Insurance: Insurer: District of Columbia

THE FIRM Clients admire this established Washington, DC insurance practice for its deep expertise and dedication to clients' needs. It remains active in handling direct claim and reinsurance matters, notably handling general liability claims and a range of disputes relating to health and life insurance. The firm represents a number of major insurance companies and has also attracted clients in the reinsurance industry, recently representing Transatlantic and SCOR. The team also deals with asbestos-related matters, environmental claims and natural disaster coverage.

Sources say: "An outstanding firm." " We're very impressed with them – they are very receptive and are not afraid to take risks."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clifford Hendler earns significant praise from major insurance company clients, who say: "He is very good at identifying risks and when to take them." He specializes in complex multiparty disputes, and recently successfully represented United Educators in litigation involving coverage issues arising out of lawsuits against Duke University.

"Pragmatic and smart" insurance litigator Paul Kalish is another favorite among clients. He handles a range of significant property and casualty issues on behalf of both national and Bermuda-based insurance companies, and recently represented various ACE companies in a coverage dispute with 3M.

THE FIRM This highly respected insurer firm houses some of the country's leading practitioners and has a fine reputation for handling the most sophisticated matters. It has been active in litigation and regulatory work on behalf of the insurance industry, particularly in catastrophe and natural disaster matters arising from the hurricane season and the Japanese tsunami. Major clients include The Travelers Companies, XL and Allianz.

Sources say: "Steptoe has an outstanding general and professional liability practice, and some great people."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "outstanding" James Rocap remains one of the foremost names in the insurance space across the country. He has recently represented Travelers in a range of coverage disputes, demonstrating deep expertise and experience in the full range of insurance litigation matters.

Sources describe Roger Warin as "a terrific lawyer with exquisite judgment and a wealth of experience." He handles both direct and reinsurance litigation and arbitration, and has been heavily involved in the firm's long-standing representation of Chartis in various disputes.

Practice head Antonia Ianniello handles a range of professional and general liability matters on behalf of major insurance companies, and has a fine reputation for her handling of complex matters both at home and abroad. 

Practice vice chair Harry Lee earns client praise for his measured and sensible approach to coverage disputes. He has particular expertise in handling long-tail environmental, exposure and pharmaceutical matters. 

THE FIRM Peers regard Wiley Rein as a leading firm in the insurance market, particularly for general and professional liability claims. The team is also active in the reinsurance and healthcare sectors, with experience and expertise in coverage litigation and insurance transactions. It has recently represented major insurance companies CNA and XL, among others, in D&O and E&O liability claims. Clients admire the depth of the practice and its practitioners' knowledge of the insurance industry.

Sources say: "They are very knowledgeable of the insurance marketplace and pay careful attention to the reputational issues that come with coverage litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Daniel Standish is held in high regard for D&O work, and is described by clients as "excellent – very smart and thorough, with good judgment." He recently represented CNA in an Eleventh Circuit appeal regarding its D&O liability insurance policy.

Laura Foggan earns praise from peers and clients alike. She played a lead role in the firm's representation of State Farm as national coordinating counsel in matters involving medical confidentiality as it relates to automobile insurance.

Thomas Brunner is highlighted by peers for his strength in a range of insurance disputes. He focuses on asbestos, product liability and toxic tort litigation.

D&O specialist Jason Cronic represents professional liability insurance companies in coverage disputes, and has recently been active for General Star Indemnity. 

David Topol also focuses on professional liability, and recently represented XL in an E&O policy dispute. 

THE FIRM This firm continues to stand out for its local, national and global reinsurance law work. In addition to a series of reinsurance litigations and arbitrations, the practice is involved in direct insurance disputes, including environmental and asbestos coverage cases. The team also represents insurance companies in regulatory, transactional and insolvency matters.

Sources say: "Everyone knows Chadbourne is the biggest name in reinsurance law."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced practice head David Raim is widely regarded as "the best reinsurance lawyer around." He regularly represents reinsurers in the most complex and significant arbitrations. 

THE FIRM This firm has expanded its insurer representation recently, having acted for the industry in class action litigation and governmental investigations. The practice has achieved positive results in disputes on behalf of major insurance players such as CareFirst, Federal Insurance and Chubb Group. The DC team is active in a range of matters as part of the firm's overall national and international practice, and is involved in litigation and arbitration in Europe.

Sources say: "A superb law firm for representing insurers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers single out "tremendous lawyer" David Hensler as an impressive litigator of coverage disputes. He regularly deals with insurance issues as part of his broad commercial litigation practice.

THE FIRM This firm has a healthy reputation among both peers and clients for its expertise and extensive experience in the complex London insurance market. It also represents a number of US insurance and reinsurance companies.

Sources say: "The firm has very strong London insurance market knowledge, with bright and quick-minded lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Martin Baach is highlighted by peers for his work in coverage disputes. He has handled a range of high-stakes cases on behalf of major US and London market insurance companies.

Clients describe Jack Gordon as "a brilliant analyst with a phenomenally quick brain." He deals with contentious reinsurance disputes in a number of arbitrations. 

Joseph Ruby acts for London and US insurers in coverage disputes, and has been involved in complex matters relating to asbestos claims and coverage obligations. 

THE FIRM Clients are quick to praise this firm for its ability to handle the most complex and sophisticated insurance disputes. The team continues to be active in litigation and settlements arising from World Trade Center insurance matters, and is also involved in coverage issues arising from other disasters, including the 2010 Chilean earthquake and Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, Hugo and Ike. Recent highlights include representing Allianz in a range of environmental coverage matters.

Sources say: "Very practical and responsive to our needs."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Margaret Warner is held in high regard by peers and clients alike, who say: "She is very smart, very savvy and you don't want to mess with her!" She played a lead role in the landmark settlement of nearly 20,000 claims on behalf of WTC Captive at the end of six years of litigation surrounding the World Trade Center disaster site, involving the City of New York and its contractors. 

THE FIRM Troutman Sanders is able to focus on the most sophisticated insurance coverage litigation in the country, thanks to its dedicated D&O and professional liability practice. It also has a separate insurance and reinsurance group, which deals with more general liability and bad faith disputes. The firm represents a range of major insurance companies, and has been involved in particularly significant matters for Chubb Group and CNA.

Sources say: "Troutman has an enormous depth of experience and we really trust the lawyers' judgment. They are well regarded by other lawyers and mediators."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients and peers praise leading practitioner Gary Dixon for his deep experience and expertise in professional liability insurance. Commentators say he is "a very fine lawyer and probably the best D&O lawyer around."

John Gerstein is highly regarded as a litigator in the full range of D&O and professional liability disputes. He is experienced in representing the insurance industry in highly sophisticated multiparty cases. 

Clients describe Leslie Ahari as an "experienced, thorough and intelligent" practitioner. She has an active professional liability disputes practice, and recently represented US Specialty Insurance in a lawsuit regarding D&O liability policies.   

Experienced trial lawyer Wallace Christensen is praised for his skill across the board by insurance company clients. He is "professional, humble and just everything you would ever want in an attorney," according to interviewees. 

David Gische is deeply respected by clients, and peers view him as a strong and experienced player in the field. He recently represented Federal Insurance in lawsuits involving liability issues. 

Professional liability partner John Duchelle represented Federal Insurance in a high-profile rescission action regarding the issuance of professional liability policies. 

"Excellent litigator" Jonathan Constine recently joined the team from Hogan Lovells US LLP.

THE FIRM This firm represents insurance companies in the property and casualty, and life and health sectors. The practice also has a prominent reputation among peers for its professional liability work, particularly disputes arising from D&O claims. It also has experience and expertise in transactional and regulatory insurance work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Hockenbury has a strong reputation for handling professional liability and D&O insurance coverage issues. 

THE FIRM This firm continues to build on its presence locally and nationally with more standout work for primary client The Hartford. Interviewees are especially impressed with the team's deep expertise in various long-tail coverage matters involving asbestos and lead paint exposure, construction defects and environmental complaints. 

Sources say: "This practice group presents a unique skill set: it can litigate with the best of them but it can also resolve disputes outside of litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Excellent litigator" James Ruggeri leads the practice and takes a prominent role in the firm's activity for The Hartford. He has been involved in a range of cutting-edge matters involving both insurance and bankruptcy matters. 

THE FIRM Sources identify this firm as an effective presence in D&O and professional liability claims. It earns client praise for its high levels of service and its diligent and strategic approach to complex insurance disputes at competitive rates.  

Sources say: "The great thing about the firm is that it's very agile and responsive – if you make a call to them they respond very quickly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients agree that Lewis Loss displays judgment and strategy of the very highest caliber. He specializes in advising liability insurers on coverage issues arising from various insurance products.

Thomas Judge is well regarded by peers as a "very skillful and knowledgeable" practitioner. He handles D&O and professional liability dispute work, and is also involved in bad faith matters and commercial litigation.