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Extra-Contractual/Bad Faith Experience
Presentations and Publications
Insurance Litigation Attorneys
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Insurance Litigation
Insurance is a business. When insurance companies have legal problems, they need counsel that understand their business. We have experienced attorneys with a comprehensive understanding of the business environment in which our insurance clients operate.
Our attorneys represent the interests of insurers in all aspects of their business, including claims counseling, litigation, dispute resolution, reinsurance and policy drafting. A number of our attorneys have held positions in insurance companies, which provides us with a unique perspective on our clients’ concerns. We maintain a perspective beyond the individual case and look for solutions consistent with the long term interests of the company. Whether the issue involves policy coverage, avoidance of bad faith, representation in arbitration or litigation, reinsurance disputes or drafting policy language, we have the expertise to provide reliable and cost effective solutions.
Extra-Contractual/Bad Faith Experience
SmithAmundsen has experienced counsel that provide representation to insurers defending against extra-contractual and “bad faith” claims. Our attorneys have extensive experience in a wide variety of insurance coverage matters. The coverage background provides a necessary perspective for the successful defense of many extra-contractual claims. We understand the unique gravity of these disputes which often bring into question the institutional integrity of our clients claim practices or claim decisions and the personal integrity of claims professionals in their professional endeavors.
In addition to handling litigated matters, our attorneys regularly consult with insurers in an effort to minimize the risk of incurring extra-contractual claims. We understand the business of insurance and the issues facing claim professionals as they attempt to resolve claims on a daily basis. A number of our attorneys have worked as claim professionals. The experience of our attorneys with a wide variety of insurers in the insurance industry gives us the unique ability to evaluate claim handling practices, identify potential risks, and recommend solutions.
SmithAmundsen Insurance Law Alert:
Maxwell v. Hartford Union High School District
Moderator, "
The First 60 Days: Analyzing the Insurer’s Immediate Concerns for a First-Party Property Claim and Third-Party Liability Claim
," IDC Claims & Defense Tactics Symposium, March 25, 2010.
Co-presenter,
"
Mortgage Claims: Navigating the Choppy Waters
," 2010 PLRB/LIRB National Claims Conference, San Antonio, TX, March 23-24, 2010.
Presenter, “
Deposition Testimony: Preparation and Pitfalls
,” Illinois Association of Arson Investigator’s 2010 Northern Zone Fire Investigation Seminar, February 19, 2010.
Author, "
Liability For The Loss Of Clients' Personal Information: Randolph V Ing Life Insurance And Annuity Company
,"
The Business Suit
, October 14, 2009.
Author, "
Certificates of Insurance... Worth the Paper They're Printed On?
"
Insurance Insight
: the Journal of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois, September 2009.
Presenters, "
PLRB Regional Meetings
," Providence, Rhode Island (June 24-25, 2009); Lombard (Chicago), Illinois (September 9-10, 2009); and Austin, Texas (October 19-21, 2009).
Author, "
Voluntary Payments Clause Held Not To Apply AFTER Lawsuit Tendered to Insurer
," IDC Defense Update, Insurance Law, July 2009.
Presenter, "
What is Considered 'Material' in the 'Prior Publication Exclusion
?," Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel Insurance Coverage Committee, April 23, 2009.
Author and Presenter, “
Risk Transfer - Liability and Coverage Issues Under Illinois Law
,” presented to SmithAmundsen breakfast seminar attendees, Chicago, IL, January 29, 2009 and the Claims Association of Greater Chicago, Chicago, IL, May 8, 2008.
Authors, “
Recent Developments in Excess, Surplus Lines, and Reinsurance
,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2008.
Co-Presenters, "
Appraisal Options With Property Claims
," PLRB/LIRB Regional Adjusters Conference, Des Moines, IA, September 9-10, 2008.
Presenter, "
Coverage for Spoliation," IDC Insurance Coverage Committee
," May 8, 2008.
Author and Speaker, "Risk Transfer - Liability and Coverage Issues Under Illinois Law," presented to the Claims Association of Greater Chicago, May 8, 2008.
Speaker/Faculty Member, "
Negotiations and Mediation Training Seminar
," Liberty Mutual Insurance Group’s attorney development program, Wausau, Wisconsin, January 24, 2008.
Presenter, “The Admissibility of Traffic Court Proceedings in Civil Litigation,” Insurance Law Seminar, 2008.
Presenters, "Insurance: A Considered Asset," ACC Chicago, October 2, 2007.
Author, "Virginia Surety v. Northern Insurance: Illinois Employers' 'Kotecki Waiver' Liability Does Not Arise From 'Insured Contract'", International Risk Management Institute, CGL Reporter, Fall 2007 Supplement.
Author, “Insurer Liability for Extra-Contractual Damages, Illinois Law Compendium,” 2007.
Author, “Spoliation of Evidence, Illinois Law Compendium,” 2007.
Author, "Stranger Originated Life Insurance - A Review of the Law on Insurable Interest,” American Bar Association TIPS Life Insurance Quarterly Newsletter, July 2007.
Insurance Services Newsletter, Fall 2007
Insurance Services Newsletter, Summer 2007
Insurance Services Newsletter, Spring 2007
Christine V. Anto
Peter Maris
Jack Harrington
Brian S. Ebener
Sulema Medrano
John J. Ferrentino
David J. Arias
Michelle L. Casper
Timothy R. Muehleisen
Mark P. Broderick
Stephen J. Butler
Craig A. Cappas
Rayen P. Dennis
Joseph M. Eichberger
Timothy J. Fagan
Katie Irvine Falkenberg
Alan L. Farkas
Margaret C. Firnstein
Kyra E. Flores
Rosalyn M. Golden
Darren P. Grady
Ellen L. Green
Ryan B. Jacobson
Gregory L. Knapp
Nicholas G. Kourvetaris
Jamie S. Lane
Tonda V. Lee
Patrick J. Lubenow
Thomas J. Lyman, III
Suzanne J. Massel
Michael J. McGowan
Michael S. McGrory
Raymond J. Melton
John J. O'Neill, Sr.
Anna M. Kazaz
Kenneth A. Perry
Victor J. Piekarski
Ruth E. Robinson
Brian A. Rosenblatt
Julie P. Rubin
Larry A. Schechtman
Thomas P. Scherschel
Andrew C. Seiber
Erika Stamper
Marcie E. Thorp
Richard T. Valentino
Michael R. Vescio
Russell M. Ware
Hillary L. Weigle
Paul C. Werkowski
Daniel R. Whiston
Sandy Williams
Rachael G. Winthrop
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