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List of Forms by Chapter - Chapter 1 — Basic Types of Policies and Coverage
- I. [1.1] Fundamentals of Insurance
- II. [1.2] History of Insurance
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III. [1.3] Components of an Insurance Policy - IV. [1.7] Concepts Fundamental to Analysis of Potential Insurance Coverage
- V. [1.13] Who Is Entitled to Coverage
- VI. [1.16] Types of Coverages
- [1.17] Personal Insurance
- [1.18] Homeowner’s Insurance
- [1.19] Personal Automobile Insurance
- [1.20] Other Personal Lines Products
- [1.21] Business Insurance
- [1.22] Commercial General Liability Insurance
- [1.23] Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
- [1.24] Professional Liability
- [1.25] Fidelity/Dishonesty Insurance
- [1.26] Workers’ Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance
- [1.27] Commercial Property Coverage
- [1.28] Other Insurance Products for Businesses
- [1.29] Government Insurance
- [1.30] Reinsurance
- Chapter 2 — Rules of Policy Interpretation and Construction
- Chapter 3 — Duties of Policyholders and Insurer
- I. [3.1] General Considerations
- II. Duties of the Policyholder/Insured
- Formation of Contract
- [3.4] Honesty in Application
- [3.5] Duty To Disclose After-Acquired Information
- [3.6] Payment of Premium
- Notice of Loss, Occurrence, or Claim
- [3.7] Policy Requirement of Notice
- [3.8] Time Within Which Notice Must Be Given
- [3.9] Delayed Notice
- [3.10] Notice Under Excess Policies
- [3.11] Notice Under Claims-Made Policies
- [3.12] Content of Notice
- [3.13] Failure To Give Notice
- [3.14] Prejudice to Insurer
- Notice of Suit
- [3.15] Policy Language
- [3.16] What Is a Suit?
- [3.17] Notice from Another Source
- [3.18] Delayed Notice
- [3.19] Notice to Excess Insurers
- [3.20] Prejudice to Insurer
- Cooperation
- [3.21] In General
- [3.22] Application to Others
- [3.23] Submission to Service of Process
- [3.24] Providing Information About the Claim
- [3.25] Attendance at Trial
- [3.26] Insurer’s Duty To Seek Cooperation
- [3.27] Insured’s Failure To Seek Other Coverage
- [3.28] Colluding with Claimant
- [3.29] Prejudice to Insurer
- [3.30] Waiver
- [3.31] Concealment or Fraud
- [3.32] Special Situation Duties
- [3.33] Duty To Produce Records and Submit to an Examination Under Oath
- [3.34] Duty To Care for an Insured Animal
- [3.35] Duty To Retrieve a Stolen Vehicle
- [3.36] Payment of Liability Deductible or Self-Insured Retention
- [3.37] Subrogation Claims — Preservation of Insurer’s Rights
- III. Duties of Insurer
- [3.38] Statutory Compliance and Bad-Faith Litigation
- [3.39] General Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
- [3.40] Duty To Provide Notice of Nonrenewal or To Renew
- [3.41] Duty To Give Notice of Cancellation
- [3.42] Duty To Offer Certain Vehicle Coverages
- [3.43] Duty Regarding Property Loss — The Appraisal Process
- [3.44] Duty To Defend and Indemnify
- [3.45] How the Duty To Defend Is Determined
- [3.46] When Does the Duty Begin — The Targeted Tender Rule
- [3.47] When Does the Duty End — Duty To Appeal
- [3.48] Extent of Duty To Defend Noncovered Claims
- [3.49] Declaratory Judgment and the Estoppel Principle
- Duty To Settle Claims
- [3.50] Duty to the Insured
- [3.51] Duty to Excess Insurers
- [3.52] Duty To Indemnify
- [3.53] Duty To Investigate
- [3.54] Duty To Preserve Evidence — Spoliation
- [3.55] Duty To Conduct a Reasonable and Prudent Defense
- [3.56] Duty To Keep the Insured Apprised of Developments That Affect the Interests of the Insured
- Chapter 4 — Choice-of-Law Issues Regarding Coverage
- I. [4.1] Introduction
- II. [4.2] Is There a Conflict of Laws?
- III. What Law Applies to Insurance Policies Containing Choice-of-Law Provisions?
- IV. What Law Applies to Insurance Policies That Do Not Contain Choice-of-Law Provisions?
- [4.7] In General
- [4.8] “Most Significant Contacts” Test
- [4.9] Special Considerations Regarding the Location of the Insured Risk
- [4.10] Location of the Underlying Lawsuit
- [4.11] Location of Premium Payments
- [4.12] RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS
- [4.13] RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS §6
- [4.14] RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS §188
- [4.15] RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS §193
- V. [4.16] Conclusion
- Chapter 5 — Duty To Defend
- I. [5.1] Introduction
- II. Overview of the Major Cases
- [5.2] The Beginning
- [5.3] Conflicts of Interest
- [5.4] Evolution of the Estoppel Principle
- [5.5] Clarity of the Allegations
- [5.6] No Allocation Between Covered and Noncovered Counts
- [5.7] Timing of the Declaratory Judgment
- [5.8] Conflicts of Interest Revisited
- [5.9] Sample Letter: Additional Disclosure of Conflict of Interest To Be Sent by Insurer
- [5.10] Sample Letter: Disclosure of Conflict of Interest To Be Sent by Attorney Retained by Insurance Company in Compliance with Peppers
- [5.11] Bad-Faith Decisions Not To Defend
- [5.12] Termination or Confirmation of the Obligation To Defend by Extrinsic Evidence
- [5.13] Termination of the Obligation To Defend by Payment of the Limits
- [5.14] Termination of the Obligation To Defend Following Trial Court Decision
- [5.15] Environmental and Toxic Tort Cases
- [5.16] Public Policy
- [5.17] The Targeted Tender
- [5.18] Other Estoppel Issues To Consider
- III. Strategic Considerations for Contesting Coverage
- IV. [5.24] Conclusion
- V. [5.25] Outline of Major Points and Supporting Cases
- Chapter 6 — The CGL Policy
- I. [6.1] Introduction
- II. Coverage A — Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
- III. Coverage B — Personal and Advertising Injury Liability
- IV. [6.11] Coverage C — Medical Payments Coverage
- V. [6.12] Supplementary Payments — Coverages A and B
- VI. [6.13] Who Is an Insured?
- VII. [6.14] Limits of Insurance
- VIII. [6.15] Commercial General Liability Conditions
- IX. [6.16] Definitions
- X. [6.17] Conclusion
- Chapter 7 — Claims-Made and First-Party Policies
- I. [7.1] Errors and Omissions Insurance
- Prerequisites for Coverage Under an Errors and Omissions Policy
- [7.2] Claims-Made vs. Occurrence-Based
- [7.3] Wrongful Acts Committed in the Performance of Professional Services
- [7.4] Errors and Omissions Policy Exclusions
- [7.5] Damages Typically Covered by Other Policies
- [7.6] Insured vs. Insured
- [7.7] Governmental Agency Action
- [7.8] Prior Acts Exclusion
- [7.9] Prior Policies Exclusion
- Exclusions Addressing Particular Types of Conduct
- [7.10] Dishonesty, Fraud, Criminal, or Malicious-Conduct Exclusion
- [7.11] Personal-Gain Exclusion
- [7.12] Business Enterprise Exclusion
- [7.13] Contract Exclusion
- [7.14] Special Issues Under Errors and Omissions Policies
- II. [7.15] Directors and Officers Insurance
- [7.16] Prerequisites for Coverage Under Directors and Officers Policies
- [7.17] Wrongful-Act Requirement
- [7.18] Wrongful Act vs. Business Decision
- [7.19] Requirement of a “Claim”
- [7.20] Notice and Reporting
- [7.21] Severability Clauses
- [7.22] Payment of Loss
- [7.23] No Duty To Defend
- [7.24] Claims Made and Reported
- [7.25] Disclosures of Potential Claims
- [7.26] Are the Acts Covered?
- [7.27] Common Directors and Officers Policy Exclusions
- [7.28] Exclusions for Coverage That Is Provided by Other Policies
- [7.29] Exclusions for Prior or Pending Claims
- [7.30] Exclusions for Criminal, Dishonest, Fraudulent, or Deliberate Acts
- [7.31] Insured vs. Insured
- [7.32] Personal Profit
- [7.33] Regulatory Exclusion
- [7.34] Tax Liability
- [7.35] Bodily Injury and/or Property Damage
- [7.36] Actual or Attempted Takeovers
- [7.37] Special Issues Under Directors and Officers Policies
- III. [7.38] Employment Practices Liability Policies
- [7.39] Prerequisites for Coverage Under Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policies
- [7.40] Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions
- [7.41] Claims Made
- [7.42] Duty To Defend
- Common Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policy Exclusions
- [7.43] Coverage Provided by Other Policies
- [7.44] Particular Wrongful Acts
- [7.45] Claims Arising Out of Written Employment Agreements
- [7.46] Special Issues Under Employment Practices Liability Insurance Policies
- IV. [7.47] Environmental Impairment Liability Policies
- [7.48] Prerequisites for Coverage Under Environmental Impairment Liability Policies
- [7.49] Environmental Impairment
- [7.50] Claims Made
- [7.51] Deductibles, Self-Insured Retentions, and Burning Limits
- Common Environmental Impairment Liability Policy Exclusions
- [7.52] Intentional Acts
- [7.53] Own Property
- [7.54] Particular Types of Damages
- [7.55] Sudden and Accidental Release of Pollutants
- [7.56] Special Issues Under Environmental Impairment Liability Policies; Allocation Among Insurers
- V. [7.57] First-Party Policies
- [7.58] Property Insurance
- [7.59] Prerequisites for Coverage Under First-Party Property Policies
- [7.60] Cooperation with the Insurer’s Investigation
- [7.61] Common First-Party Property Insurance Exclusions
- [7.62] Increased Risk or Hazard Within the Knowledge of the Insured
- [7.63] Policyholder Neglect of the Property
- [7.64] War Risks, Nuclear Accident, Governmental Action, Operations of Law
- [7.65] Damage Caused by Animals, Earth Movement, Volcanoes, Flooding, or Other Risks Specific to Certain Regions
- [7.66] Pollution or Contamination
- [7.67] Mold and Asbestos
- [7.68] Special Issues Arising Under First-Party Property Insurance
- [7.69] Business Interruption Insurance
- [7.70] Prerequisites for Coverage Under Business Interruption Policies
- [7.71] Common Business Interruption Exclusions
- [7.72] Special Issues Under Business Interruption Policies
- Employee Dishonesty/Fidelity Coverage
- [7.73] Prerequisites for Coverage Under Employee Dishonesty Policies
- [7.74] Common Employee Dishonesty Exclusions
- [7.75] Special Issues Arising Under Employee Dishonesty Policies
- VI. [7.76] Conclusion
- Chapter 8 — Reservations of Rights Letters
- I. [8.1] Introduction
- II. [8.2] The Duty To Defend
- III. [8.7] Options Available When a Defense Is Requested
- [8.8] Providing an Unconditional Defense
- [8.9] Defending Under a Reservation of Rights
- [8.10] Filing a Declaratory Judgment Action
- [8.11] Defend Under Reservation of Rights If Insured Consents After Full Disclosure When Conflict of Interest Exists
- [8.12] Agree To Reimburse the Insured’s Independent Counsel Under a Reservation of Rights When a Conflict Exists
- [8.13] Outright Declination of a Defense
- IV. [8.14] Use of Reservation of Rights Letters
- Chapter 9 — Common Exclusions and Defenses to Coverage
- Chapter 10 — Declaratory Judgment Actions
- I. [10.1] Introduction
- II. [10.2] The Purposes of a Declaratory Judgment Action
- III. When a Declaratory Judgment Action Is Appropriate
- IV. Where To File a Declaratory Judgment Action
- V. Necessary Parties to a Declaratory Judgment Action
- VI. Litigating a Declaratory Judgment Action
- [10.14] Pleadings
- [10.15] Pleadings in Illinois State Court
- [10.16] Pleadings in Federal Court
- [10.17] Discovery
- [10.18] Insurer’s Claim File
- [10.19] Insurer’s Claims-Handling History
- [10.20] Insurer’s Underwriting File
- [10.21] Defense Counsel’s File and Communications with the Insured
- [10.22] Motions
- [10.23] Burden of Proof
- [10.24] Trial
- VII. [10.25] Conclusion
- Chapter 11 — Excess Insurance
- I. [11.1] Scope of Chapter
- II. [11.2] Excess Insurance Distinguished from Other Types of Insurance
- III. [11.10] Relationship Between Excess Insurer and Insured
- [11.11] Insured’s Duty To Provide Notice of a Claim or Lawsuit
- [11.12] Insured’s Duties Under Voluntary Payment Provision
- [11.13] Excess Insurer’s Obligations Regarding Defense
- [11.14] Contractual Nature of Excess Insurer’s Duty To Defend
- [11.15] Excess Insurer’s Option To Defend or To Associate in Defense of Lawsuits Against Insured
- [11.16] Duty To Reimburse Defense Costs
- [11.17] Consent Requirement
- [11.18] Whether Defense Costs Are Included Within Definition of “Loss”
- [11.19] Umbrella Insurer’s Obligation To Defend Lawsuits Not Covered by Primary Insurance
- [11.20] Allocating Defense Costs Between Primary and Excess Insurers
- [11.21] Excess Insurer’s Reservation of Rights
- [11.22] Excess Insurer’s Duty To Indemnify
- [11.23] Failure To Maintain Underlying Coverage
- [11.24] Insolvency of Underlying Insurer
- [11.25] Coverage in Excess of a Stated Amount or “Applicable” Insurance
- [11.26] Coverage in Excess of “Collectible” or “Recoverable” Insurance
- [11.27] Exhaustion Clauses
- [11.28] Maintenance Clauses
- [11.29] Anti-Drop-Down Provisions
- [11.30] Bankruptcy or Insolvency of Insured
- [11.31] Settlement for Less than Available Underlying Limits
- [11.32] Exhaustion of All Available Underlying Limits
- [11.33] Horizontal Exhaustion and Selective Tender
- [11.34] Reformation of the Underlying Policy
- [11.35] Indemnification for Postjudgment Interest
- [11.36] Duty To Settle Within Limits
- IV. [11.37] Relationship Between Primary and Excess Insurers
- [11.38] Guiding Principles for Insurers of Primary and Excess Coverages
- [11.39] Relationship Between Primary and Excess Insurers with Respect to Trial or Settlement
- [11.40] Primary Insurer’s Failure To Settle Within Policy Limits
- [11.41] Underlying Insurer’s Premature Exhaustion of Its Policy Limits
- [11.42] Primary Insurer’s Assignment of a Loss to Certain Policy Years
- [11.43] Primary Insurer Can Settle Some But Not All Claims in Paying Its Policy Limits
- [11.44] Defense Costs Erode Primary Policy Limits
- [11.45] Proper Characterization of Costs as Indemnity or Defense Costs
- [11.46] Primary Insurer’s Settlement with Insured for Amount Less than Policy Limit
- [11.47] Duties of Primary Insurer’s Chosen Counsel
- [11.48] Duties Owed by Self-Insureds
- V. [11.49] Relationship Between Excess Insurers
- VI. [11.53] Excess Insurers and Coverage Litigation
- Chapter 12 — Bad-Faith Claims in Illinois
- I. [12.1] Introduction
- II. [12.2] Bad-Faith Claims Based on §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code
- Conduct That Constitutes a Violation of §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code
- [12.3] Knowingly Misrepresenting Relevant Facts or Policy Provisions
- [12.4] Failing To Communicate Promptly or Regularly with an Insured
- [12.5] Failing To Pay Either All or the Portion of the Claim the Insurer Acknowledges Is Due
- [12.6] Settling a Claim for Less than It Is Worth
- [12.7] Forcing an Insured To Litigate To Obtain His or Her Benefits
- [12.8] Failing To Properly Investigate a Claim and/or Basing a Denial on Improper Investigative Grounds
- [12.9] Failing To Affirm or Deny Coverage Within a Reasonable Time After Proof of Loss Statements Have Been Completed
- [12.10] Failing To Defend an Insured in an Underlying Action That Potentially Falls Within the Policy’s Coverage
- Damages Available for Violations of §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code
- [12.11] Penalties
- [12.12] Attorneys’ Fees
- [12.13] Costs
- [12.14] Prejudgment Interest
- [12.15] The Primary Defense to a Claim Under §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code
- III. [12.16] Bad-Faith Claims Based on a Failure To Settle
- IV. [12.17] Bad-Faith Claims Based on the Insurer Committing an Independent Tort
- V. Tips for Prosecuting Bad-Faith Claims in Illinois
- VI. Tips on Defending Bad-Faith Claims in Illinois
- [12.23] Argue That a Claim Under §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code Should Be Dismissed Because No Coverage Exists
- [12.24] Argue That Any Tort Based on an Insurer’s Post-Claim Conduct Has Been Preempted by §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code
- [12.25] Argue That Damages Under §155 of the Illinois Insurance Code Cannot Be Awarded in an Arbitration
- [12.26] Argue That the Plaintiff Has Failed To Plead What Is Required for a Bad-Faith Claim
- [12.27] Argue That the Plaintiff Does Not Have Standing To Pursue a Bad-Faith Claim
- [12.28] Argue That the Insurer Never Received a Demand To Settle Within the Policy Limits
- Jill B. Berkeley
Jill B. Berkeley
Jill B. Berkeley is Senior Counsel at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on insurance coverage litigation. She is a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel (2012 – present); a member of the American Arbitration Association serving as a member of the Commercial Dispute Panel (2006 – present); and a member of the American Bar Association serving as a member of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee; and a recipient of the ABA Lifetime Achievement Award (2017). Ms. Berkeley earned her B.A. with high distinction and honors and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.
- Andrew S. Boris
Andrew S. Boris
Andrew S. Boris is General Counsel and Secretary to the American Agricultural Insurance Company, in Schaumburg, where he concentrates his practice in reinsurance. He has been recognized as one of the top insurance coverage attorneys in Illinois by Illinois Super Lawyers. He is a regular speaker on insurance coverage and reinsurance topics on a national basis and is a frequent author with articles appearing in National Underwriter, Global Reinsurance, Journal of Reinsurance, Journal of Insurance, and RISE (CPCU Reinsurance Committee newsletter). Mr. Boris earned his B.A. from Boston College and his J.D., Order of the Coif and member of the Law Review, from DePaul University College of Law.
- Michael C. Bruck
Michael C. Bruck
Michael C. Bruck is a Founder and Partner at Spellmire Bruck LLP, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on professional liability and ethics, financial malpractice, insurance and reinsurance litigation, and complex commercial disputes. He has been selected for inclusion in Illinois Leading Lawyers for professional malpractice, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage and reinsurance law. He also has been selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers for professional liability, business litigation, and insurance coverage. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers, and Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Mr. Bruck earned his B.S. from Purdue University and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
- Karen M. Dixon
Karen M. Dixon
Karen M. Dixon is a Partner at Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP in Chicago. She concentrates her practice in insurance coverage. She is a member of the American College of Coverage Counsel and has been recognized by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America. Ms. Dixon received her B.A. from the University of Nebraska and her J.D. with high honors and Order of the Coif from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
- Catherine L. Doyle
Catherine L. Doyle
Catherine L. Doyle is an associate at Jenner & Block LLP, in Chicago, and focuses on insurance recovery and counseling. Ms. received her A.B. with honors from Guilford College and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was a research assistant to Professor Bernard E. Harcourt, and she assisted Professor Harcourt with a successful death penalty appeal before the Supreme Court of Alabama.
- John D. Hackett
John D. Hackett
John D. Hackett is Comanaging Partner of the Cassiday Schade LLP Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He concentrates his practice in complex insurance coverage litigation matters, with an emphasis on the preparation of opinion letters, all phases of declaratory judgment litigation, and regulatory/underwriting matters. Mr. Hackett earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University and his J.D. from DePaul University.
- Seth D. Lamden
Seth D. Lamden
Seth D. Lamden is a Partner with Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his legal practice in policyholder insurance recovery and counseling. He has been named a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel, has a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, and was listed by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 To Watch. Mr. Lamden has contributed chapters to several books and written many articles on topics relating to insurance coverage, and he has spoken at insurance law seminars sponsored by numerous organizations, various law firms, and private companies. He earned his B.A. from Brandeis University and his J.D. magna cum laude from The John Marshall Law School.
- I. Jordan Lowe
I. Jordan Lowe
I. Jordan Lowe is an associate with BatesCarey LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in insurance coverage. He is a member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations, the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, and the Defense Research Institute. Mr. Lowe has been named an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star. He earned his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and J.D. from Northwestern University.
- Michael M. Marick
Michael M. Marick
Michael M. Marick, a partner of Skarzynski, Marick & Black LLP, represents insurers nationally in a wide variety of high-exposure insurance coverage and reinsurance disputes. He is “tier one” ranked by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, in the Best Lawyers in America, and in other peer-reviewed publications. He is a Founding Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and an ARIAS•U.S. certified reinsurance arbitrator and has held leadership positions in the Defense Research Institute, the American Bar Association, and other organizations. Mr. Marick is a graduate of Denison University and Chicago-Kent College of Law.
- James F. Maruna
James F. Maruna
James F. Maruna is an associate with Cassiday Schade LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in civil litigation defense, insurance coverage, and construction. He is a member of the Chicago, Illinois State, and American Bar Associations. Mr. Maruna received his B.A. from Tulane University and his J.D. cum laude, Order of Barristers, from DePaul University College of Law, where he served as a research writer for the DePaul Business and Commercial Law Journal and received CALI Excellence Awards in Legal Writing III, Pre-Trial Civil Litigation Drafting, Litigation Lab, and School Law.
- Bradley C. Nahrstadt
Bradley C. Nahrstadt
Bradley C. Nahrstadt is the Chief Operating Officer of Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC, in Chicago. Mr. Nahrstadt is a Past Chair of the Primerus Defense Institute, has been elected to membership in the American Law Institute, and is a Past President of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. He is AV Preeminent peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell; was selected by his peers for inclusion in Illinois Leading Lawyers for products liability and medical malpractice defense; was selected by his peers for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers for products liability defense; was selected by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin as one of the 40 Illinois Attorneys under 40 to Watch; and was selected as among Chicago’s Top Rated Lawyers in commercial litigation, general practice, and insurance law. He has served as Regional Counsel for a national testing laboratory, for a large consumer of welding rods, and for one of the leading optical manufacturers in the country. He has served in the past as an adjunct professor in trial advocacy at DePaul University College of Law and as an adjunct professor teaching a litigation course at the College of Lake County. He is an award-winning author and has written more than 75 articles on various areas of trial practice and discovery that have appeared in numerous leading publications, coauthored course books for the Institute of Paralegal Education and the National Business Institute, authored a quarterly column that appears in the IDC Quarterly, authored multiple book chapters on issues related to litigation defense, and is a frequent speaker on law-related topics. He also serves as the General Editor of IICLE®’s ILLINOIS PRODUCTS LIABILITY PRACTICE. He is an active member of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the American Law Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Professional Liability Defense Federation, the Council on Litigation Management, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (member of the Board of Directors), the Defense Research Institute, and the Chicago-Lincoln American Inn of Court. He earned his B.A. summa cum laude with distinction from Monmouth College and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law.
- Daniel J. Neppl
Daniel J. Neppl
Daniel J. Neppl is Associate General Counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, in Chicago, where he provides legal advice to the firm. He has deep experience over a broad range of complex commercial litigation matters with an emphasis on disputes affecting the insurance and financial services industries. He is a frequent lecturer and author on insurance and reinsurance issues, general litigation matters, and trial advocacy skills. Mr. Neppl has received numerous professional recognitions including recognition by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers (2010 – 2017), The Legal 500 U.S. (2012 – 2014), and The Best Lawyers in America (2014 – 2019), as well as being selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers (2013). He earned his B.S. with honors from the University of Iowa and his J.D. cum laude from Creighton University School of Law.
- Gustavo A. Otalvora
Gustavo A. Otalvora
Gustavo A. Otalvora is an associate with BatesCarey LLP, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on complex insurance coverage litigation, claims analysis and counseling, and claims resolution. He is a member of DRI and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. Mr. Otalvora earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
- Michael H. Passman
Michael H. Passman
Michael H. Passman is a Partner at BatesCarey LLP in Chicago. He concentrates his practice in insurance law and related litigation. He is a member of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. Mr. Passman earned his B.A. from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
- Charlotte L. Wager
Charlotte L. Wager
Charlotte L. Wager is a Partner in the Litigation Department at Jenner & Block LLP, in Chicago, where she serves as the firm’s Chief Talent Officer and oversees all aspects of the firm’s hiring and attorney development. At Jenner & Block, she is Cochair of the Hiring Executive Committee, Chair of the Associate Development and Evaluation Committee, an active member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and a member of the firm’s Women’s Forum and Pro Bono Committees. Ms. Wager has been a featured speaker on hiring and development at programs sponsored by the American Bar Association, the Practicing Law Institute, the Illinois State Bar Association, and numerous law schools. She is a Past President and longstanding member of the National Association for Legal Career Professionals (NALP) and a former member of the ABA Accreditation Committee. She received her LL.B. from Queen Mary College, University of London; was a visiting scholar at the Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary; and received her J.D. summa cum laudefrom the University of Illinois College of Law.
Insurance Law 2020 Edition
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