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
Blank Rome fields a high-caliber insurance practice advising policyholders on a wide range of coverage issues. It 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. The team is increasingly involved in cybersecurity insurance matters and D&O claims linked to the False Claims Act.
Work Highlights
- Blank Rome represented the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in insurance coverage litigation against FM Insurance, pending in the Eastern District of Philadelphia, concerning losses stemming from the team's inability to use its stadium during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The partners are very strategic in their approach to handling cases and are always several steps ahead to ensure missteps are eliminated or minimized."
"Blank Rome is incredible responsive and attuned to the needs of its clients. It delivers high-quality service in a very focused manner."
"The team is outstanding and able to respond deftly and quickly to a myriad of issues as they arise. They demonstrate a breadth of knowledge that provides insight and perspective when analyzing a problem."
"The partners are very strategic in their approach to handling cases and are always several steps ahead to ensure missteps are eliminated or minimized."
"Blank Rome is incredible responsive and attuned to the needs of its clients. It delivers high-quality service in a very focused manner."
"The team is outstanding and able to respond deftly and quickly to a myriad of issues as they arise. They demonstrate a breadth of knowledge that provides insight and perspective when analyzing a problem."
Notable Practitioners
John Heintz possesses significant experience in the representation of policyholders in large-scale recovery actions and complex disputes.
"John is one of the leaders in this space."
Helen Michael's broad practice spans issues such as product liability, insurance-related bankruptcy, class actions and mass tort claims.
"You're always in good hands with Helen. Not only is she a great legal strategist and advocate, she also makes the effort to understand a client's business needs and ensures that those needs are aligned with the legal strategy."
"Helen is elite in terms of her intellect."
"Helen has very broad experience and a lot of smarts. She is one of the wisest in the business."
James Murray possesses significant litigation experience and attracts praise for his adroit handling of sensitive and difficult insurance disputes.
"James is indispensable and effective to achieving the client’s objectives."
"The best policyholder lawyer in the world when it comes to actually trying a case."
"James is a really smart guy. He has seen it all pretty much and has a deep well of knowledge."
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.
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.
Omid Safa has a burgeoning reputation for his expertise in corporate policyholder claims and has particular experience in aviation insurance and product defects.
"Omid is a terrific lawyer who is well known and hard-working. He is a rising star."
"Omid has done an outstanding job for us on multiple occasions. His follow-through and focus on the needs of the client is exemplary."
"Omid is unbelievably industrious and has an ironclad memory on the facts."
Ranked Lawyers at
Blank Rome LLP
District of Columbia
Members
Provided by Blank Rome LLP