About Us

Hannah E. Smith

Editor
Insurance Coverage Law Center

Hannah E. Smith, J.D. and CPCU candidate, is the editor for the Insurance Coverage Law Center, an ALM publication.

As Editor of ICLC, Hannah provides

• Daily updates, analysis and commentary on the most significant insurance coverage law decisions from courts across the country;
• News regarding legislative and regulatory developments; and
• Up-to-the minute reporting on changes to the insurance industry.

Hannah previously served as an editor for FC&S (www.nuco.com/fcs), where she wrote articles on policy analysis, emerging risks, and cases of interest to the insurance industry, and answered questions from subscribers covering various lines of business. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Chase College of Law, and is currently matriculated in The Institutes CPCU program.

She is a regular contributor of articles concerning emerging risks, and personal and commercial lines to PropertyCasualty360, Claims Magazine, and the NU Property & Casualty magazine. She is editor and co-author of the Personal Auto Coverage Guide 5th Edition, Commercial General Liability Coverage Guide 12th Edition, and editor of 2019 and 2020 Cancellation & Nonrenewal and 2019 and 2020 Licensing & Surplus Lines books. She also writes content for the NU Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist training program.

Rosalie L. Donlon

Editor in Chief
Insurance & Tax

Rosalie L. Donlon, editor in chief of the insurance and tax publications for ALM Media LLC, has more than 20 years of professional publishing experience as a writer, editor and content acquisition strategist. In this role, she focuses on property & casualty insurance issues as well as insurance coverage, policy interpretation, and liability concerns, as well as insurance litigation.

Rosalie has written and edited publications on employment and labor law, safety, retirement plans, healthcare compliance and environmental law. In addition to her experience in legal publishing, Rosalie has been in private practice with a small law firm and a benefits communications consultant with Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

Before joining ALM, Rosalie was the contributing author and editor of several insurance industry and legal publications, including Employment Practices Liability: Guide to Risk Exposures and Coverage and Guide to Captives and Alternative Risk Financing, published by The National Underwriter Company, and Connecticut Appellate Practice and Procedure, Fifth Edition, published by Law Journal Press.

Rosalie earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toledo College of Law and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Fine Arts from Fairfield University.

Social Media:
Twitter: @RosalieDonlon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosaliedonlon/

Robin Cohen

Chair
Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna

The recipient of numerous awards by prominent organizations and recognized as one of the very best insurance coverage lawyers in the world, leading litigator Robin Cohen has recovered more than $5 billion in assets for her clients during her more than 30-year career. Robin counsels an exclusive policyholder client base spanning industries and countries, astutely advocating for them in cases involving asbestos, directors and officers issues, employee coverage, employee dishonesty, environmental, first-party, product liability, toxic tort, and other claims.

Her excellent courtroom skills and trial success bring her recognition as one of the National Journal’s “50 Most Influential Women Lawyers” in America, a recipient of the 2020 Legal 500 “Advice to Policyholders” Hall of Fame honor, and Benchmark Litigation’s “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” in America. Robin’s talents have also been recognized in numerous publications, including 2017 Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2016 Chambers USA, 2015 Chambers USA, 2014 Chambers USA, 2013 Chambers USA (“outstanding in all aspects”), 2012 Chambers USA (“a real standout—innovative and fabulous all-around attorney”), 2011 Chambers USA (“spectacular and confidence-inspiring” and “she always knows how to resolve matters, whether to settle or fight”), 2010 Chambers USA (“an outstanding oral advocate and strategic thinker”), 2009 Chambers USA (“is always thinking three to five steps ahead on each issue”), 2008 Chambers USA (“is always strategic and very thorough in her approach—she is someone you can trust for the truly large matters”) and Lawdragon 500 (“a top-flight advocate for insurance clients”). Robin was selected by Business Insurance as one the 2011 “Women to Watch” and was recognized as both a national and local “litigation star” in Benchmark Litigation and Benchmark Plaintiff, as well as named as one of the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” by Benchmark for six consecutive years. Robin is noted as a “Leading Lawyer” in The Legal 500’s guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide for Insurance: Advice to Policyholders and has been consistently named as one of the Top 500 “Leading Lawyers in America” by Lawdragon. Robin was featured as a “winning litigator” in 2013, where she was one of only five lawyers recognized nationally for overcoming tough odds in a case with high financial stakes.

As lead counsel in groundbreaking cases before many of the highest courts in the United States, Robin routinely negotiates settlements in the multi-hundred million dollar range. Her dynamic trial presence, agile and quick-to-pivot thinking, excellent listening skills, and refreshingly direct and often humorous delivery gain the respect and admiration of judges, juries, and adverse lawyers alike.

Outside the courtroom Robin focuses on tackling bet-the-company insurance issues that materially impact the bottom line for companies and developing a strategy that solves the clients’ problems and utilizes the team’s trial prowess to maximize settlements against the insurance industry. Organizations rely on her to help them address a range of concerns, including coverage questions about losses stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, fallout from governmental investigations, securities litigation against directors and officers, impacts from the ever-changing regulatory landscape, and exposure problems brought by computer system breaches.

Prior experience working in the litigation department of a Fortune 500 company gave Robin valuable insight into her clients’ perspectives, such as their appreciation for brief, clear, cut-to-the-chase analysis and guidance.

This background enhances her ability to serve policyholder clients.

John F. Finnegan

Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

John F. Finnegan, who can be reached at [email protected], is a partner in the New York office of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP. Mr. Finnegan concentrates his practice on the insurance and reinsurance industries.

His background is quite diverse and includes trying more than 25 insurance and reinsurance disputes to conclusion as lead counsel, both in court and in arbitration; providing support in one fashion or another on countless insurance and reinsurance claims, both contentious and noncontentious; providing advice and counsel on myriad issues ranging from product development and regulatory compliance to employment practices and risk management; investigating and thereafter negotiating favorable outcomes when clients have run afoul of foreign licensing regimes; and providing counsel in connection with the formation of reinsurance sidecars.

Mr. Finnegan has obtained rescission and comparable relief on behalf of reinsurer clients and collected hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of his cedent clients. On several occasions, he has successfully turned back challenges that finite contracts did not transfer risk or adequate risk. His clients have and continue to run the gamut and include: insurers, reinsurers, managing agents, managing underwriters, third party administrators, run-off entities and brokers.

Mr. Finnegan is active in legal and trade associations and regularly lectures on reinsurance topics in both the United States and Europe. He serves on the faculty of the Strain Seminar. He has served on several committees dealing with state and federal civil practice rules and regulations.

Honors

Mr. Finnegan is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2010 and 2011) for his work in insurance law.  He is cited in SuperLawyers (2010) in the specialty of insurance coverage.  He is listed in Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers (2005-2007). Mr. Finnegan is also mentioned in New York Super Lawyers (2006-2007), International Who’s Who of American Lawyers (1995-2007), as well as Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys (2000-2007).

Education

• Fordham University, B.A., 1979
• St. John’s University School of Law, J.D., Law Review, 1982

Admissions

• 1983 New York

Languages

• English

Read Mr. Finnegan’s complete biography.

Laura M. Gregory

Partner
Sloane and Walsh LLP

Laura M. Gregory ([email protected]), is a partner at the Boston based firm of Sloane and Walsh LLP. Laura has specialized in insurance coverage and bad faith and the related litigation for more than 25 years. Laura’s practice includes assisting clients on a broad range of insurance issues including litigating declaratory judgment actions and bad faith claims, alternative dispute resolution (mediations and arbitrations), as well as rendering coverage opinions and providing advice and support for insurance companies on a full range of coverage, bad faith, and related issues. She has broad experience with complex coverage matters including commercial policies (commercial general liability, businessowners, commercial property, commercial auto, D&O, E&O, inland marine, cyber, and excess policies) and personal lines policies (auto, homeowners, umbrella, and renters policies), as well as manuscript policies. Laura has litigated hundreds of cases involving coverage, bad faith, rescission, material misrepresentation, and fraud, including a successful jury verdict on a fraud claim.

Laura is a frequent author and speaker on topics relating to insurance coverage and bad faith. She is also a bestselling author of #Networked: How 20 Women Lawyers Overcame the Confines of COVID-19 Social Distancing to Create Connections, Cultivate Community, & Build Businesses in the Midst of a Global Pandemic. She also posts daily on LinkedIn regarding insurance related matters.

Laura obtained the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation in 1999 and continues to be active with the Boston CPCU chapter as well as the national organization.

Laura is an elected official, serving on the Andover Select Board since 2017.

For more information read Laura’s complete biography and her LinkedIn profile.
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Sean Griffin

Member
Dykema Gossett

Sean Griffin focuses his practice on commercial litigation, with a specialty in cases involving allegations of breach of contract or fraud. He regularly assists clients with data security and responding to data breaches eand is an IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US). His experience includes litigating cases in federal and state courts and arbitration panels around the country. Sean also provides counsel regarding insurance industry and compliance issues, including government contract compliance, and he assists in responding to state and federal subpoenas.
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Timothy P. Law

Partner
Reed Smith LLP

Timothy P. Law, who can be reached at [email protected], is a partner in the Philadelphia office of Reed Smith LLP. Mr. Law regularly represents policyholders in disputes with their insurance companies, specializing in property and liability insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. His clients include the largest generic pharmaceutical company in the world and one of the largest home builders in the United States. Mr. Law also represents a number of small and medium sized businesses, universities, and governments. He has filed appellate briefs in state and federal court, including the United States Supreme Court in Humana v. Forsyth, which was decided unanimously in favor of the policyholder. Mr. Law regularly represents corporations in premium disputes and insurance insolvencies. In addition, he has extensive experience with mortgage insurance and directors and officers insurance litigation.

Mr. Law has been a popular speaker at seminars across the country, including those sponsored by the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Mealeys, the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, the Independent Oil and Gas Association, and the CPCU Society.

Employment History

• 2008 – Reed Smith
• 1997 – Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.
• 1995 – Law clerk for the Honorable Joseph J. Longobardi, the former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware

Education

• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law, Camden, 1995, J.D., with high honors
• Rutgers University, 1992, M.A., Eagleton Institute of Politics
• College of William & Mary, 1990, B.A., with high honors in Government

Professional Admissions / Qualifications

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court – District of New Jersey
• U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. Court of Appeals – Third Circuit

Read Mr. Law’s complete biography.

John Leonard

Counsel
Anderson Kill

John M. Leonard is an attorney in Anderson Kill’s New York office and a member of the firm’s Insurance Recovery Group. He represents clients in disputes over first-party property damage and business interruption claims, directors & officers liability, third-party tort and environmental claims, as well as in construction litigation. He is also a member of Anderson Kill’s Technology, Media and Distributed Systems Group.

Joseph P. Monteleone

Partner
Weber Gallagher

Joe serves as coverage and monitoring counsel for errors and omissions (E&O), directors and officers (D&O), employment practices liability (EPL), and other claims-made insurance products.

Joe frequently serves as a consulting and testifying expert witness in insurance disputes involving claims handling practice and industry custom and practice in the underwriting area. In particular, he has concentrated this work in the D&O and professional liability product lines. He also serves as arbitrator and mediator in insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes.
Representative Experience: Successfully litigated a D&O coverage dispute with a pro hac admission in California, avoiding a policy limit exposure for the client. Obtained a litigated rescission of a D&O policy in New York. Served as a party-appointed arbitrator in a major employment practices insurance dispute in an international forum in London, England.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Mealey Publications Insurance Advisory Council, Member
• Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Member
• American Bar Association, Member

Read Mr. Monteleone’s complete biography.

Roy A. Mura

Founder
Mura Law Group

Roy Mura is the founder and managing member of the seven-lawyer firm Mura Law Group, PLLC, headquartered in Buffalo, New York. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Buffalo School of Law and a linguistics degree graduate of SUNY at Binghamton. The author of the widely read and award-winning Coverage Counsel blog, Mr. Mura’s practice includes insurance coverage analysis and litigation, first-party property, third-party liability, auto/UM/UIM, no-fault, fraud and arson defense work for numerous property and casualty insurers on a state-wide and regional basis. He has successfully litigated numerous insurance fraud and coverage cases for insurers through jury trials and appeals in New York state and federal courts and writes and speaks regularly and frequently for insurers, adjusters, and investigators nationwide on various issues relating to insurance coverage, COVID-19 business interruption lawsuits, fraud, Internet of Things/connected devices, social media research for claims, underwriting and fire investigations, “bad faith” and the defense of first-and third-party claims. He is a member of and proudly serves as General Counsel to the New York State Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units. He is also a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, New York State Fire Investigators State Chapter No. 23, several local claims associations and the New York State and Erie County bar associations. He has also been listed in the New York Super Lawyers, Upstate Edition since 2012 and maintains the highest possible AV (Preeminent) rating with Martindale-Hubbell. He is married, has three children, four grandchildren, and all but gave up golf several years ago to maintain his bass thumb while pursuing his avocation for all-season fresh and saltwater fishing.

Seth B. Schafler

Partner
Proskauer Rose LLP

Seth B. Schafler, who can be reached at [email protected], is a partner in the Insurance Recovery & Counseling Group of Proskauer Rose LLP. He has extensive experience representing policyholders in coverage negotiations and disputes with their insurance companies, and litigating coverage issues in federal and state courts across the country.

Mr. Schafler’s experience covers a wide variety of insurance products including commercial general liability, directors and officers, professional liability, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability, property, business interruption, fidelity, marine and credit risk insurance, among others.

Mr. Schafler represented the lessees of the World Trade Center in the litigation involving their insurance claims for property and business interruption resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He also represents, or has represented, many major U.S. and international corporations including AT&T, Bausch & Lomb, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bovis Lend Lease Holdings, Cooper Union, Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, Gristedes, Henry Schein, International Paper Company, JPMorgan Chase, Keystone Shipping Company, Lucent Technologies, Neuberger Berman Group, The New York Times, Omnicom Group, The Philadelphia Eagles, Philip Morris Companies, PPL Corporation and Reynolds Metals and Take-Two Interactive Software.

According to Chambers USA, clients and peers recognize Mr. Schafler for “getting in the trenches with his clients and winning over his opponents.” He is a prolific author and speaker, has published articles in many journals, and was a contributing columnist to Risk & Insurance Magazine. Mr. Schafler has served as a faculty member in numerous insurance-related courses and seminars for the Practicing Law Institute and other organizations. He also serves on the editorial advisory board of InsuranceLaw 360.

Read Mr. Schafler’s complete biography.

Thomas F. Segalla

Founding Partner
Goldberg Segalla

Thomas F. Segalla, who can be reached at [email protected], is a founding partner of Goldberg Segalla. Resident in the firm’s New York City office, Mr. Segalla is a nationally recognized authority on bad faith, reinsurance, and insurance, and an ARIAS Board-Certified Arbitrator and mediator.

Mr. Segalla has been retained as counsel and as a consultant by numerous major insurance carriers and policyholders in more than 35 jurisdictions nationally and internationally, and has served as an expert witness in more than 100 bad faith, coverage, and extracontractual cases across the country. His active practice focuses on the defense and insurance coverage aspects of matters involving bad faith; construction site personal injury accidents; toxic tort and environmental issues; and extracontractual, product liability, professional liability and railroad litigation. He also has experience representing and advising life science, pharmaceutical, and medical device industry clients.

Honors

• • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV Preeminent
  • Top Rated Lawyer in Litigation, American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell, 2014
  • Defense Association of New York (DANY) 2014 James S. Conway Award for Outstanding Service to the Defense Community
  • Buffalo Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers in America 2014
  • Best Lawyers in America 2013-2015 (Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
  • Top Rated Lawyer in Insurance Law, American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell, 2013
  • Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition
  • Upstate New York Super Lawyers (Insurance Coverage); Top 50 List
  • Business First’s Legal Elite of Western New York (Insurance)
  • The International Who’s Who of Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers

• • Expert Guides: Insurance and Reinsurance
  • Who’s Who in America
  • Who’s Who in American Law
  • Who’s Who in the World
  • United Who’s Who – Honored Lifetime Member
  • Presidential Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers
  • International Association of Business Leaders, Life Member, January 2004, for commitment to sound business practices and having earned a reputation in the business community for vision, performance and leadership
  • America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals, 2003-2004
  • National Republican Congressional Committee’s Business Advisory Council’s 2003 Businessman of the Year
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel 2002 Andrew C. Hecker Award; “Bad Faith as a Continuum: From Claim to Trial,” Fall 2001; presented in honor of Andrew C. Hecker, a leader of the defense bar; presented July 27, 2002
  • Excess Surplus Lines Claims Association for contribution to the Association’s Fund of Knowledge, October 2001

Professional Affiliations

• American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel: Immediate-Past President
• Defense Research Institute: Chair, Publications Board; Former Member, Board of Directors; Former Board Liaison to the Insurance Law Committee; Past Chair of Law Institute
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel: Insurance Coverage Section; Reinsurance, Excess and Surplus Lines Section; International Practice & Law Section; Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Section; Insurance Industry Initiatives Committee; Publications Committee; Insurance Symposium Committee; Extra Contractual Liability Section
• American Association of Insurance Management Consultants, 2012 to present
• International Association of Defense Counsel: Ethics, Insurance/Reinsurance, International and Toxic Tort sections
• Law360 Insurance Editorial Advisory Board
• British Law Association
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance: Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Fraud Committees
• International Association for Insurance Law
• American Arbitration Association: Roster of Neutrals
• National Foundation for Judicial Excellence: State Liaison
• National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
• ARIAS U.S.
• American Bar Association: Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
• USLAW: Former Chair, Insurance Committee
• New York State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section and Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section
• General Building Contractors of New York State: Associate Member
• Bar Association of Erie County
• Western New York Trial Lawyers Association
• Defense Trial Lawyers Association of Western New York
• Insurance Club of Buffalo 1996, Director 1998-2001
• Buffalo Insurance Claims Association, 1972-present
• Utica Insurance Claims Association, 1990-present
• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Matriculated Student
• New York State Insurance Department (CPCU Sponsorship), Continuing Education Instructor
• Council on Litigation Management: Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Fraud Committees

Previous Experience

• Co-Author, Couch on Insurance 3d (West Publications)
• “Meet The Experts,” Matthew Bender & Co., Insurance Law
• Scribes, The American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects
• Mealey’s Litigation Report: Insurance Bad Faith; LexisNexis 2004-present
• “Bad Faith Update,” Mathew Bender & Co. (publication advisory board, 1999-2004)
• Adjunct Professor, Practice and Procedure, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, 1985-1990

Admitted to Practice

• New York

Education

• State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1972
• University of Miami, B.B.A., department honors, 1965

Read Mr. Segalla’s complete biography.

Lorelie (Lorie) Masters

Partner
Hunton Andrews Kurth

Lorelie (Lorie) Masters is a partner in Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Washington, DC office. A nationally recognized insurance coverage litigator, Lorie handles all aspects of complex commercial litigation and arbitration. Lorie has been deeply involved in representing clients on coverage for COVID-19 losses since March 6, 2020, advising clients on business-interruption, event-cancellations, directors and officers (“D&O”), and other coverages. She also continues to advise clients on a wide range of liability coverages, including insurance for environmental, employment, directors and officers, fiduciary, property damage, cyber, and other liabilities. She also handles various types of first-party property insurance claims, including claims under boiler and machinery, business-interruption, contingent business-interruption, extra expense, disability and other related coverages. She is the author of two well-known treatises, Insurance Coverage Litigation and Liability Insurance in International Arbitration: The Bermuda Form. The Bermuda Form treatise won the British Insurance Law Association’s 2012 Book Prize and has been called the “standard work on the topic” by the English Court of Appeal. Among other accomplishments, she helped found the American College of Coverage Counsel and served as its second President. Lorie also served for eight years as an Adviser to the Restatement of the Law, Liability Insurance, the first Restatement on insurance (published in September 2019).

Nicholas R. Maxwell

Attorney
Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna

Nicholas is an attorney at Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna. His practice concentrates in insurance recovery, exclusively on behalf of policyholders. He represents corporate policyholders in courts throughout the country seeking to recover under all major lines of insurance, including but not limited to property, cyber, D&O, E&O, and general liability. He has helped policyholders recover hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance proceeds through litigation, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Maxwell is Co-Chair of Anderson Kill’s Professional Liability Insurance Recovery Practice Group, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a New York Metro Rising Star for Insurance Coverage since 2015.

Julie Nevins

Partner
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

Julie has been litigating complex commercial disputes for over 20 years. She handles a broad range of matters, including insurance coverage, bad faith, business torts, contracts, real property, outdoor advertising and intellectual property. She has experience with various types of insurance coverage, including commercial general liability, professional liability, directors and officers, property and casualty, and media liability. In addition to litigating, Julie provides counseling on coverage and claims handling.

Eric B. Stern

Partner
Kaufman Dolowich Voliuck LLP

Eric concentrates his practice in all aspects of insurance coverage litigation. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, he focuses on the insurance coverage practice area. He has analyzed, written on, and litigated over various types of coverage including D&O liability, cyber-liability, professional liability, commercial general liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and homeowners’ liability. Eric has become a frequent presenter on multiple insurance coverage topics. He is the co-chair of KDV’s Cyber Practice Group.