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President’s Message Dear Fellows,
Koorosh (KT) Talieh Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Washington, DC
As we wrap up the last weeks of summer and look forward to Fall, I wanted to take a moment to share how impressed I have been by the tremendous amount of work done behind the scenes that makes the College such a special place. In every committee meeting, programming conference call, and initiative I have had the opportunity to participate in or observe, I have been struck by the incredible dedication, thoughtfulness, and generosity of time and ideas of our Fellows. It is a testament to the commitment of you—our Fellows—that the College continues to thrive as the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing the creative, ethical, and efficient adjudication of insurance coverage and extracontractual disputes and enhancing the civility and quality of the practice of insurance law. Thank you for everything you do to support and advance the mission of the College. Keep up the good work! Our major Fall event is just around the corner—the ACCC Annual Insurance Law Symposium at Georgia State University— and I hope many of you will join us
in Atlanta on November 6, 2026. (Click here to register.) This year’s symposium features an exceptionally robust program addressing a wide range of timely and important insurance coverage issues. My sincere thanks go to our program Co-Chairs, John Bonnie and Larry Bracken, whose hard work and thoughtful planning have produced what promises to be an outstanding program. I also want to express our deep appreciation to Professor Hal Weston for his invaluable guidance, insights, and generosity in hosting the College at Georgia State University. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to another exceptional symposium. Planning is also underway for our 2027 Annual Meeting in Chicago from May 5 through 7, 2027. I encourage every Fellow who has an idea for a compelling presentation or panel discussion to submit a program proposal. Fresh ideas and diverse perspectives are what keep our programming among the very best in the coverage space. Our Annual Meeting CoChairs, Vince Morgan and Christina May (Continued on the following page)
IN THIS ISSUE UC Law SF Mediation Survey 3 Strategic Partnership Between ACCC and Connecticut Insurance ACCC 14th Annual Meeting Event Summary 3 Law Journal Bears First Fruit 7 10th Annual Law School Strengthening the Bar: The ACCC Symposium to be held in Calling All ACCC Authors! 8 Atlanta November 6, 2026 6 Job Board as a Career Hub 11 Member Spotlight 17
ACCC 2026-2027 Committee Co-Chair Appointments 12 Meet New Fellows 13 Members News 19 Upcoming Events 31 Welcome New Fellows! 31 Nominate a New ACCC Fellow 32
President’s Message (Continued) (Continued from the previous page)
Bolin, together with Vice Chairs Helen Michael and Stephen Melendi, are already hard at work developing another outstanding program, and your proposals will help make the Annual Meeting even stronger. As noted above, one of the greatest strengths of the College has always been the willingness of its Fellows to contribute their time and talents. If you have not yet become active on one of our committees— particularly if you are one of our newer Fellows—I encourage you to do so. (Click here to join a committee.) The committees are where the real work of the College gets done. They are where ideas are developed, initiatives are launched, meaningful contributions are made, and lasting professional relationships are built. That spirit of engagement has been on full display through the outstanding work of our Pop-Up Committee, which continues to present timely and practical programming throughout the year. Its most recent presentation, “Transitioning to the Next Generation: Business and Practice Succession Planning of an Insurance Coverage Practice,” featured former ACCC Presidents Mary McCutcheon and Bruce Celebrezze. Their thoughtful discussion of succession planning, client transitions, and preparing the next generation of coverage lawyers
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was both insightful and highly practical. My thanks to Mary, Bruce, and everyone involved in making that program such a valuable presentation for our Fellows. Speaking of the next generation, I encourage each of you to take a few moments to consider whether there are outstanding practitioners, law professors, or judges who meet the College’s rigorous standards for membership. The continued strength of the College depends upon identifying and welcoming exceptional new Fellows who will carry forward our mission of excellence, collegiality, and leadership in insurance law. Your nominations play a vital role in ensuring that the College continues to flourish for years to come. (Click here for details on submitting a nomination.) I am pleased to announce that invitations for the Honorary Fellow Research Grant Proposals have now been distributed. I encourage all our Honorary Fellows to consider submitting a research proposal. This grant program reflects the College’s commitment to advancing thoughtful scholarship that benefits both academia and the practicing bar. We look forward to showcasing the selected research through a presentation at either our 2027 Annual Meeting or next year’s Law Symposium. The College continues its efforts to expand its reach and visibility. We have recently engaged in
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outreach to nearly ten insurance industry publications, and I am delighted by the interest we have received thus far. In particular, I would like to recognize FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation and Global Legal Post for their interest in working with us to highlight the expertise of our Fellows and the important work of the College in their publications. These relationships present exciting opportunities for us to broaden our voice within the insurance coverage and extracontractual/ bad-faith legal communities. Finally, I want to thank every Fellow who has contributed to the ongoing work of the College— whether through committee service, speaking, writing, recruiting new Fellows, or simply volunteering your time whenever called upon. Your dedication is what makes the College so special. If you have been thinking about becoming more involved, there has never been a better time. We have exciting opportunities ahead, and we welcome your ideas, your energy, and your participation. I look forward to seeing many of you in Atlanta in November for what promises to be an outstanding Law Symposium. With appreciation, Koorosh Talieh President American College of Coverage Counsel
UC Law SF Mediation Survey Shape the Future of Commercial Dispute Resolution: UC Law SF Mediation Survey Fellows of the ACCC understand firsthand the critical role mediation plays in resolving complex, high-stakes coverage disputes. However, despite billions of dollars passing through commercial mediation annually, empirical data on what truly makes the process effective remains scarce. To bridge this gap, the Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the University of California College of Law, San
Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) is conducting a landmark national study—and your insights as an experienced practitioner are essential.
Why Your Perspective Matters Whether you have participated in one commercial mediation or hundreds— whatever your role—your real-world feedback will help identify what works, what falls short, and how commercial dispute resolution can be improved nationwide. Key Survey Details: ` Time Commitment: Approximately 10 minutes ` Privacy & Anonymity: Entirely confidential. No identifying information is collected unless provided voluntarily, and raw data will not be shared with external organizations.
` Industry Support: Backed by AAA/ICDR, CPR Institute, JAMS, and an Advisory Council of leading dispute resolution experts. The findings will be published in a comprehensive national report designed to offer actionable guidance for counsel, businesses, mediators, and policymakers. It will also be presented to Fellows at an upcoming ACCC annual law insurance symposium or annual conference. Take a few moments to share your expertise and help elevate the practice of commercial mediation. Take the UC Law SF Mediation Survey Here
Save the Date: ACCC 2027 Annual Meeting Mark your calendars for May 5 – 7, 2027. The State of the Art: Insurance Coverage and Litigation in 2027 Yesterday’s policy language is no longer enough to resolve today’s complex losses. Artificial
intelligence, cyber exposures, climate catastrophes, social inflation, and regulatory shifts are transforming both the insurance landscape and the litigation surrounding it. The ACCC 2027
Annual Meeting will explore the state of the art in insurance coverage law. The ACCC is pleased to announce our 2027 Annual Meeting will return to the historic InterContinental
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Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. Join your fellow ACCC Fellows for three days of highlevel discourse, collegiality, and professional development. Following the success of our 2026 gathering, our planning committee is curating engaging programming designed to address the most
pressing issues in insurance coverage and bad-faith litigation.
Why Attend? The Annual Meeting remains the premier opportunity for ACCC Fellows to connect, exchange insights, and shape the future of our practice area. Highlights for 2027 will include:
Co-Chairs:
Christina May Bolin
Vince Morgan
Christian & Small LLP
Winstead PC
Co-Vice Chairs:
` Cutting-Edge Programming: A full agenda of panel sessions featuring leading practitioners, jurists, and academics exploring emerging trends in coverage, AI, cyber liability, and more. ` Committee Engagement: Dedicated time for ACCC committees to convene, collaborate, and plan strategic initiatives for the coming year. ` Distinguished Networking: Reconnect with colleagues during our signature social events, including the Welcome Cocktail Reception and the Annual Awards Dinner, where we will recognize the recipients of the Thomas F. Segalla Service Award and the Edward Currie Founder’s Award. ` New Fellow Induction: Celebrate the newest class of ACCC Fellows during our formal induction ceremony. For questions regarding submissions or proposal development, feel free to contact the 2027 Conference Planning Committee at annualconference@ americancollegecoverage.org.
Event Logistics
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Stephen Melendi
Helen Michael
Tollefson Bradley Mitchell & Melendi, LLP
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Dates: May 5 – 7, 2027 Location: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, 505 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL Eligibility: This meeting is open exclusively to ACCC Fellows.
Agenda and Registration The conference planning committee is currently finalizing the curriculum and speaker lineup to ensure the sessions remain at the forefront of the evolving insurance law landscape. A full agenda
and registration details will be announced in the coming months. Please save these dates and watch your inbox for further updates regarding hotel room blocks, registration rates, and program highlights.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Chicago! Questions regarding the 2027 Annual Meeting or the speaker submission process may be directed to info@americancollegecoverage.org.
Call for Proposals: Share Your Expertise
The planning committee invites panel proposals that go beyond introductory overviews to examine the defining legal questions of tomorrow and their immediate impact on how we practice today. If you are interested in coordinating a panel for the 2027 Annual Meeting, please submit your topic proposal using the link below: Submit Your Speaker Proposal Here
Submission Deadline, Monday, September 28, 2026 at Noon ET.
Thank you to our Conference Sponsors:
Welcome Reception Sponsor Friday Breakfast Sponsor
Beverage Station Sponsor
General Reception Sponsor
Welcome Reception Sponsor
Luncheon Sponsor
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10th Annual Law School Symposium to be held in Atlanta November 6, 2026 Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia will be the site of the ACCC’s 10th Annual Law School Symposium, which will offer panel presentations on a slate of cutting-edge insurance topics and highlight emerging insurance industry challenges and trends. Mark your calendars now and plan on joining us for the Symposium.
To advance the goal of legal professional outreach and education, the Symposium will include presentations on a broad range of third and first-party insurance topics of combined interest to law students and seasoned insurance coverage professionals. The day-long series of panel discussions will include the perspectives
2026 Insurance Law Symposium Co-Chairs:
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John Bonnie
Larry Bracken
Weinberg Wheeler Atlanta, GA
Hunton Atlanta, GA
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of policyholder and insurerside counsel, as well as industry, academic and judicial representatives. We are (nearly) guaranteeing moderate and enjoyable Fall weather for an event that will unfold over a tight two block radius in Atlanta’s vibrant Buckhead neighborhood. The Symposium will be held at Georgia State University (GSU)’s impressive Terry Executive Education Center overlooking the Atlanta skyline. A group hotel block has been arranged at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is just a few steps away from the GSU Buckhead campus. For anyone arriving early on Thursday, November 5, please join us at 7:00 p.m. for a preSymposium dinner at South City Kitchen. In addition to offering your fill of delicious Southern cuisine, the restaurant is also just a few steps from the hotel.
For those with later flights out of Atlanta on Friday, at the conclusion of the Symposium on Friday afternoon we will return to South City Kitchen for a cocktail reception. Be on the lookout via email for Symposium registration details, hotel booking, and Thursday night dinner reservations. The hotel and GSU facility are just .2 miles (an easy four-minute walk) from the Buckhead Station of Atlanta’s rapid rail system, MARTA,
which also has a stop inside Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The Airport and the Buckhead Station are accessible on the train’s Red Line without any transfer required, and the total trip time is just 30 minutes. The ACCC acknowledges the grateful support of Honorary ACCC Fellow Hal Weston, a clinical associate professor and WSIS Distinguished Chair in Risk Management and Insurance at
Georgia State University in the planning and arrangements for the Symposium. The meeting is co-chaired by John Bonnie of Weinberg Wheeler and Larry Bracken of Hunton. Please reach out to them at symposium@ americancollegecoverage.org
with any questions, and we look forward to welcoming you in Atlanta this November for what promises to be an enlightening and enjoyable series of events.
Thank you to our Symposium Sponsors:
Strategic Partnership Between ACCC and Connecticut Insurance Law Journal Bears First Fruit By Michael Aylward, Morrison Mahoney LLP (Ret), Newton Centre, MA and Douglas Skelley, Shidlofsky Law Firm PLLC, Austin, TX The first fruits of a strategic partnership between our College and the most prestigious academic insurance law journal in the United States are now on view on the ACCC website and will shortly be mailed to thousands of insurance practitioners and scholars around the country who subscribe to the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal (CILJ). In 2025, ACCC President Stephen Pate entered discussions with the University of Connecticut Law School centering on a possible
Michael F. Aylward
Douglas Skelley
(formerly of Morrison Mahoney) Newton Centre, MA
Shidlofsky Law Firm PLLC Austin, TX (Continued on the following page)
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(Continued from the previous page)
joint venture that would enhance the academic content of the Law School’s flagship CILJ publication, while providing greater exposure and prestige to ACCC Fellows by introducing their scholarship to a broader audience. The outcome of these discussions was an agreement that was signed last Fall wherein the ACCC committed to identifying five or six articles by ACCC Fellows that met the CILJ’s rigorous academic standards. Those articles would then be edited and refined by the CILJ’s student law editors working in partnership with ACCC Fellow Editors Michael Aylward and Douglas Skelley and ultimately included in a special issue of the CILJ.
Over the next few months, Aylward and Skelley reviewed recent articles that had been prepared in conjunction with our 2025 Annual Meeting and the 2025 Hartford Insurance Symposium and selected five for inclusion in a special issue of the CILJ to be published in the Spring of 2026. Aylward and Skelley worked with the ACCC authors to refine these articles and promote consistency in their formatting. The articles were then turned over to CILJ student editors for cite checking and final refinements. As noted above, those final articles are now available on the ACCC website (Member login required) and will soon be in the hands of CILJ’s subscribers. The CILJ is the premier academic journal in the United States that
is devoted solely to insurance law. It is entirely fitting, therefore, that its pages now include insightful and probing articles by ACCC Fellows, the very lawyers who are litigating these issues and framing the insurance and bad-faith law. It is our hope that this strategic partnership will be a lasting one and will help to raise the profile of our Fellows and the prestige of the American College of Coverage Counsel. Work on the 2027 Spring ACCC/CILJ journal issue will begin this summer. ACCC Fellows who have authored independent scholarship of national interest are encouraged to contact ACCC staff and our Fellow Editors Michael Aylward and Douglas Skelley at symposium@ americancollegecoverage.org.
Insurance Law Journal Update
Calling All ACCC Authors!
By Michael F. Aylward, (formerly of Morrison Mahoney), Boston, MA Douglas P. Skelley, Shidlofsky Law Firm, Austin, TX Last year, the American College of Coverage Counsel and the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal entered into a strategic partnership designed to provide greater visibility for ACCC member scholarship and greater depth to the content of the CILJ’s publications.
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The Connecticut Insurance Law Journal is the world’s only academic law review dedicated exclusively to the publication of original research on insurance law. Since its founding in 1994, the Journal has succeeded in attracting articles that are
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theoretically sophisticated and of practical importance. Since 2008, the Washington and Lee University’s survey of law journals ranked the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal as its top-rated periodical for insurance law.
In January 2026, the CILJ published the inaugural issue of the Journal of the American College of Coverage Counsel, which was comprised entirely of scholarly articles authored by ACCC Fellows. Access to the Journal is available to our members on the ACCC website under “Publications.” The ACCC is now looking for 6-8 more articles for
consideration for publication in our January 2027 issue. Each article should be between 3,000 and 15,000 words in length. The articles should be of original content but may be based upon material that has previously been used for ACCC symposia if it can be reworked to meet an appropriate scholarly standard. All submissions will be reviewed and edited by ACCC
Fellows Michael Aylward and Doug Skelley. If you have material that you would like to submit for inclusion in this special issue, please submit it to Michael and Doug no later than October 1. Similarly, if you have questions concerning this initiative, please contact the editors or ACCC President KT Talieh. journal@ americancollegecoverage.org.
Summer of Collaboration: Heat Up Your ACCC Involvement! While the energy from our recent spring conference gathering still lingers, the summer season provides the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into the work that defines the ACCC. Our annual meeting may provide the spark, but it is our committees that keep the fire burning all year long. As we move into the second half of 2026, there has never been a more impactful time to lend your voice to the conversation. Whether you are a seasoned veteran of the College or a newer Fellow, joining a committee is the most effective way to shape the future of insurance law and build lasting professional bonds.
Find Your Focus Our committees are the “engine room” of the College, producing the scholarship, programming, and dialogues that lead the industry. Where does your expertise lie? ` ADR ` CGL/Excess Liability Insurance ` Communications ` Cyber, AI & Emerging Issues ` D&O Management & Professional Liability ` Extracontractual and Bad-Faith Claims Litigation ` First-Party Insurance ` Outreach & Regional Meetings ` Pop-Up Dialogues ` Professionalism and Ethics Our Committee Co-Chairs are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help plan late-year
initiatives and contribute to our upcoming projects. No matter what your schedule may be, there is a place for your contribution.
From the Sidelines to the Center The strength of the College is entirely dependent on the engagement of its Fellows. Don’t let the summer pass by without making your mark— now is the time to move to the center of the action. Press Here to Volunteer Now!
Questions? If you’re unsure which committee is the right fit for your practice or interests, reach out to us at info@americancollegecoverage.org.
We would be happy to help you find your place within the College.
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ACCC Fellows Gather at UConn Law to Honor Honorary Fellow Professor Kenneth S. Abraham On June 5, 2026, the Insurance Law Center at the UConn School of Law hosted a special symposium in honor of ACCC Honorary Fellow Professor Kenneth S. Abraham, David and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia. The symposium featured a Festschrift celebrating Professor Abraham’s landmark career and marking the 40th anniversary of his influential first book, Distributing Risk: Insurance, Legal Theory, and Public Policy (1986). Scholars, practitioners, and a strong contingent of ACCC Fellows gathered in the Starr Hall Reading Room in Hartford to celebrate Professor Abraham’s profound impact on the study and practice of tort and insurance law. The College was proud to be so well represented at this meaningful celebration of one of our most distinguished Honorary Fellows.
Thank you to Matthew Hodgkins Photography for sharing these event photos.
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The ACCC Job Board -Your Premier Hub for Insurance Coverage Law Hiring The launch of our new Job Board marks a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering growth and connection within the insurance coverage law community. We understand that finding the right talent and navigating the insurance law career path can be a challenge, and we’re confident that this platform will bridge the gap.
Empowering ACCC Fellows and Firms For our esteemed Fellows and their firms, the ACCC Job Board offers a unique opportunity to access a dedicated pool of legal professionals who share your dedication to excellence. You can post openings for intern positions, associate attorneys, or even specialized insurance law partner roles. We’ve simplified the process to ensure you can quickly connect with highly qualified candidates who align with your firm’s standards.
their careers, the ACCC Job Board provides a targeted hub for discovering invaluable internship opportunities and entry-level positions. We encourage law students and young coverage attorneys to upload resumes to the board, making them visible to top-tier firms actively seeking your specific skillset.
Building the Future Together This Job Board is more than just
a listing service; it’s a testament to the ACCC’s dedication to supporting the growth and development of our specialized field. We encourage all Fellows and law students to actively engage with the platform. Whether you’re looking to expand your team or take the next step in your career, this platform is here to support you. Let’s build the future of insurance coverage law together.
Join the movement!
Explore the ACCC Job Board today and unlock new possibilities. Have questions or need assistance? Our support team is here to help. Contact us at info@americancollegecoverage.org.
Connecting Future and New Attorneys We’re equally committed to nurturing the next generation of insurance coverage lawyers. For law students, recent graduates, and associates looking to advance
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ACCC Committee Spotlight CGL & Excess Liability Insurance Committee By Committee Co-Chairs For many of our fellow Fellows, claims arising under CGL and Excess liability policies are the cornerstone of their coverage practice. While these workhorses of the insurance world may not have the same cachet as cyber risk and AI policies, they are an endless source of debate and litigation as policyholders attempt to fit claims arising out of new and emerging risks within these traditional policies, and insurers must react to risks that likely were not contemplated at the time of underwriting. There are constantly new challenges that must be tackled to meet new types of claims and nuances in what can appear to be “standard” claims.
Our committee thrives on discussing these developments. The challenges posed by claims involving these policies and how the courts deal with these claims as they evolve, always provide for a lively discussion during our quarterly meetings. These calls focus on new and interesting developments on a national basis, as well as an opportunity to enjoy catching up with other members between our in-person events. Members of our committee are very actively involved in every aspect of the ACCC, including through writing and speaking on timely topics at the Annual Meeting, the Fall Symposium, and the frequent Pop-Up dialogues.
Gretchen Hoff Varner Covington & Burling, LLP San Francisco, CA
As Summer fades and Fall starts to arrive, we are looking forward to participating in many of the ACCC’s upcoming programs, including: What is sure to be an exciting and spirited discussion of “When Does the Insurer’s Duty to Defend Include a Duty to Litigate Offensively” at the 2026 Fall Symposium being held at Georgia State University in Atlanta on November 6, 2026. The panelists for this program include:
John T. Harding Clyde & Co LLP Boston, MA
` Samuel J. Arena of Stradley Ronan Stevens & Young, LLP ` Seth D. Lamden of Blank Rome, LLP ` Karen M. Dixon of Skarzynski, Marick & Black, LLP and ` Pamela D. Hans of Anderson Kill Registration for the Fall symposium is open, so please sign up and enjoy a great time in Atlanta!
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The popular Pop-Up Dialogue Series continues on September 24, 2026, when Mary Borja of Lavin, Rindner, Duffield, LLC in Washington, DC and Jim Cooper of Reed Smith, LLP in Houston, Texas will discuss “Removal of Coverage Actions,” including practical tips and strategies based upon their decades of experience. In January 2027, we will offer a Pop-Up on Insurance Issues Involving Media Addiction Cases – again, not a topic you would normally associate with traditional CGL policies that has spawned very significant cases
arising out of claims asserted against Meta and other medica companies. We are currently seeking speakers for this program, so if you are interested, please contact one of us. Our next quarterly meeting in early September will focus on generating topics for the Annual Meeting next May. While it may seem like a long time in the future, the ACCC has requested that proposals be submitted by September 27, 2026, so now is the time to be thinking about subjects that would make for an interesting program at our premier event.
Finally, we are actively seeking members to officially join the committee. While no doubt nearly all members have some involvement in the world of CGL & Excess Liability Policies, we need your name and contact information so we can add you to our distribution roster. Please take a minute to send a message to us at cglexcessliability@ americancollegecoverage.org
to be included in our lively discussions! Best, Gretchen and John
Meet New Fellows
By Meghan C. Moore, Flaster Greenberg PC, Boca Raton, FL Courtney Britt was born in Mars Hill, a small town in the mountains just outside Asheville, North Carolina. She lived there until her junior year of high school, when she moved to Durham to attend the North Carolina School of Science and Math, a residential high school with an innovative curriculum and top-notch professors. Following high school, she attended Wake Forest University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Following college, Courtney accepted a position in a molecular genetics laboratory, a job that paid the bills while she figured
out her next steps. That is when she thought about her law school friends at Wake Forest and what they were studying. Drawn by the idea of helping clients with an imperfect set of facts navigate a set of rules to find solutions, Courtney decided to trade her lab coat for law school. She returned to Wake Forest and graduated from the School of Law in 2004. Following law school, Courtney went to work at Teague Campbell in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she remains to this day. After dabbling in products liability, medical malpractice, and workers compensation defense, Courtney
Courtney Britt Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP Raleigh, NC found her calling in insurance law and has spent the last fifteen years building that practice. For nearly ten years, she has focused 100 percent (Continued on the following page)
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of her time on insurance coverage, assisting insurance companies and municipal risk pools in insurance coverage and bad-faith matters. Her most memorable case was her first insurance coverage trial. The case involved a disability policy and whether the insured had misrepresented his medical status on the application. To prevail, the insurer would have to prove that the insured committed fraud. Courtney said, “You really don’t know what juries are going to do. There is a
difference between how things look on paper and how they might play out in real life.” Ultimately, despite evidence supporting the insurer’s position, the jury found no fraud. When asked about the biggest change she observed during her career with respect to insurance, Courtney responded, “The amount of time thinking about bad-faith; people are much more attuned to the potential for badfaith. We talk about it frequently, not when it is being alleged.” Courtney works proactively
with her clients to assist them in adopting and implementing good faith claim handling practices. When Courtney isn’t practicing law, she spends time with her family. She is a devoted wife and mother of two, a senior in high school and an eighth grader. They love to travel, see new places, and enjoy time outdoors together. Courtney and her family recently returned from Ireland, where they took in the music scene in Galway, hiked in one of Ireland’s national parks, and rode bikes around the Aran Islands.
By Seth H. Row, Stoel Rives LLP, Portland, OR Roger N. Butler, Jr. is a Shareholder/Director at Crowe & Dunlevy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he represents insurers in coverage and bad-faith litigation. He grew up in a small town in Southeastern Oklahoma during the 1970s—a place he describes as a great place to grow up. His parents still live there, and he returns often to visit. Roger came to the law by way of journalism. As a journalism major, he had always enjoyed writing— and still does. A Journalism Law class caused him to consider attending law school, and once he did, it seemed like the next logical career step. That combination of curiosity about the law and a love of the written word has stayed with him throughout his career.
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After law school, Roger went to work at an insurance defense firm in Tulsa as a research and writing associate. The role enabled him to learn a great deal about many different areas of the law— an experience he says has been beneficial to this day. Over time, his practice evolved into the insurance coverage work that now defines his career. Early in his career, Roger second-chaired a breach of contract and bad-faith case defending a health insurer under a non-ERISA policy that had denied trigger point injections based on lack of medical necessity. After the evidence, they persuaded the judge to dismiss the punitive damage claim and felt good about their position—until the jury returned
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Roger N. Butler Crowe & Dunlevy Tulsa, OK a $500,000 verdict. Roger handled the appeal, which lingered for almost two years. Ultimately, the appellate court found that the plaintiff had not presented a valid claim for benefits under the policy and reversed the judgment with instructions to enter judgment for the insurer. It was a formative experience in the unpredictability
and persistence that coverage litigation demands. Roger practices primarily in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Though neighboring states, they present different landscapes. Oklahoma poses unique challenges due to its bad-faith overlay on coverage issues—a framework very favorable to insureds—along with a number of highly capable
policyholder attorneys. Arkansas law on both coverage and badfaith still seems to be emerging but presents its own challenges for insurers due to several problematic venues. When asked about the biggest change he has seen in coverage litigation, Roger points to the ever-increasing sophistication and creativity of policyholder attorneys, and how they push
the coverage envelope in very imaginative ways. For Roger, that dynamic is what keeps the practice demanding and engaging. Outside the practice of law, Roger is an avid traveler with a particular passion for “bucket list” sporting events. He is also a devoted Oklahoma Sooners football fan who attends most games with his kids or friends.
By Seth H. Row, Stoel Rives LLP, Portland, OR Amy Cassidy is an insurance coverage litigator at Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP in Chicago. She has been with that firm (or its predecessor) since 2008. She grew up in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., attended the University of Virginia for both her undergraduate and law degrees, and then discovered Chicago—a city she has now called home for half her life. Amy enjoys coverage work for the way it blends analytical rigor with creative problem solving; qualities she first admired in a lawyer much closer to home. Amy was drawn to the law by her father, a recently retired union lawyer. He graduated at the top of his class at Stanford Law School. He could have done anything he wanted—he wanted to help workers. He spent decades fighting for teachers, steelworkers, and firefighters— as well as baseball players and
orchestras—and argued several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, mainly on constitutional issues. Amy has always been very proud of him and wanted to be a lawyer like him: part of a team crafting cases for their clients. After law school, Amy started in big law (DLA Piper). She learned a great deal quickly and, as she puts it, “wouldn’t change the experience—or repeat it—for the world.” She is happy that her path eventually led to insurance coverage at a specialty firm where the work suits her. You may have seen Amy at our annual meeting already! Outside the practice of law, Amy plays saxophone in the Barrister’s Big Band, alongside clarinetist, band leader and Fellow John Vishneski and pianist (and Fellow) Neil Posner. It is a pursuit that, like coverage litigation, rewards both discipline and collaboration.
Amy J. Cassidy Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP Chicago, IL
Amy’s first significant insurance coverage matter was a two-week trial arising out of an underlying products liability case in which the insured had assigned its rights. She worked closely with expert witnesses, took depositions from Alaska to Texas, helped craft the trial case, and then defended the verdict on appeal. She describes it as a fantastic experience—one that confirmed she had found the right practice area. (Continued on the following page)
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Over the course of her career, Amy has handled coverage or badfaith litigation in fifteen to twenty jurisdictions, including state and federal courts in California, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, New York, and New Jersey. Among them, Illinois stands out. She finds its target tender and estoppel rules distinctive, and she feels she usually receives
thoughtful, well-reasoned opinions from both state and federal courts there. For Amy, that quality of judicial engagement is part of what makes coverage practice in her adopted home state both challenging and rewarding.
By Meghan C. Moore, Flaster Greenberg PC, Boca Raton, FL James “Jim” Maloney was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Following high school, Jim moved to Columbia to attend the University of Missouri, where he planned to study to become a history teacher. Within the first year, Jim realized a career in education wasn’t for him. He pivoted, doubled down on political science, and decided to pursue a career in law, where he could use his skill and passion for writing. Following law school, Jim moved to Kansas City, where he lives to this day. There he joined Brown & James, a defense firm where he was first introduced to coverage and extra-contractual litigation. Jim excelled immediately, something he credits to being thrown into the fire early on with an opportunity to learn from very skilled, more experienced lawyers. Admitted in Missouri and Kansas, Jim later moved to Foland, Wickens, Roper, Hofer & Crawford and continued to gain valuable experience under the mentorship of several excellent lawyers. He is now with the law
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firm Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, where he represents insurance companies in complex coverage and bad-faith cases. When asked about an interesting insurance coverage case, Jim recounts as bittersweet a recent victory in the Kansas Supreme Court. There he convinced the Court to affirm an appellate court’s reversal of a district court’s bad-faith judgment, finding that Jim’s client was not responsible for an excess judgment entered against its insured. Jim says that while he obtained a great result for his client, the opinion may open more new questions than it answers for future cases. When asked about the biggest changes in insurance law over the course of his career, he responded that, “When I first started doing bad-faith law, situations would come up where the carrier screwed something up on its own. Now we have cases where the carrier just wants to pay the limit and the plaintiff makes it difficult to do so.” He also commented that email is a game changer and sometimes the
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James P. Maloney Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC Kansas City, MO
bane of his existence. “Back in the day you would write a letter. Now people send an email and want an immediate response. People also tend to be less thoughtful about what they say in emails.”
When Jim isn’t working, he spends time with his wife and their five kids, three dogs, and one cat. Jim jokes that he doesn’t have time for hobbies of his own: “It’s all kids’ stuff, all activities all
the time.” He has soccer players, runners, flag football players, and even a violin player. When Jim finds a quiet moment, he enjoys watching Jeopardy and reading about history.
By Seth D. Lamden, Blank Rome, LLP, Chicago, IL Jordan R. Plitt is an Arizona native through and through. He was born and raised in Scottsdale, with family roots in the insurance industry running back generations. His grandfather built an insurance agency from the ground up. His aunts, uncles, and father all became licensed insurance producers at age 18 and worked in the family business. His uncle eventually took over the agency and continues to operate it today with Jordan’s aunt and cousin. The legal profession, too, runs in the family. Jordan’s father—himself a Fellow of the ACCC—practiced insurance defense before developing a specialty in insurance coverage and becoming one of Arizona’s leading authorities in the field. “I grew up admiring the law and the work lawyers do,” Jordan says. But what truly sealed the deal was a high school mock trial in his government and economics class. Serving as lead prosecutor, Jordan convinced a jury of his
peers that President Harry S. Truman should be convicted of war crimes for his decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. “Whatever one thinks of the verdict,” he says, “I found the entire jury-trial process fascinating—the preparation, the advocacy, and the challenge of persuading a jury. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer.” By the time Jordan entered law school at Arizona State University, he was deliberately pursuing every opportunity to learn about insurance. He took an insurance law course, wrote an Advanced Estate Planning paper on stranger-originated life insurance, and produced a capstone paper for Professor Gary Marchant’s Law in Bio and Nanotechnology course examining insurance coverage for emerging risks in those fields. That capstone was later published in Insurance Litigation Reporter (a Thomson Reuters publication) as “Insuring the Emerging Markets in Bio and Nanotechnology,”
Jordan R. Plitt The Cavanagh Law Firm Scottsdale, AZ exploring the potentially widespread liability risks associated with biotechnology and nanotechnology and whether public-private insurance programs could help protect the public without discouraging innovation. During the summers after his first and second years of law school, Jordan also worked as a paid research fellow supplementing chapters of Couch on Insurance. From the classroom to his research fellowship to his first firm, Jordan consistently sought out opportunities to build an insurance coverage law practice. (Continued on the following page)
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Meet New Fellows (Continued) (Continued from the previous page)
Jordan’s first job after law school was with Meagher & Geer, a Minneapolis-based firm with an office in Scottsdale. There, he assisted with the firm’s national insurance-coverage practice and its professional liability defense practice. “It was an excellent introduction to sophisticated coverage work,” he explains, “and allowed me to begin developing a national perspective early in my career.” One of his first major coverage matters set the tone for what was to come. The case involved determining whether a wrongfulimprisonment claim constituted an “occurrence.” The claimant had been wrongfully imprisoned for more than 30 years, and the public entity faced potential liability exceeding $20 million. The matter presented difficult questions about when the alleged occurrence took place, which policies were implicated, and how the coverage issues interacted with an extraordinarily significant underlying claim. Jordan’s team ultimately helped the insurer and policyholder navigate those issues and reach a reasonable resolution. Today, Jordan most enjoys matters where the devil is in the details, the underlying facts are unusual, and he has an opportunity to learn something new. He particularly relishes
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fraud investigations and complex coverage disputes “because of what a careful forensic investigation can uncover.” The range of his practice illustrates the point. Among the more unusual matters on which he has worked are coverage and claimhandling issues arising from the 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption in Hawaii, the Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust litigation, and the seizure of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “Those matters illustrate what I enjoy most about insurance law,” he says. “Almost any event, industry, or emerging risk can eventually present an insurance question.” Jordan’s practice is national in scope. He is licensed in Arizona and New Mexico and has analyzed coverage and claim-handling issues under the laws of jurisdictions throughout the country, working with local counsel and insurer clients on matters involving numerous states. Asked about the biggest change he has observed in coverage litigation, Jordan points to the expansion of disputes from focused arguments over policy language into broader, processintensive litigation. “It’s no longer just about what decision the insurer reached,” he says, “but also how it investigated, documented, and communicated that decision.” Jordan notes that
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“coverage disputes increasingly arrive accompanied by bad-faith allegations, institutional-practice discovery, electronically stored information, challenges to claimhandling tools and practices, and efforts to examine decisions made throughout the insurer’s organization. At the same time, increasingly complex risks, such as cyber events, mass torts, social inflation, nuclear verdicts, natural catastrophes, and layered insurance programs, have made allocation, aggregation, exhaustion, and interinsurer disputes more prominent.” Jordan also observes that technology has also dramatically increased the volume of available information. “A claim file that once consisted primarily of adjuster notes and correspondence may now include emails, text messages, recorded calls, photographs, metadata, analytics, vendor platforms, and enormous quantities of electronically stored material. That creates both opportunities and risks: the factual record is richer, but isolated entries can easily be removed from context. As a result, careful investigation, clear documentation, and disciplined communication have become more important than ever.” “Despite those changes,” he reflects, “the essential task remains the same: understand the facts, read the policy carefully, apply the governing law, and
explain the resulting coverage position clearly and fairly.” When he is not practicing law, Jordan can be found tending to his bonsai collection—a recent hobby that occupies much of his spare time as he tries to keep small trees alive during Arizona’s 115-degree summers. The rest of his free time is devoted to wildlife photography and cheering on his two daughters in club volleyball. “Between bonsai, photography, and volleyball,” he says, “I receive regular lessons in patience, resilience, and accepting that I do not control the outcome.”
Member News
Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. Partners With Leading Boutiques to Form SDV Fenchurch ACCC Board of Regents and Executive Committee Member Tracy Saxe has announced a major firm expansion. Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. (SDV) has joined forces with Fenchurch Law, Wesolowski Abogados, and CLIR & Fenchurch to launch SDV Fenchurch, a global law firm operating across eight jurisdictions in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Dedicated exclusively to representing policyholders and their brokers, the new firm unites over 90 insurance coverage lawyers across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Turkey, and Singapore to provide cross-border insurance-recovery and advisory counsel without carrier conflicts. Tracy serves as Chair of the newly launched firm.
Tracy Alan Saxe Chair SDV Fenchurch Trumbull, CT
Read the press release here.
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Member News (Continued)
Lorie Masters Appointed as Chair of the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession. By Mary Craig Calkins, Blank Rome LLP, Los Angeles, CA ACCC Past President Lorelie (Lorie) Masters has been appointed as the Chair of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. The ABA Commission was established in 1987 and was originally chaired by Hillary Rodham Clinton. It awards the prestigious Margaret Brent award each year and has numerous reports, national surveys, and “toolkits” on issues related to women lawyers and their advancement in our profession. The Commission was created to assess the status of women in the legal sector and remove barriers to their professional advancement. As Chair, Masters will lead a 12-member roster of commissioners, and a panel of Advisers, dedicated to ensuring equal participation and systemic equity across the justice system and pursuing various studies to identify issues uniquely facing women in the profession including disparate treatment, training and recruitment, parenting, and, most
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recently, in a groundbreaking study about mental health and wellbeing issues. We all know her as a prominent, nationally recognized insurance coverage litigator and author, and for her service to the College as President from 2014 to 2015. But in her “spare time,” Lorie is co-author of Insurance Coverage Litigation, an in-depth legal treatise first published by Aspen Law & Business in 1997 and updated annually. She also co-authored a second book, Liability Insurance in International Arbitration: The Bermuda Form, which won the 2012 Book Prize from the British Insurance Law Association for “outstanding contributions to the literature on insurance,” and is recognized as the seminal work on the issue of Bermuda Form arbitration. Lorie was invited in 2010 to serve as an Adviser to the American Law Institute’s (“ALI”) RESTATEMENT OF THE LAW, LIABILITY INSURANCE, and served in that capacity until publication of the RESTATEMENT in 2019.
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Lorelie S. Masters Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Washington, DC
What you might not remember is that Lorie also served as national President of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia from 2007 to 2008, is a Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates representing the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, was a commissioner on the Commission from 20092012 and led its Women of Color Research Initiative. She also served as national Policyholder Chair of the ABA Litigation Section’s Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee from 2000 to 2003, after which she served in numerous positions with the Litigation Section. She, of course, has been recognized as one of the nation’s top women litigators – something Fellows of the ACCC already knew.
‘The Wave Is Coming’: Silent AI Presents New Threats in Insurance Litigation By Scott Seaman, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, IL As insurance companies start to use artificial intelligence in everyday business, attorneys who defend carriers say they’re being met with a bevy of new legal risks—some that remain murky or undefined. But amid that uncertainty, one thing is clear: Courts are already weighing litigation related to AI and its impact trade secrets, intellectual property, privacy and defamation. And litigators need to create strategies in real time to protect clients against risks tied to general liability policies, E&O or errors and omissions, exposures to employment practices in hiring, and media liability coverages.
“We are in the midst of the AI revolution,” said Scott Seaman, Chicago-based partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson, who is featured on an episode of Law. com’s podcast Legal Speak. “There’s a lot of AI activity and the landscape is rapidly changing.” To hear more from Seaman on insurance litigation trends, including how so-called “forever chemicals” fit in with Environmental, Social and Governance [ESG] issues under the new Trump administration, listen to the episode of Legal Speak; or see his new book “America 250: The History of Insurance & Insurance Coverage Law &
Scott Seaman Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Chicago, IL
Litigation In The United States,” co-authored by Lewis and Hinshaw & Culbertson partner Pedro E. Hernandez. (See below for details.) Read more here.
Scott Seaman, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP on his New Book, AI and ESG Under Trump 2.0 In a June Legal Speak episode, Daily Business Review and law. com reporter Annie Mayne had a chance to catch up with Hinshaw & Culbertson insurance litigation partner Scott Seaman and discuss his new book, which he coauthored with two other
Hinshaw partners: “America 250: The History of Insurance and Insurance Coverage Law and Litigation in the United States.” Seaman also discussed how AI will alter the insurance litigation landscape and what, if anything, ESG means to the Trump administration.
Listen to the podcast here, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Libsyn. Read more here.
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Member News (Continued)
America 250: The History of Insurance & Insurance Coverage Law & Litigation In The United States (2026) Available in Hard Cover, Soft Cover, and e-book at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and xlibris.com.
Overview: Scott M. Seaman, Pedro E. Hernandez, and Peter J. Lewis of Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP provide a master class on insurance in America. This book celebrates America 250 and pays tribute to the important role of insurance and the significant contributions of insurers backstopping the American economy, promoting invention, and fostering ingenuity and security since the founding of our nation. America’s 250th birthday serves as a springboard for the authors to provide a wide-ranging education on the history of insurance and the contemporary insurance coverage
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landscape. They illustrate how industrialization, long-tail asbestos, environmental, and toxic tort claims and catastrophic first-party losses – coupled with expanding liability and disappearing defenses – fueled these “golden ages” of the insurance coverage wars. They explore emerging areas rip-roaring across America including sustainability, forever chemicals, climate change, cyber, and artificial intelligence. The book tracks developments in general liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional liability, workers compensation, first-party property, and other
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insurance lines. America’s unique contributions to insurance including the duty to defend, badfaith and extracontractual liability, and litigation American style (administered through a civil justice system replete with social inflation, nuclear verdicts, third-party litigation funding, reptilian tactics, and anticorporate animus) fall comfortably within their wheelhouse. The book includes the author’s nominations for the most significant insurance law cases in the history of the United States to stimulate discussion among insurance attorneys and professionals.
Making Decisions Under Pressure in Complex Risk Environments June 15, 2026, by Elizabeth Blosfield, Carrier Management Insurance leaders say today’s risk environment is creating challenges that are more difficult to predict than ever before. This is leading insurers to rethink how they assess risk and make the right decisions without sacrificing speed and efficiency.
“Risk is risk, and insurers are very good at addressing risk, containing it, minimizing it, especially when they think that the risk is too complex or evolving,” said Scott Seaman, attorney at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, during a panel discussion at Carrier Management’s annual
InsurTech Summit. “But the fast pace in which the environment is moving can be a killer. It takes time to arbitrage and price policies correctly, particularly at an accelerated pace. It becomes easy to be late to the party.” Read or listen to the full article here.
Nationally Recognized Fellows Laura Foggan and Mary Borja join Lavin Rindner Duffield LLC By Mary Craig Calkins, Blank Rome LLP, Los Angeles, CA Two of our nationally-recognized ACCC Fellows have recently rejoined forces. Laura Foggan is a trial and appellate lawyer, representing insurers and national trade associations in high profile coverage issues across the country. She has served as an expert, a liaison to the American Law Institute including in connection with the Restatement of the Law, Liability Insurance, and teaches insurance law at the University of Connecticut School of Law. With over 30 years of experience representing insurers nationwide in complex coverage matters, Mary Borja brings deep practice expertise to the firm. She is widely recognized across the industry for her work handling
sophisticated coverage issues and disputes, with particular focus in Transactional Liability Insurance (including representations & warranties insurance and tax liability matters), and Professional Liability Claims.
Please join the College in congratulating both well-known ACCC Fellows Mary and Laura on this exciting new chapter in their careers, and kudos to Lavin Rindner Duffield for these terrific additions to its roster!
Mary E. Borja
Laura A. Foggan
Lavin Rindner Duffield LLC Washington, DC
Lavin Rindner Duffield LLC Washington, DC
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Member News (Continued)
Kramon & Graham Names Ezra S. Gollogly Co-Managing Principal In June, Kramon & Graham announced Ezra S. Gollogly and Lydia E. Lawless as Co-Managing Principals effective on July 1, 2026. Ezra joined Kramon & Graham in 2007 and became a Principal in 2010. Recognized by Chambers USA, Ezra’s work on complex litigation involving a wide variety of insurance matters has established him as a trusted authority in the field. Ezra also maintains a robust
commercial litigation practice, routinely advising clients on healthcare disputes and criminal defense matters. Ezra is a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and a member of the Criminal Justice Act Felony Panel in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Read the full Daily Record article here.
Ezra S. Gollogly Kramon & Graham, P.A. Baltimore, MD
Scott Seaman Named a 2026 Notable Leader by Crain’s Chicago Business Scott Seaman, partner and Co-Chair of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s global Insurance Services Practice Group, has been selected by Crain’s Chicago Business as a 2026 Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law. The prestigious award recognizes senior executives who effect positive change within their organizations, act as mentors, and make significant contributions to their communities and professional fields. A nationally recognized property and casualty insurance coverage litigator, Scott has
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co-chaired Hinshaw’s global Insurance Services Practice Group for over a decade, driving significant practice growth and national recognitions. Beyond his practice, he is actively involved in community service, co-founding the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Chicago Chapter and serving as a founding board member of the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation. Congratulations to Scott on this well-deserved honor! Read the press release here.
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Scott M. Seaman Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Chicago, IL
Crowell Adds Stephen Raptis to Insurance Team Stephen Raptis, a Chambers-ranked insurance recovery attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing policyholders, has joined Crowell & Moring as a partner in Washington, D.C. Steve’s arrival enhances the firm’s capabilities in representing policyholder clients in complex and high-stakes insurance disputes.
Stephen T. Raptis
Read the full article here.
Crowell & Moring LLP Washington, D.C.
Teaching Insurance The Use Of Reservation Of Rights Letters To Better Understand The Effect Of Insurance On Civil Legal Practice By Michael L. Young, Reichardt, Noce & Young LLC The idea of taking an insurance law course does not set the typical law student’s heart aflutter. But maybe it should. Almost eighty years ago, the United States Supreme Court recognized, “Perhaps no modern commercial enterprise directly affects so many persons in all walks of life as does the insurance business. Insurance touches the home, the family, and the occupation or the business of almost every person in the United States.” The practical reality is that while insurance may play a limited part in criminal or family law
matters, the availability of insurance plays a critical role in the handling and resolution of most civil law matters. In countless instances, civil cases are filed or not filed, settled or not settled, tried or not tried to a jury based on the extent to which insurance is available to cover the loss. Insurance may provide the civil defendant with defense counsel, may indemnify a defendant in whole or in part for a judgment or settlement, or may pay for certain losses, costs, fees or expenses relevant to the litigation. The rules and principles that govern the
Michael L. Young Reichardt, Noce & Young LLC St. Louis, MO
availability of insurance in these situations can be complex and highly technical. And for the most part, law school graduates who become brand new lawyers know nothing about them. Read the full article here.
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Member News (Continued)
Karin S. Aldama Named Among Phoenix Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers ACCC Fellow Karin S. Aldama, a shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized in Phoenix Magazine’s fifth annual “Top Lawyers” list for 2026. She was selected in the Insurance Coverage & Bad-Faith category. Phoenix Magazine selects its Top Lawyers through a peer-vote methodology, surveying licensed attorneys across Maricopa County to identify the leading practitioners in various legal specialties. Karin’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation
and insurance coverage disputes on behalf of corporate clients and governmental entities in sectors such as hospitality, finance, utilities, aerospace, and semiconductors. In addition to advising policyholders on maximizing policy coverage, she has developed a niche practice addressing the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and insurance law. Congratulations to Karin on this well-deserved recognition!
Karin S. Aldama Gallagher & Kennedy Phoenix, AZ
Read the press release here.
John B. Mumford Honored in 2027 Best Lawyers in America We are pleased to celebrate Fellow John B. Mumford, Jr. on his recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. In addition to being named among top legal professionals for Insurance Law, John earned the prestigious distinction of “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law—an honor awarded to a single lawyer with the highest overall peer-feedback in a specific practice area and geographic region. John is a Director at Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, LLC, where he leads the firm’s Insurance Practice Group. Congratulations to John on this outstanding professional achievement! Read the full press release here.
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John B Mumford, Jr. Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, P.C. Glen Allen, VA
Charles W. Browning, Kenneth C. Newa and Elaine M. Pohl named among Michigan 2026 ‘Super Lawyers’ Plunkett Cooney partners Charles Browning, Kenneth Newa, and Elaine Pohl have been named to the 2026 list of Michigan Super Lawyers for their outstanding work in Insurance Coverage Law. Published annually by Super Lawyers magazine, the designation relies on a patented multiphase selection process combining peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Only the top five percent of licensed attorneys in Michigan are selected for inclusion each year.
Charles W. Browning Plunkett Cooney, PC Bloomfield Hills, MI
About the Fellows Charles W. Browning, a partner in Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office and Co-leader of the firm’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group, serves as national coverage counsel for major insurance carriers. With over 38 years of experience, he represents insurers nationwide in complex, high-exposure coverage disputes, including toxic torts, environmental liabilities, construction defects, and bad-faith claims. A Fellow of ACCC and recipient of DRI’s Albert H. Parnell Award, he has been consistently recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America®. Kenneth C. Newa, also a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, brings more than three decades of experience representing insurance carriers in complex coverage and commercial litigation across the Midwest and nationally. His practice encompasses high-stakes disputes involving environmental contamination, PFAS claims, toxic torts, product and construction defects, and bad-faith defense. Newa has served in national counsel roles for major class actions and is regularly recognized among The Best Lawyers in America® and Michigan Super Lawyers. Elaine M. Pohl is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group who maintains a national practice counseling insurers in complex property and casualty disputes, including litigated and nonlitigated matters. Her insurance coverage experience extends to claims involving professional liability, construction defects, bodily injuries, product liability, environmental contamination, personal and advertising injury issues, first-party property and allegations of bad-faith. Read the press release here.
Kenneth C. Newa Plunkett Cooney, PC Bloomfield Hills, MI
Elaine M. Pohl Plunkett Cooney, PC Bloomfield Hills, MI
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Member News (Continued)
ACCC Past President Angela Elbert Named Chicago “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law by Best Lawyers Congratulations to ACCC Past President Angela R. Elbert, who has been named the 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law in Chicago by Best Lawyers. Angela serves as Chair of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP’s Insurance Policyholder Practice Group, has been a nationally recognized leader in policyholder advocacy for over three decades. Throughout her career, she has
guided clients through complex risk management and insurance recovery matters, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for policyholders across a wide range of industries. This recognition highlights Angela’s extraordinary leadership, dedication to client service, and outstanding contributions to the insurance coverage bar. Read the full press release here.
Angela R. Elbert Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP Chicago, IL
Jennifer Kalvestran Recognized in 2027 Best Lawyers in America We are pleased to congratulate Fellow Jennifer Kalvestran on her recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Jennifer was selected by her peers for her exceptional work in two categories: Insurance Law and Litigation – Insurance. Inclusion in Best Lawyers is widely regarded as a benchmark of legal excellence, as honorees are chosen based on rigorous peer evaluations and professional achievements. Jennifer is a Partner at Anderson, McPharlin & Conners LLP, where she represents clients across complex commercial and insurance litigation matters. Please join us in celebrating Jennifer on this well-deserved honor! Read the full press release here.
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Jennifer C. Kalvestran Anderson, McPharlin & Conners LLP Los Angeles, CA
Celebrating Carol Montoya, Our Terrific Executive Director, and Her New Gig! By Mary Craig Calkins, Blank Rome LLP, Los Angeles, CA Many of you have heard that Potomac Management Resources was recently sold to Association Headquarters, an association management firm that has been active for more than 45 years, serving 70 clients with 200 staff members. Carol is now Vice President of Client Services and Engagement of our new management services affiliate, although we have known her for years as the former President of Potomac Management Resources, supporting the College since 2014. You know some of this, but some of it might surprise you [Foo Fighters, Metallica and Def Leppard???? Seriously?]. Because of the sale and Carol’s next chapter, we wanted to highlight her, how she got here, her accomplishments, and why we so appreciate her efforts and those of others at PMR like Pearl Ford-Fyffe, Rebecca Royal, Ellie Raughton, and Camilo EckstimeGomez, over the past 12+ years.
Tell us about your background, and how did you end up “here”? I studied Political Science in college, with the intent of going to law school. I had some good connections and was able to shadow and intern for some attorneys,
Carol Montoya Association Headquarters Alexandria, VA
including a public defender and a family law attorney, but I decided lawyering wasn’t for me. A handson practicum where my project was organizing a campaign rally on campus changed it all for me. I was able to organize campaigns for a sitting senator (I’ll date myself by telling you it was Barbara Mikulski of Maryland), congressional candidate, and state comptroller. After that, I wanted to work on political campaigns. But alas, that also was not to be–I had no connections to get a foot in the door.
What led you to PMR in the first instance, and then what caused you to buy all of the shares and become its owner? A senior semester internship led
to my first job with a government contractor overseeing public service communications campaigns, where my primary client focused on traffic safety. Through that job, I became involved with the Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington, where I met the woman who would eventually hire me at Potomac Event Productions (PEP). We focused on grassroots fundraisers, conferences, and galas. It wasn’t until the outgoing executive director of the Advertising Club told us we should bid to replace her that we even realized association management was “a thing.” We got the job and everything took off from there. I was able to work side by side with the owner to grow the company and PEP evolved into Potomac Management Resources (PMR). In 2006, months after having my second child (what was I thinking?) I bought out the owner and PMR became my third baby.
What groups has PMR served over the years, as long as you can disclose? Since 2000, PMR has worked with almost 60 associations (Continued on the following page)
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(Continued from the previous page)
and foundations. Our current client roster includes 15 nonprofit organizations that are both regional and national in scope. We never set out to specialize in a certain subject area, but our business plan was development by word of mouth. That led to a number of legal and “legal adjacent” clients. The College is a great example of this. When the College needed a new management company, Lorie Masters, who was a past president of the College as well as the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, reached out to me. About six years later, Wayne Taylor, thenpresident of the College and an executive committee member of the Windstorm Insurance Network, recommended us to WIND, which became a client mid-pandemic.
What is fun about your activities? Working with volunteers who are passionate about their industry is very fulfilling. I truly enjoy helping them achieve their goals through membership growth, industry resources, and fantastic events. We have been able to produce some awesome events with big name attendees. To name drop just a few, the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia has held events with
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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Nancy Pelosi. Every few years, the group conducts a U.S. Supreme Court swearing in and I feel so fortunate to be part of planning such a special day for our members.
If your wishes could be granted, how would you change associations to streamline your activities? I don’t really have an answer to this! [Comment by the author: Whew! That could have been telling!!!]
How, if at all, will things get better or change with the new ownership and sale? As of July 15, PMR was acquired by Association Headquarters, an association management that has been around for decades. Even if I personally am not around for all those decades, this affiliation will ensure that our staff and clients are taken care of. While I touted the benefits of a small business for two plus decades (and I’ll stand by that), there are additional benefits that flow from working with a larger company with regards to resources, professional development, and a wider department structure. I am looking forward to not having to worry about some of the business owner “headaches” and being able to focus primarily on client service and relationships.
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We know from Xmas cards that you have a family. Tell us about you and yours. I’ve been married to my husband Rolando for almost 24 years. Our daughter Sofia recently graduated from Hood College (my alma mater) with a degree in Communications, focusing on journalism. Following a summer internship, she will start a full-time position with The Baltimore Sun next month. Our son Benjamin just turned 21, and he is working two retail jobs while he decides his life path. Our family is BIG into soccer. We have planned vacations around games, the most fun of which was probably a Liverpool game. Every four years, I calendar all the World Cup games for all of us, and my husband and I were able to catch the U.S. versus Bosnia- Herzegovina in July. We have season tickets to DC United, Washington Spirit, and DC Power FC. As a family, we love to travel together. We have had a lot of fun adventures in the last year alone, including a 7-day, 5-country jaunt around Europe with my daughter, Christmas in Mexico, quick getaways to Puerto Rico, New York, and Virginia Beach, and a three week “sabbatical” to walk the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago with my daughter. We also like to attend concerts, with our recent ones including the Foo Fighters, Bill Joel, Rick Springfield, Def Leppard, and Metallica. [Who knew???]
Autumn Achievements: Spotlighting Your Fall Successes As the legal landscape shifts into high gear this autumn, ACCC Fellows continue to lead the way—shaping industry standards, securing pivotal victories, and earning well-deserved accolades. At the College, we know that your individual milestones are the very foundation of our collective excellence. As we head into the final months of 2026, we want to
Share Your News, Inspire Your Peers
ensure your professional triumphs are celebrated across our entire community.
Sharing your updates does more than just highlight your personal brand— it keeps our network connected, and reinforces the expertise that defines an ACCC Fellow.
We are actively seeking your noteworthy updates to feature in our upcoming communications, including: ` Awards and Honors ` Significant Victories ` Career Transitions ` Thought Leadership
Ready to be featured? Please send your news items, links, or press releases to info@ americancollegecoverage.org.
Upcoming Events ACCC Pop-Up Dialogue: Removal of Coverage Actions ACCC 2027 Annual Meeting Thursday, September 24, 2026 May 5-7, 2027 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT Intercontinental Chicago Chicago, IL ACCC 2026 Insurance Law Symposium Friday, November 6, 2026 View our full event calendar, Georgia State University including ACCC committee meetings J. Mack Robinson College of Business Member login required to access the full calendar Buckhead Center Campus and materials archive. Atlanta, GA
To see copies of presentation files & recordings from prior events, visit the Event Materials Archive page.
Welcome New Fellows!
Stephanie Andersen, Clyde & Co LLP, Seattle, WA
Courtney Britt, Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP, Seattle, WA Roger Butler, Crowe & Dunlevy, Tulsa, OK
Amy Cassidy, Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP, Chicago, IL Jennifer Gibbs, Zelle LLP, Dallas, TX
Jennifer Kalvestran, Anderson, McPharlin & Conners LLP, Los Angeles, CA
James A. Kitces, Robins Kaplan LLP, Boston, MA James Maloney, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC, Kansas City, MO
Jordan Plitt, The Cavanagh Law Firm, P.A, Phoenix, AZ Elaine Pohl, Plunkett Cooney, PC, Bloomfield Hills, MI
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Elevate the Profession: Nominate a New ACCC Fellow The prestige of the American College of Coverage Counsel is built entirely upon the caliber of its members. As we grow, we rely on you - our current Fellows - to identify the next generation of leaders in insurance coverage, bad-faith, and extracontractual claims law.
Do you know a practitioner who belongs among the best in the field? Now is the time to submit your nomination.
Qualifications at a Glance To maintain our high standards, all nominees must meet the following criteria: ` Experience: A minimum of 15 consecutive years in insurance law (May include time served as a judge or clerk).
` Focus: A practice concentrated primarily in insurance coverage or extracontractual claims in the U.S., Canada, or Bermuda.
` Independence: The nominator must be an ACCC Fellow not affiliated with the nominee’s firm.
A Simple, Confidential Process To protect the integrity of the process and the privacy of the candidates, nominations are handled discreetly: 1. Email: Send the nominee’s name, contact info, and a link to their professional bio to membership@americancollegecoverage.org. 2. Vetting: The Membership Committee will conduct a confidential review and contact local references. 3. Invitation: Candidates should not be informed of their nomination; the Committee will extend an official invitation only after the initial vetting is successful.
Help us ensure the College remains the premier home for the most distinguished practitioners in our field. Submit your nomination today.
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