This question posed in the title of this presentation is easier asked than answered. Max Chester and Tina Matic, Partners at Foley & Lardner led an interesting discussion on this topic, each of them presenting a compelling argument for whether or not Covid-19 should be considered a natural peril. Tina Matic provides attendees with the headliner that their presentation does … [Read more...] about Should Covid-19 be Considered a Natural Peril?
Event Summary
What’s Trending in the World of Arbitration?
AIRROC June 2024 Chicago Forum: Karen Borg (CNA), Martha Conlin (Troutman Pepper), Judy Harnadek (Resolute Management), Teresa Snider (Porter Wright) This panel addressed current trends in arbitration, including an introduction from the in-house representatives designed to provide “the view from the trenches.” The discussion included lessons to be learned from trends in … [Read more...] about What’s Trending in the World of Arbitration?
Biometric Information Privacy Act
The enactment of biometric privacy laws is a growing trend across the nation. Litigation Partner Josh Polster of Simpson Thacher gave a presentation at AIRROC's Chicago Regional Education Day 2024 on the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, a frequent source of insurance coverage disputes in Illinois and nationwide. This session focused on the implications of the … [Read more...] about Biometric Information Privacy Act
Bankruptcies and the Runoff Market
Kathleen Ehrhart, Partner, Smith Gambrell Russell, LLP, moderated a panel on “Bankruptcies and the Insurance Runoff Market: Impact and Implications” at AIRROC’s Chicago Regional Education Day on June 6, 2024. Panelists included Anthony Mormino, Senior Legal Counsel, Swiss Reinsurance America, and Shelly DeRousse, Partner, Smith Gambrell Russell, LLP. The panelists discussed the … [Read more...] about Bankruptcies and the Runoff Market
To Buy Prospective or Retrospective Reinsurance – That is the Question
As the panel of John Levy (SwissRe), Angela Sampson (Guy Carpenter), and Dustin Loeffler (Aon), moderated by Jose Martinez (SwissRe) explained, for those looking for assistance in growth, capital management, protecting against volatility, and desiring sufficient risk management, reinsurance is a good choice. Given the panel’s varied backgrounds as actuaries, they cited the … [Read more...] about To Buy Prospective or Retrospective Reinsurance – That is the Question
Keeping Up with Kimberly George
By describing her own career path from Field Case Management Nurse to Sedgwick’s first Chief Global Band Officer, Kimberly George treated AIRROC’s Chicago audience to a demonstration of her strategic views for her company and for employees throughout the insurance industry. Just don’t tell her you “fell into” a career in insurance. Her excitement for career development in the … [Read more...] about Keeping Up with Kimberly George
IRLA Does It Again – Another Superb Congress is Go!
IRLA Congress 2024 launched to a packed and enthusiastic gathering of delegates this week. The three day event, which is taking place at The Brighton Grand Hotel, has seen members travel from all over the UK, as well as some flying in from much further afield to be part of the annual occasion. Day One saw a superbly well appreciated mix of networking, social activities … [Read more...] about IRLA Does It Again – Another Superb Congress is Go!
Captive Finality Solutions
The intersection of the legacy sector and the captive market, particularly the options available to exit a captive or reduce the liabilities on the balance sheet of an ongoing captive was the topic of the presentation entitled “Captive Finality Solutions.” Steve McElhiney, Senior Vice President & Director of Reinsurance, Artex chaired the panel of state regulators, … [Read more...] about Captive Finality Solutions
Top Takeaways: “Understanding Mass Tort Liability Defeasance Transactions”
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Restructuring Partner Michael Torkin moderated a panel titled “Understanding Mass Tort Liability Defeasance Transactions” for the AIRROC Summer Membership Meeting. Panelists included Simpson Thacher Corporate Partner Ben Schaye and Associate Jamie Fell, as well as Aaron Eisenberg, Managing Director at Evercore. The panelists discussed the current … [Read more...] about Top Takeaways: “Understanding Mass Tort Liability Defeasance Transactions”
Cyber Hype…
The last session of the 2023 Summer Membership Meeting education program was a presentation by Kenneth K. Suh and Alexander R. Cox of Locke Lord entitled Privacy And Cyber Exposures From The Collection Of Information. A video replay of this presentation is available in the AIRROC On Demand library. Key takeaways from this excellent presentation on the most up-to-date … [Read more...] about Cyber Hype…
Produced Water Claims – Making Waves for Legacy
Christopher De Carlo, Senior Technical Advisor, Environmental Insurance and Sandra Gaurin, Vice President – Client Services & Technical Support of the VERTEX Companies, LLC participated in a panel with Brian Margolies of Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan LLP to discuss legacy claims associated with produced water during the July 20, 2023 AIRROC Summer Membership Meeting. A video … [Read more...] about Produced Water Claims – Making Waves for Legacy
AIRROC Welcomes Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance as Keynote Speaker
One of the highlights of AIRROC’s Chicago Regional Education Day was the keynote address by Dana Popish Severinghaus, Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance. Director Popish Severinghaus has served since January 2021 and brings extensive legal, policy, government relations and insurance industry-related experience to her role heading a state regulatory agency. A … [Read more...] about AIRROC Welcomes Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance as Keynote Speaker
Third Circuit Reverses; Dismisses LTL’s “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy Case
In the AIRROC Annual 2022, the authors published “Dancing to the Beat of Divisive Mergers; The ‘Texas Two-Step’ Bankruptcy Strategy,” summarizing the strategy and discussing several recent cases.1 Most notably, the LTL Management, LLC (Johnson & Johnson) case was discussed in detail. In that case, the talc claimants and others filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the … [Read more...] about Third Circuit Reverses; Dismisses LTL’s “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy Case
COVID Coverage Litigation and Its Variants: Where We Are Now and What Lies Ahead
The afternoon education sessions began with COVID Coverage Litigation and Its Variants: Where We Are Now and What Lies Ahead, presented by Julie Nevins, Partner, Stroock Stroock & Lavan; Erika Lopes-McLeman, Partner, Dentons; and Kelly Lloyd Lankford, Counsel, Dentons. Like the virus itself, the coverage litigation of COVID-related insurance claims has been quickly evolving … [Read more...] about COVID Coverage Litigation and Its Variants: Where We Are Now and What Lies Ahead
Civil Human Trafficking Lawsuits: A Growing Risk for Insurance
Susan Aldridge Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright (US) LLP and Marc Penchansky, a Partner at White & Williams, LLP presented on the following topic: Human Trafficking Lawsuits: A Growing Risk for Insurance. Their presentation covered federal and state statues that provide relief for claimants who allege they have been trafficked, as well as a review of some applicable case … [Read more...] about Civil Human Trafficking Lawsuits: A Growing Risk for Insurance
The “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy Strategy
Panelists John Cruciani and Scott Davis, both Partners with Husch Blackwell gave an insightful presentation on the Texas Two-Step Bankruptcy, explaining how it works and providing an overview of the Texas corporate statutes from which the maneuver flows. They also discussed the high profile case of Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”), as well as an update on other ongoing cases, … [Read more...] about The “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy Strategy
Litigation Funding and Social Inflation: An Increasing Concern for Insurers
On a sweltering day in NYC, AIRROC opened its Summer Membership Education Day with a panel of experts that described our own industry climate change: the social inflation that is driving nuclear verdicts and run-away inflation in losses. Just as climate change increases the intensity of storms, the social climate surrounding litigation has increased the potential for more … [Read more...] about Litigation Funding and Social Inflation: An Increasing Concern for Insurers