise, particularly when it comes to litigating complex coverage disputes. The DC office is a prominent part of a broad national practice that is active on both coasts, and clients benefit from the close relationships between the offices. The firm recently represented Estée Lauder in successfully reversing a trial court ruling involving policy defenses. The group has also been involved in professional liability matters.  

Sources say: "It is particularly impressive because of the depth it brings to the whole process, with experts in every area of insurance law."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading practitioner John Heintz remains a hit with clients, who describe him as "excellent – when you see him in court he just gets on his feet and starts talking, and judges listen. He garners respect on both sides." Heintz has been particularly active in coverage issues arising from company bankruptcies.

Practice head James Murray is regarded as "a great trial lawyer and a tremendous asset to his clients," and earns particular praise for his calm and common-sense approach to cross-examining. He played a key role on behalf of Beebe Medical Center in the insurance aspects arising from a major sexual abuse suit in Delaware.

Andrew Reidy has represented Caterpillar in a range of high-value asbestos coverage disputes. He is praised as "a model of providing caution but he is also willing to give advice when he thinks the company should be aggressive."

"Extremely articulate trial lawyer" Mark Kolman has a stellar reputation among clients for his work on contentious matters. He has been involved in a range of coverage matters involving issues such as bodily injury and business interruption. 

Since publication, Mark H Kolman has retired from this practice.

THE FIRM The team in DC is a key part of this policyholder firm's impressive nationwide practice. It specializes in handling complex insurance coverage and liability disputes for major organizations, and recently advised Motorola Mobility on a range of insurance coverage matters relating to D&O liability, fiduciary claims and crime coverage.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lorelie Masters is widely regarded as a deeply knowledgeable practitioner, by peers and clients alike. She has acted for high-profile clients such as Tyson Foods and Olin Corporation in the USA, and also has an international practice with expertise in Bermuda Form liability policies and London market arbitrations.

Clients appreciate that Matthew Jacobs is "personable and easy to work with," and peers respect his "extremely analytical" and effective approach to insurance disputes. He has a broad practice, acting for major companies such as Motorola and ProBuild on a range of coverage and liability matters. 

THE FIRM This established policyholder practice advises clients on the full range of insurance recovery matters. The team has experience in handling high-stakes and high-value cases involving coverage and liability matters, regarding asbestos, medical devices, food products and professional liability.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Firm leader Scott Gilbert maintains a strong presence in coverage disputes. According to sources, "nobody is a better negotiator in alternative dispute resolution – he is a deal-maker." 

Clients and peers identify Barry Buchman as a rising star in coverage litigation. As well as representing insurance policyholders, he has a broad civil litigation and disputes practice. 

THE FIRM This insurance recovery practice has grown in size and increased its presence in the insurance legal market. It represents clients from a range of sectors, including construction company Hensel Phelps and financial firm JPMorgan. The team also recently represented Welch Foods in seeking coverage for its media liability, commercial general liability and D&O policies.  

Sources say: "I have found people at the firm to be talented, with the ability to quickly pick up the nuances of the industry and unique intricacies that arise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Fabulous lawyer" Richard Milone heads the practice and has a strong standing among peers and clients. He recently represented Thermos in a declaratory judgment and breach of contract action regarding asbestos liability. 

THE FIRM Commentators agree that this firm is a key player in asbestos and toxic tort coverage disputes on behalf of major clients across the USA. Recent highlights for the insurance team include collaborating with the firm's environmental group to represent PepsiCo in an $8 billion coverage action. The practice is also involved in insurance issues in the corporate sector arising from mergers and restructurings. 

Sources say: "A prominent firm in the asbestos and environmental space." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Global insurance practice cochair Paul Zevnik handles a range of matters, including environmental and asbestos coverage and insurance bankruptcy issues. He has been involved in representing Deutsche Bank in a major E&O coverage matter. 

Daniel Chefitz has had a strong year and played a key role in representing PepsiCo, as mentioned above. 

THE FIRM This growing practice is active in a wide range of insurance coverage matters. Its reputation in environmental and asbestos work has been enhanced by the firm's burgeoning presence in professional and product liability coverage disputes. The team acts for key energy and utility companies, including Integrys, Great Plains and CITGO.

Sources say: "Orrick's lawyers are very thorough and good communicators, who represent their clients well and are very professional."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Marc Mayerson recently joined the firm from Hollingsworth LLP, adding depth to the practice. He brings deep expertise in environmental claims and professional and product liability work, and sources say he is "always a formidable adviser." 

Practice head Mark Plumer earns client praise for his ability to "achieve maximum results with minimum expenditure of hours and resources." His coverage practice focuses on toxic tort, environmental and business-related claims. 

David Klein is another popular choice among clients, who describe him as "an excellent team leader who communicates very well and has the ability to focus everyone on the issues at hand." 

THE FIRM The insurance team at Perkins Coie enters the rankings, having grown and developed over the past year. It took on ten policyholder lawyers from Dickstein Shapiro, enabling it to compete on a more even footing with other DC and national firms. The team represents a varied clientele in the full range of insurance coverage disputes, and has recently acted for energy companies such as NorthWestern and Massey. 

Sources say: "Probably the hottest new team in terms of the way they are growing."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Jacobs represents policyholders in the full range of coverage and liability claims, both domestically and abroad. He is noted for his experience in London market and Bermuda Form matters.

Former Dickstein Shapiro partner Leon Kellner is known in the field for his experience in handling the most complex of insurance coverage disputes.