A varied practice ranging from complex commercial litigation to needs of local businesses and nonprofits. Beginning in 2023, represented a major Canadian insurance carrier in litigation in New York state court concerning decades of environmental claims. Developed strategy, prepared case budget, attended case management conferences. Conducted research and reviewed documents relating to insurance coverage as well as the policyholder’s environmental activities. Assisted in achieving a successful settlement in coordination with Canadian counsel in related litigation. Conducted factual and legal research, drafted legal memoranda and dispositive motions, and prepared for trial in defending against securities law and fraud claims in roughly one dozen related lawsuits and arbitrations in multiple jurisdictions.

Recruited to join the insurance coverage and general litigation groups. Worked predominantly on insurance coverage litigation and counselling, including drafting coverage opinions, as well as reservation of rights letters and disclaimers of coverage. Frequent court appearances as counsel in both trial and appellate courts. Prepared case budgets. Demonstrated expertise in drafting trial court and appellate briefs, taking and defending depositions, as well as drafting and responding to written discovery. Supervised junior attorneys. Evaluated suits on a wide variety of subject matter including insurance coverage, intellectual property, deceptive trade practices, unfair competition and civil rights.

Recruited as a member of both the intellectual property and litigation groups with a focus on analyzing and defending disputes regarding insurance coverage. Successfully defended an insurance carrier with primary exposure in landmark tobacco insurance coverage litigation resulting in a favorable summary judgment ruling affirmed by Delaware’s highest court. Drafted coverage opinions, as well as reservation of rights letters and disclaimers of coverage. Counseled clients on a variety of contracts relating to technology and intellectual property. Litigation experience also included areas such as securities, corporate acquisitions, and construction. Successfully arbitrated a dispute on behalf of a software developer regarding the scope and quality of a complex website for trading commodities contracts.

Began as a member of both the communications and litigation groups, later invited to specialize in litigation with a focus on insurance coverage. Designated a Practice Manager for a leading insurance carrier, responsible for an average of $80,000 in billing per month. Played a leading role in evaluating over 20 years of primary insurance coverage exposure to claims from more than 100 environmental sites during 5 years of related litigation in 4 different jurisdictions. Prepared coverage summaries and environmental site summaries used to support a favorable settlement through mediation. Achieved consensus among 14 law firms and their clients on final draft of a joint brief filed before the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, resulting in a favorable ruling for insurance carriers. Drafted coverage opinions, reservation of rights letters and disclaimer letters following reviewing and analyzing relevant insurance policies and circumstances of the claims. Extensive experience drafting trial court and appellate briefs, taking and defending depositions, and summarizing deposition testimony. Litigation experience also included areas such as intellectual property, corporate acquisitions and mergers, antitrust, products liability, employment, RICO, and constitutional law.

Researched and wrote memoranda on predominantly civil matters in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Drafted orders and opinions concerning pre-trial and post-trial motions as well as the disposition of non-jury cases. Drafted majority and dissenting opinions for cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in which Judge Kiser participated by designation.

Researched and wrote legal memoranda. Received an offer for a permanent position.

Researched and wrote legal memoranda. Received an offer for a permanent position.