Department profile

Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer

USA Guide 2026 : New York

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer - New York

Band 4

What the Team is Known For

Debevoise & Plimpton is distinguished by its exceptional transactional capabilities coupled with a top-notch regulatory practice. The team also handles significant coverage disputes and other insurance-related litigation and has a strong government investigations practice, as well as expertise in follow-on civil claims. The firm is renowned for taking the lead on many of the most complex deals in the market, including those with significant cross-border or multijurisdictional aspects, and is also highlighted for its considerable expertise in handling litigation and transactional matters in the life insurance space.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advised Resolution Life in the acquisition of 100% of its shares by Nippon Life Insurance Company at a valuation of $10.6 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The firm is a good strategic legal adviser that is able to provide creative solutions and actionable guidance.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
The firm is very commercially minded, with excellent client service.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Debevoise has the deepest industry knowledge of any firm in the industry, expertise in complex transactions and a very commercial and practical approach to getting transactions done.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
The firm has extensive experience in the insurance sector, as well as deep regulatory expertise, both of which make it stand apart from other firms. The team is also able to quickly react and provide concrete guidance for fast-moving scenarios.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
The firm is flexible, responsive and provides expert advice.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Marilyn Lion
Marilyn Lion has strong capabilities in matters such as M&A and financing transactions. She regularly leads on multibillion-dollar cross-border deals.
Marilyn is able to really calibrate the advice and expertise that is needed for the situation. She is very focused and able to cut right to the essential issues.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Marilyn is responsive, creative and practical.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Marilyn provides sound, strategic advice.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
Nicholas F Potter
Nicholas Potter has significant experience handling high-value corporate transactions and managing strategic restructuring. He frequently advises and supports leading insurers, reinsurers and other corporate entities.
Nick can provide really commercial advice on a timely basis across a number of different complex scenarios.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Nick exhibits great judgment and finesse when working through difficult issues. He is someone who knows how to get things done in very direct and effective way.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Nick is incredibly effective and knowledgeable.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 2
Band 2
Alexander R. Cochran
Alexander Cochran has notable experience handling various high-value corporate transactions in the insurance and reinsurance industries. His clients include insurers, reinsurers and private equity firms.
Alex has excellent judgement, is thoughtful, measured and good in crisis.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Alex has preeminent substantive knowledge and industry exposure. He is entirely plugged in, along for the whole ride and really paying attention.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 2
Band 2
David Grosgold
David Grosgold represents clients in the insurance and financial sectors in a range of corporate transactions. He is especially recognized for his handling of high-value M&A.
David is an extremely committed and smart insurance M&A expert.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
David is extremely knowledgeable, very commercial and a strong negotiator. He proactively offers insights.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 2
Band 2
Maeve O'Connor
Maeve O'Connor is regularly retained to counsel insurers on a wide variety of complex coverage disputes. She advises major insurers on a wide range of matters including D&O disputes.
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Band 4
Band 4
Andrew G. Jamieson
Andrew Jamieson has a strong transactional insurance practice, with particular experience in handling public M&A work in the space.
Andrew is very smart, efficient and extremely pragmatic.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Eric R Dinallo
Eric Dinallo is chair of the firm’s insurance regulatory practice. He is recognized for his capabilities in both transactional and regulatory insurance matters.
Eric is fantastic and effective.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Kristen A. Matthews
Kristen Matthews frequently assists clients in the insurance sector with high-value transactional and regulatory matters. She is adept at handling cross-border issues.
Kristen is very strong in terms of subject matter expertise. She shows very good judgment, good instincts and is practical.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Kristen is extremely knowledgeable and able to use her expertise to cover a breadth of issues at once. I am very impressed with her responsiveness and openness to being creative and finding solutions.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Susan Gittes
Susan Gittes is recognized for her experience handling coverage disputes and litigation for insurance companies.
Susan Gittes is a very competent advocate, and very thorough.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
Susan is very smart and has a firm grasp of the issues. She provides focused, thoughtful and strategic advice.
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
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