Representing Insurers in General Liability Coverage Matters and Disputes
The attorneys at Kaufman Dolowich have decades of collective experience representing clients in all facets of Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage matters and disputes. Our lawyers draft insurance policies, assist in the development of CGL products and provide underwriting assistance and claims handling services. We also conduct coverage analysis, prepare coverage opinions and issue coverage letters in the full range of exposures falling under CGL insurance policies.
When litigation is necessary, our talented team of seasoned litigators advocate on behalf of our clients from the inception of a case through appeal in both state and federal forums. Our lawyers are nationally recognized with a proven track record of success in trying complex issues of insurance coverage law, and are repeatedly trusted by our clients to handle those delicate and novel coverage issues with the potential to affect the future landscape of the CGL world. In its 30 years of existence, Kaufman Dolowich has been responsible for numerous insurer-favorable precedents on key matters involving general liability insurance coverage.
CGL exposures exist for every business, and insurers across the nation rely upon Kaufman Dolowich to evaluate and resolve CGL coverage disputes for insurance policies issued to enterprises of all types, from multi-national corporations, to “mom-and-pop” shops, and everything variation in between. Our recent experience includes litigating coverage cases pertaining to construction defect and worksite injuries, premises liability exposures for manufacturers, retail stores and condominium associations, and advertising coverage for tech companies and brick-and-mortar businesses. Our lawyers handle coverage matters running the full spectrum of CGL claims, including additional insured tenders, multi-year damage and injury claims, “other insurance” issues, rescission and bad faith claims. Every issue and every client exposure is treated with the same level of professionalism and detail, no matter how large or small the case.
Efficient and Cost-Effective Solutions
When CGL coverage issues surface, the attorneys in our Insurance Coverage & Litigation Practice work to find the right solutions for our clients. We approach matters from the client’s perspective, ensuring that our plans and strategies are fully aligned with our clients’ business and financial interests. Insurers know that our lawyers are skilled and efficient professionals who always keep the bottom line in mind when negotiating CGL coverage issues and disputes. Each insurance coverage attorney at our firm works with clients to develop strategies that resolve coverage matters in the most expedient and cost-conscious manner possible.
Kaufman Dolowich’s attorneys combine their vast knowledge of insurance laws and regulations with a deep understanding of the industry to counsel clients in a complete range of general liability coverage matters. Our lawyers evaluate the merits of the underlying claim, review the terms of coverage available under the policy and assess the scope and application of any exclusions which may apply. Our comprehensive approach to coverage analysis ensures that our attorneys are able to provide insurer-clients with a complete and accurate picture of the potential risks and costs associated with the claim.
Recognizing that litigating a general liability coverage matter can be a costly and time-intensive endeavor, our attorneys aim to resolve coverage disputes before they escalate into lengthy courtroom battles. There are times, however, when a fair settlement is unattainable and taking the matter to court may be in the best interest of the client. In these situations, our legal team is fully prepared to defend our insurer clients in coverage litigation, and when necessary commence legal actions on their behalf, including declaratory judgment suits and rescission actions against insureds.
Attorney | New York, NY | |
Of Counsel | New York, NY | |
Managing Partner, Wilmington, DE Office | Wilmington, DE | |
Of Counsel | San Francisco, CA | |
Partner | Fort Lauderdale, FL | |
Attorney | Los Angeles, CA | |
Partner | New York, NY | |
Co-Managing Partner of Chicago Office Chair of Cyber Coverage Practice Group |
Chicago, IL | |
Partner | Chicago, IL | |
Partner | Orlando, FL | |
Of Counsel | Fort Lauderdale, FL | |
Of Counsel | White Plains, NY , Westport, CT | |
Partner | New York, NY | |
Of Counsel | New York, NY | |
Attorney | New York, NY | |
Attorney | Philadelphia, PA | |
Attorney | Los Angeles, CA | |
Attorney | Dallas, TX | |
Partner | New York, NY | |
Of Counsel | San Francisco, CA , Los Angeles, CA | |
Attorney | New York, NY | |
Partner | White Plains, NY | |
Of Counsel | New York, NY | |
Partner | Chicago, IL | |
Partner | Fort Lauderdale, FL , Orlando, FL | |
Of Counsel | New York, NY | |
Of Counsel | Los Angeles, CA | |
Attorney | Hackensack, NJ | |
Partner | San Francisco, CA | |
Attorney | Hackensack, NJ | |
Partner | Orlando, FL , Fort Lauderdale, FL | |
Attorney | Woodbury, NY , White Plains, NY | |
Of Counsel | San Francisco, CA | |
Attorney | Orlando, FL | |
Partner Co-Chair of Health Care/Managed Care Practice Group |
Philadelphia, PA | |
Of Counsel | San Francisco, CA |
- The Impact of RICO Lawsuits on Bodily Injury Claims: Guidance for Insurers, by attorneys Michael L. Zigelman, Yousra A. Depalma and Christopher A. Arcitio, published in Westlaw Today/Thomson Reuters, 9-6-2024 - Sep 6, 2024
- Kaufman Dolowich Welcomes Professional Liability Team to Westchester Office: Four Lawyers are ‘Go-To’ for Insurance Brokers and Agents, 8-1-2024 - Aug 1, 2024
- Best Practices in Small Business Claims Mitigation, PropertyCasualty360, quotes Partner Kristen Swift, 5-15-2024 - May 17, 2024
- Law 360: Kaufman Dolowich Opens Office In Del., Its 17th Nationally, 1-23-2024 - Jan 26, 2024
- Partner Eric Stern quoted extensively in Information Week article: Merck’s Cyberattack Settlement: What Does it Mean for Cyber Insurance Coverage? 1-12-2024 - Jan 17, 2024
- Partner Avery Dial, Esq. quoted in Gov Tech.com article, Cyber Insurance Roundup: What’s Happening Now?, 11-12-2023 - Nov 20, 2023
- “Insurers Beware: No Guaranteed Privilege in Legal Correspondence,” by Michael L. Zigelman,Esq. Eric Stern,Esq. & Kathleen Mullins, Esq., published by Reuters, 10-17-2023 - Oct 18, 2023
- Follow the Funding, authors Michael Zigelman and Kristina Duffy, for Claims and Litigation Management Magazine, July 2023 - Aug 14, 2023
- Can insurers be ensured repayment of defense costs without an express recoupment clause?, By Michael L. Zigelman, Esq., and Daniel H. Brody, Esq., Reuters Legal News, 4-27-2023 - Apr 28, 2023
- Fla. Insurance Reforms Could Clobber Smaller Legal Claims, Law 360, Brett Smith quoted, 2-16-2023 - Feb 21, 2023
- Partner Louie Castoria quoted in USA Today article: E-bikes are affordable, practical and good for the planet. But is America ready for these speedy cycles?, 11-12-2022 - Nov 14, 2022
- The Domino Effect of Runaway Jury Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Venues, authors Megan Yllanes, Esq., & Matthew Solomon, Esq., New York Law Journal, 10-11-22 - Oct 11, 2022
- KD Partner Louie Castoria Named a Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyer in California, 9-21-2022 - Sep 21, 2022
- KD Alert: Win the Battle, Lose the War – Offers of Judgment (FRCP 68) Can Be Accepted After A Grant of Summary Judgment in the Ninth Circuit, May 25, 2022 - May 25, 2022
- D&O Insurance Can Shelter Against ESG Risks, Experts Say, Law360, Ivan Dolowich quoted, April 14, 2022 - Apr 18, 2022
- Kaufman Dolowich Expands Footprint into Dallas and New Orleans; Adds The Myers Law Group and its Six Attorneys, The New Orleans Sun, April 15, 2022 - Apr 15, 2022
- Kaufman Dolowich Grows To Dallas, New Orleans Via Merger, Law 360, April 13, 2022 - Apr 14, 2022
- Kaufman Dolowich Expands Footprint into Dallas and New Orleans; Adds The Myers Law Group and its Six Attorneys - Apr 13, 2022
- News Release: KD Law Promotes Six Attorneys to Partnership Elevates Four to Of Counsel - Feb 23, 2022
- A Changing Boardroom Climate: Insurance Planning w/ ESG in Mind, Reuters, authors Michael Zigelman, Patrick Kennell, & Matthew Lee, Sept. 24, 2021 - Sep 27, 2021
- Five Lousy Reasons to Fire and Sue your Lawyer, The Daily Journal, August 19, 2021, by Louie Castoria - Aug 24, 2021
- San Francisco Clarifies Vaccination Mandate for High-Risk Jobs, SHRM, ft. Marcus Dong - Jul 28, 2021
- Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial General Liability Policies - Apr 2, 2020
- Seven Steps to Prepare for the Coronavirus Claim Tsunami - Mar 31, 2020
- The 2019 West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar – Joe Miele Presenting – May 9-10, 2019 - Mar 11, 2019
- Owner’s due diligence on contractor’s insurance coverage shouldn’t end at the project’s completion, NYREJ - Nov 19, 2018
- Declaratory Judgment Actions in Faulty Workmanships Claim Submissions, Legal Intelligencer - Aug 24, 2018
- New York declares no additional insured coverage unless the insured proximately caused the injury/damage, NYREJ - Jul 10, 2017
Awards & Honors
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