Sales Practice/Class Action Defense
We advise and represent insurance clients regarding improper sales practices claims made by state and federal regulators, and policyholders in the civil litigation context. This includes class action defense in cases asserting improper sales or billing practices. We have represented regional and national life insurers and property and casualty insurers in class suits and in connection with investigations by state regulatory bodies involving allegations of improper sales or billing practices, violations of the Insurance Unfair Trade Practices Act, RICO Acts, and various consumer protection laws.
Coverage
Our comprehensive coverage experience includes counseling insurers regarding claims for first and third party coverage, and litigating coverage issues in all trial and appellate courts. We often represent amici curiae in matters of first impression that impact the insurance industry.
Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability
We defend insurers in actions alleging statutory and common law bad faith, and advise insurers regarding pre-suit claims handling to avoid bad faith claims. We also represent insurers involved in litigation arising from non-contract claims such as defamation, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and complex commercial disputes.
Life, Health, Disability, ERISA
We litigate individual life, health, and disability insurance claims as well as claims brought under these types of policies when governed by ERISA. We defend insurers in state and federal trial and appellate courts. We are also frequently consulted on a pre-litigation basis.
Insurance Defense
We regularly represent life, health, and disability insurers in ERISA and non-ERISA claims in first party and third party bad faith cases, suitability cases, and matters such as coverage declaratory judgment actions and interpleader proceedings. We regularly represent property and casualty insurers in complex, high value claims litigation in Florida, the Southeastern United States, and beyond.
Title Insurance
We have worked with every major underwriter in Florida, and on matters throughout the country. We analyze, negotiate, and litigate complex coverage issues, and are regularly retained by underwriters to represent their insured owners and lenders. We have represented underwriters on cutting-edge impact litigation, including Florida’s Butler premium rebate litigation more than a decade ago, and today’s reissue rate premium class actions in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Michigan. We have also represented underwriters in major regulatory matters and market conduct examinations, in connection with title agent defalcations, and in closing protection letter claims and litigation.