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Tom’s practice includes coverage litigation, complex commercial litigation, and insurance-related counseling. His coverage litigation experience spans a broad array of insurance disputes, including those involving first-party property and business interruption, D&O, professional liability, asbestos and other mass tort claims, environmental clean-up, and lead paint exposure. He also frequently counsels Fortune 500 companies on many types of insurance-related matters. Tom’s insurance coverage practice is nationwide and has involved litigation in jurisdictions throughout the United States.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Achieved important policyholder victories in “first impression” cases involving insurance coverage for lead poisoning
Successfully obtained dismissal with prejudice at pleading stage of multi-million dollar commercial fraud case, with dismissal upheld on appeal
Represented numerous policyholders in connection with D&O liability policy issues, including rescission and allocation of defense and settlement costs
Experience
Achieved important policyholder victories in “first impression” cases involving insurance coverage for lead poisoning
Successfully obtained dismissal with prejudice at pleading stage of multi-million dollar commercial fraud case, with dismissal upheld on appeal
Represented numerous policyholders in connection with D&O liability policy issues, including rescission and allocation of defense and settlement costs
Represented policyholders in all phases of insurance recovery for environmental property damage and related personal injury claims in cases for a wide range of clients, including class one railroads, energy utilities, oil refineries, service station operators, iron and steel manufacturers, and others. National environmental insurance recovery practice has included cases in Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Texas, California and New York.
Represented railroad in actions seeking coverage for claims alleging toxic encephalopathy from solvent exposure and for claims alleging carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries
Represented creditors of major manufacturer with regard to insurance coverage claims arising from lead-related, asbestos-related and silica-related personal injury and property damage claims
Advised major manufacturing companies in connection with insurance-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
Represented major hotel/resort owner in disputes involving operation of indemnity and insurance agreements in litigation involving personal injury claims
Represented manufacturers and others in product liability, personal injury and toxic tort litigation
Represented law firms, health care providers and others in connection with issues arising under professional liability policies
Represented food manufacturer in connection with coverage issues arising from recall, governmental proceedings, and private lawsuits involving allegedly tainted food products
Represented companies against class action lawsuits alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Represented numerous commercial policyholders, including those in the manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, and retail industries, in first-party property and business interruption claims arising from hurricanes and other weather events
Recognitions
- Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list for Insurance Coverage, 2007-2022
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Insurance Law), 2006–2027
- Selected as one of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2002
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1989, J.D.
- Columbia University, 1986, A.B.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Illinois
- California
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Board Member and Co-Chair, Governance Committee, Legal Aid Chicago
- Governing Member, Brookfield Zoo
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
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