Department profile
Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP

Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer

USA Guide 2026 : Illinois


Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP

Skarzynski Marick & Black is a preeminent U.S. law firm dedicated to representing the insurance industry. The firm is recognized for its expertise with a wide variety of insurance, including directors and officers, property and casualty, aviation, professional liability, cyber, and product recall and contamination coverages. The firm represents domestic and international insurers in their most difficult and complex matters, including the enormous exposures faced by the industry over the past several decades. The firm takes great pride in being recognized by Chambers USA as “a go-to firm for complex coverage matters.”

The firm provides strategic counsel to insurers with handling complex, high value claims, drafting policy language and responding to cutting edge matters presenting portfolio risks. It enjoys an international reputation for the strength of its advocacy and the level of dedication it brings to representing insurers in high stakes disputes before state and federal courts across the United States, international tribunals, and arbitration panels. It has achieved well-publicized victories in trial and appellate courts in cases that have shaped insurance principles and established important precedent. The firm’s success is founded on a deep understanding of the insurance industry – from the underwriting, claims, and legal perspectives – and its unmatched commitment to providing outstanding service to its clients.

Industries (1)

  • Insurance

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer - Illinois

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Skarzynski Marick & Black has strong national and international capabilities in relation to complex and high-value insurance coverage disputes. It frequently acts for market-leading insurance carriers and offers broad expertise in personal injury, asbestos, sexual abuse and opioid-related claims.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP filed three amicus curiae briefs on behalf of West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM).

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their responsiveness is outstanding and sets a bar within our department. The Skarzynski team is one of my go-to firms in the country for highly complex issues that require a high level of expertise.

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • They are focused, efficient and proactive.

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • They identify and provide recommendations on business risks other coverage firms would not even recognize.

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • SMB has deep knowledge and experience with a variety of complex coverage issues. They are detail-oriented, write excellent coverage letters and are thorough and responsive.

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Karen M. Dixon
    Band 1Karen M. Dixon

    Karen M. Dixon

    Karen Dixon is a respected insurance coverage attorney specializing in complex coverage issues and litigation with expertise in mass tort, personal injury and data privacy matters.
    • Karen has the knowledge and experience to understand the complexities of a matter, provides strategic advice and brings the diligence and organizational skills to manage every aspect.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Karen is an extremely solid, practical lawyer and is a forceful advocate.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • Band 1Michael M. Marick
    Band 1Michael M. Marick

    Michael M. Marick

    Michael Marick draws widespread praise for his successful representations of domestic and international insurance companies in complex, high-value disputes. His experience includes expertly handling litigation stemming from allegations of sexual abuse and claims concerning the opioid crisis.

    • He is a lawyer's lawyer, super-responsive and knowledgeable on critical issues. He works effectively with clients and consistently meets urgent deadlines.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • He is knowledgeable, even-keeled and able to adapt to the changing landscape of highly complex coverage litigation.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Michael is highly respected and influential in the industry. He is highly effective in obtaining favorable outcomes in high-stakes insurance coverage disputes.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Michael is an industry leader and highly sophisticated and skilled.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Michael is one of the leading insurance coverage practitioners in the country. He is experienced, knowledgeable, connected and strategic.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • Band 2James H. Kallianis, Jr
    Band 2James H. Kallianis, Jr

    James H. Kallianis, Jr

    James Kallianis demonstrates considerable experience acting across a range of coverage disputes, including those pertaining to asbestos claims, general liability and personal injury.
    • He is highly responsive, a collaborative team player and consistently reliable.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Jim is knowledgeable and displays sensitivity to the commercial considerations of the case.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • He is extremely knowledgeable and effectively helps to resolve several complex, high-exposure matters.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • Band 3Timothy Wright
    Band 3Timothy Wright

    Timothy Wright

    Timothy Wright has experience handling bad faith claims alongside various instances of coverage litigation.

    • Tim is talented and highly capable.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Tim is extremely responsive and thoughtful in his advice.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
  • Band 3W. Joel Vander Vliet
    Band 3W. Joel Vander Vliet

    W. Joel Vander Vliet

    Joel Vander Vliet offers a broad range of skills in litigation matters. He often acts for insurers in trial, appellate and ADR proceedings across coverage and bad faith claims.

    • Joel has command of the big picture and the finer details and is an effective risk manager. His wisdom and advice are valuable and he's not afraid to challenge critical issues.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Joel has strong knowledge and expertise in complex coverage matters.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Joel is reliable, responsive and consistently delivers excellent work.

      Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP (5)

Illinois

  • Profile image of Michael M. Marick

    Michael M. Marick

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer

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  • Profile image of James H. Kallianis, Jr

    James H. Kallianis, Jr

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer

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  • Profile image of W. Joel Vander Vliet

    W. Joel Vander Vliet

    Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer

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