Insurance: Insurer
USA Guide 2024 : District of Columbia
Band 2
Contact number
+1 202 756 8000About
Provided by McDermott Will & Emery LLP
McDermott’s DC-based insurance practice group is an elite practice with broad experience across high-value and precedential insurance coverage and insurance tax disputes, insurance tax counselling, taxation and governance matters in all pertinent U.S. and offshore domiciles, health insurance, claim evaluation, insurance program negotiation and structuring, and regulatory work. We handle high profile cases, work with prominent clients in the industry and have succeeded in ground-breaking matters.
McDermott’s practice is built on quality, not volume and is a ‘go to’ team for insurer clients dealing with their biggest litigation exposures, insurance tax liabilities and disputes, and captive insurance matters. McDermott’s high profile client base rely on our experience in insurance matters where much is at stake financially, for reputational reasons or because the issues presented have precedential importance for the industry.
McDermott’s practice is a first choice for clients facing complex claims and coverage litigation; cutting-edge captive formation, taxation and complex insurance program needs; Affordable Care Act and other insurance regulatory matters.
McDermott's lawyers have a wealth of experience in the captive insurance arena including advice on captive insurance tax litigation, structuring captive insurance companies, high deductible and self-insured retentions, trusts, offshore and onshore captives, risk purchasing groups and group captives.
Chambers Review
The versatile team at McDermott Will & Emery is adept at handling major coverage litigation, bad faith claims and reinsurance disputes. It has particular expertise in life and health insurance and demonstrates specialist knowledge in relation to captive insurance companies and tax-related matters. Its expertise also extends to disputes arising from long-tail environmental and toxic tort claims.
Work Highlights
- McDermott Will & Emery won summary judgment on behalf of Allianz against three of its co-insurers relating to nine-figure asbestos and environmental liabilities of their insured, Daimler Trucks North America.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"McDermott has extremely knowledgeable attorneys with broad experience in insurance matters."
"They set the bar for responsiveness, providing detailed answers to complex questions in short time."
"McDermott understand the broader business picture and strive for a solution that fits within regulatory requirements but doesn't hamper a business's ability to move forward in a timely manner."
"McDermott has extremely knowledgeable attorneys with broad experience in insurance matters."
"They set the bar for responsiveness, providing detailed answers to complex questions in short time."
"McDermott understand the broader business picture and strive for a solution that fits within regulatory requirements but doesn't hamper a business's ability to move forward in a timely manner."
Notable Practitioners
Margaret Warner is a celebrated litigator with extensive experience in coverage defense and high-stakes disputes. Her expertise includes leading her clients through cybersecurity, sexual misconduct, asbestos and professional liability claims.
"Peg is the best trial lawyer I have ever worked with."
"She has deep knowledge and experience and provides the highest level of client service."
"Peg is a tireless advocate and force to be reckoned with. We are always grateful she is in our corner and there's no one we'd rather have representing us."
Ryan Smethurst coheads the firm's insurance litigation and counseling team. He has key experience in a wide range of complex coverage disputes, in major cases concerning sexual abuse, bodily injury and asbestos claims.
"Ryan can be relied upon to consistently provide timely and excellent advice on the most complex matters and his steel trap memory for facts, law and details long forgotten by others is impressive."
"His thoroughness stands out - he covers all bases and is very detail-oriented."