About

Provided by Blank Rome LLP

Our lawyers have over 100 years of insurance experience, including substantial trial experience, between us. We work exclusively for policyholders – one of few firms in our market with this focus – and have recovered $7.5 billion+ for clients from insurers and brokers in the last decade.

Our concentrations include bankruptcy Insurance, business conduct liabilities, cybersecurity insurance, directors’ and officers’ insurance, employment insurance, energy Insurance, political risk insurance, business interruption insurance, and sports insurance.

Our clients are frequently defendants, but in pursuing recoveries, our "plaintiff approach" focuses on maximizing benefits and recoveries. While other firms in our area adopt a more defensive/settlement-type approach, we have a trial mindset and are known to fight hard for our clients’ interests.

Regarding insurance coverage for sexual abuse liability, we have recovered $1 billion+ in insurance proceeds in sex abuse cases, have worked on cutting-edge cases, and have secured multi-million recoveries for victims.

Two of our partners (James Murray, Steven Roman) are fellows to the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.

For decades, we've been on the cutting edge of new insurance developments, have been involved in ground-breaking cases establishing the law for insurance coverage, and continually push into new areas, including product recall, representation & warranties, sports and athletic injury, and credit risk insurance.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Policyholder - District of Columbia

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blank Rome LLP fields a high-calibre insurance practice advising policyholders on a wide range of coverage issues. The firm has key strengths in environmental, product liability and property damage claims and is frequently involved in disputes involving sensitive underlying litigation such as sexual abuse and sports-related injury. It is also involved in cybersecurity insurance matters and D&O claims linked to the False Claims Act.

Work Highlights

  • Blank Rome LLP represented Nooter Corporation in two competing actions in Missouri courts, including contempt proceedings against Evanston Insurance Company.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

John Heintz
S
John Heintz
S
Senior Statespeople
John Heintz possesses significant experience in the representation of policyholders in large-scale recovery actions and complex disputes.

John is an excellent resource and counsellor.

John is a very accomplished and highly regarded lawyer.

I have learned an immense amount from him over the years.

He is a fantastic and seasoned attorney. He makes sure that he knows the case well and that is invaluable to get the matter done.

Helen Michael
1
Helen Michael
1
Band 1

Helen Michael's broad practice spans issues such as product liability, insurance-related bankruptcy, class actions and mass tort claims. She is a highly respected practitioner in the space.

Her market knowledge is very strong both on the commercial side and legal side. She is one of the most pleasant and intelligent people I've worked with and has a wealth of experience.

Her guidance has been very helpful. Her key strengths are her insurance world knowledge and how to navigate this. She is great at explaining and navigating risks.

Helen is very knowledgeable and is willing to discuss and find a solution to complex matters in the insurance market.

Helen is fantastic. She is brilliant as a general counsellor. Her key skill is litigation and she is extremely strategic. She really thinks three steps ahead and is brilliant at strategising.

Helen is extremely smart and has an exceptional intellect.

James R Murray
1
James R Murray
1
Band 1

James Murray possesses significant litigation experience and attracts praise for his adroit handling of sensitive and difficult insurance disputes. He is chair of Blank Rome LLP's insurance recovery practice.

Jim is one of the best attorneys I have worked with. He manages client expectations very well and is highly respected by opposing counsel.

James is responsive, knowledgeable and has already seen the large majority of issues we face.

He is absolutely one of the best lawyers I have ever met. He is a great trial lawyer who is very knowledgeable and great to work with.

Jim has such deep experience in the industry and is able to draw on that experience to advise his clients.

He is a brilliant and effective lawyer. He's among the very best in this practice area and combines zealous advocacy for his client with an innate ability to relate to those who disagree with him.

Robert P Jacobs
2
Robert P Jacobs
2
Band 2
Robert Jacobs offers experience across an array of coverage issues, including sensitive and complex personal injury claims. He has notable expertise in matters with a London market component.

He is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and ready to handle large claims.

Rob is hugely experienced at running high-value and complex insurance cases. He's superb to work with, always on top of the detail and a great communicator. He gets very good outcomes for his clients.

He is a solid, tactical and experienced lawyer.

Robert is wonderful. He is well versed in dealing with insurers from various markets and we seek him out for his background, experience, knowledge and strategy in this area.

John Gibbons
3
John Gibbons
3
Band 3
John Gibbons is highly regarded for his expertise in litigating a wide variety of disputes on behalf of policyholders. His diverse practice includes claims relating to property damage and bankruptcy.

John is a really smart guy and terrific on coverage issues. He is creative and finds inventive ways to attack issues. You can tell he has a ton of experience and he is pleasant to work with.

He is bright, strategic in his thinking and efficient.

He is approachable, practical, diplomatic, confident and assertive. He's a diligent advocate and legal counsellor for his clients. He delivered all through the engagement.

John can take a collaborative position but is a strong advocate; he balances this well. Commercial awareness is a particular strength and he is good at translating legal issues into business advice.

Kyle Brinkman
4
Kyle Brinkman
4
Band 4

Kyle Brinkman offers a strong practice as an insurance coverage expert, advising policyholders on claims including bodily injury, business interruption and professional liability.

Kyle is knowledgeable and can break down the issues to provide a clear path forward in complex issues in the insurance market.

Kyle is an excellent business partner and counsellor.

He puts his head down and gets things done. He takes things seriously and I wouldn't hesitate to refer work to him. He is able to work on some really complex and high-stakes matters.

Omid Safa
4
Omid Safa
4
Band 4
Omid Safa has a strong reputation for his expertise in corporate policyholder claims and has particular experience in aviation insurance and product defects.

Omid's work is extraordinary. He is incredibly knowledgeable, hard-working and supportive of clients' needs. I would welcome the opportunity to work with him again. He has my highest recommendation.

He is very responsive and engaged. He did a good job of helping me to understand the situation, whilst not being dismissive of my view. He is also proactive in getting things done.

Ranked Lawyers at
Blank Rome LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

District of Columbia

Insurance: Policyholder

John Heintz
S
John Heintz
S
Senior Statespeople
Helen Michael
1
Helen Michael
1
Band 1
James R Murray
1
James R Murray
1
Band 1
Robert P Jacobs
2
Robert P Jacobs
2
Band 2
John Gibbons
3
John Gibbons
3
Band 3
Kyle Brinkman
4
Kyle Brinkman
4
Band 4
Omid Safa
4
Omid Safa
4
Band 4