Department profile

Insurance: Policyholder

USA Guide 2026 : California

Covington & Burling LLP

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Policyholder - California

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Covington & Burling stands as a powerhouse in the area of policyholder representation, with many of its practitioners being considered among the nation's finest. Consistently appointed by corporate giants around the world on their most high-stakes litigation, the team handles major matters such as environmental disasters, asbestos claims and mass torts. The firm is also notable for its experience in handling D&O disputes and cyber liability claims.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Covington & Burling represented 3M and Aearo Technologies in disputes with their liability insurers concerning coverage for litigation and settlement costs in connection with more than 250,000 individual product liability claims related to Combat Arms earplugs.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

They are the gold standard in the insurance client business. All of the insurance companies fear and respect them. They are also extremely good communicators with the non-legal members of the team.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Covington & Burling is the pre-eminent insurance group for policyholders. They know our company, our policies, and the insurance market.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
They are zealous advocates who learn about the needs of the client and incorporate them into litigation strategy. The firm has a deep bench of experienced, knowledgeable and responsive attorneys.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Covington & Burling attorneys are extremely smart and aware of the industry trends that frame the legal considerations. They are practical and able to provide highly relevant legal guidance.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
The team is extremely knowledgeable in insurance law and constructively presents arguments to achieve desired results; always responsive and willing to meet quick turnaround on deliverables.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
David B Goodwin
David Goodwin is a leading insurance coverage attorney who maintains a premier policyholder-side practice. He is regularly instructed by household-name clients on high-stakes disputes.
David is very well respected.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
David is an incredibly smart lawyer and one of the deans of the policyholder Bar.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
David is great to work with. He is responsive, helpful, and knows his area of law.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
Donald W Brown
Donald Brown is highly regarded for his insurance coverage practice and regularly acts for leading corporate clients. He has experience of handling a wide range of high-value and complex insurance coverage disputes, including those relating to environmental and product liability claims.
Don is a policyholder-side insurance recovery lawyer at the highest level; he represents the very definition of a trusted adviser.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Donald is a gold standard lawyer in the California insurance space.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
Martin H Myers
Martin Myers is relied upon by prominent policyholder clients for representation in coverage disputes on an international scale. He is particularly experienced in working with high-profile clients from the media and technology industries.
Martin is top-notch coverage counsel.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 2
Band 2
Christine Saunders Haskett
Christine Saunders Haskett is noted for her expert handling of insurance coverage disputes, and is regularly called upon to represent policyholders in complex litigation and arbitrations. She has experience of acting in disputes concerning business interruption, property damage and bankruptcy, among other matters.
I respect Christine a lot, she's very knowledgeable.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Christine is great to work with, very responsive, and she knows her area of law.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Christine is a very sophisticated policyholder side advocate.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Christine is an excellent lawyer.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 2
Band 2
René L. Siemens
René Siemens has experience in all manner of coverage disputes, including mass torts and environmental claims. His clients hail from a range of industry sectors, including education, sports and manufacturing.
René is very bright and a strong communicator who solves complex problems.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
René has an excellent reputation which is well earned.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Darren Teshima
Darren Teshima is noted for his adept handling of class action litigation and other complex insurance disputes. His broad expertise encompasses business interruption, liability claims, D&O coverage and cyber-related claims.
I can't imagine a better adviser on insurance-related legal matters.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Darren knows his stuff and is extremely pleasant to work with.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Darren is a really smart, excellent and dedicated policyholder side advocate.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Darren is very knowledgeable and responsive.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Darren is an expert in the field. He has a great courtroom presence, is a highly strategic thinker, and is attuned to his clients' business realities.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Gretchen Hoff Varner
Gretchen Hoff Varner has experience in handling a wide range of insurance coverage disputes. She is a well-regarded trial attorney and proficiently leads policyholders through litigation arising from data breaches and D&O disputes, among other matters.
Gretchen is a complete pleasure to work with. She has an outstanding manner with clients.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Gretchen stands out for her excellent demeanor, professionalism and persuasiveness. She is a comforting presence in high-stakes litigation and is capable of working with all personalities well.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Gretchen is tactical and a forward thinker. She is also a solid writer and is poised on calls.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Gretchen is killer. She is a great coverage attorney.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Rani Gupta
Rani Gupta is a highly regarded presence in the insurance industry, sought after for her policyholder-side expertise in complex coverage disputes. She has experience in handling product liability, general liability and business interruption-related claims, among others.
Rani is very knowledgeable in representing insurance policyholders. She provides quick turnaround on complex issues.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Rani is an exceptional litigator. She litigates in a calm and confident manner, which serves her well.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Rani is an excellent coverage lawyer and is certainly one to watch.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Rani has been at the forefront of complex COVID business interruption disputes. She knows it all, and has had extraordinary success.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
Rani is brilliant, responsive and effective across all areas of insurance disputes, from high-level strategy to the day-to-day management of complex litigation.
Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
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