Insurance Defense and Coverage

Experienced Representation From Claim Evaluation Through Trial and Appeal

Insurance litigation requires more than familiarity with policy language. Effective representation requires an understanding of the underlying claim, the insured’s business, the insurer’s contractual obligations, the applicable jurisdiction, and the practical consequences of each strategic decision.

I represent insurers and their insureds in complex civil litigation, coverage disputes, and claims-related matters. Drawing on more than 30 years of trial and appellate experience, I provide early evaluation, clear reporting, practical recommendations, and trial-ready advocacy.

Insurance Defense

I defend insured businesses, employers, professionals, property owners, contractors, and other organizations in significant civil litigation.

My insurance-defense experience includes matters involving:

  • Commercial and contractual disputes

  • Employment discrimination, retaliation, and wage claims

  • Construction defects and project disputes

  • Professional liability

  • Premises and property-related claims

  • Fraud, misrepresentation, and business torts

  • Privacy and cybersecurity incidents

  • Trade secrets and confidential information

  • Claims involving technology and artificial intelligence

  • Appeals and post-trial proceedings

I work closely with claims professionals and insureds to develop a strategy that accounts for the merits of the case, the client’s business objectives, anticipated litigation costs, reputational considerations, and realistic settlement or trial outcomes.

Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Coverage questions frequently arise when the facts are still developing, multiple policies or insureds may be involved, and decisions must be made quickly.

I advise and represent insurers in matters involving:

  • The duty to defend and duty to indemnify

  • Additional-insured status

  • Policy exclusions and limitations

  • Reservations of rights

  • Allocation among covered and uncovered claims

  • Priority of coverage and other-insurance provisions

  • Multiple policies and policy periods

  • Tender and notice issues

  • Contractual indemnification

  • Contribution and reimbursement

  • Settlement obligations

  • Declaratory-judgment litigation

  • Allegations of bad faith or improper claims handling

My coverage work combines careful analysis of the policy language with a practical assessment of the pleadings, available evidence, underlying litigation, and governing law.

Early Evaluation and Clear Communication

Insurers need counsel who can identify the issues that matter, explain them clearly, and provide useful recommendations.

At the beginning of an assignment, I focus on:

  • The claims and defenses that are likely to control the outcome

  • The evidence needed to evaluate liability and damages

  • Potential coverage or allocation issues

  • Opportunities for early resolution

  • The need for experts or specialized discovery

  • Anticipated litigation costs

  • The insured’s operational and reputational concerns

  • The realistic range of potential outcomes

As the case develops, I provide reporting designed to help the insurer make decisions. Material developments are accompanied by an assessment of what they mean and what should happen next.

Efficient, Trial-Ready Defense

Not every case should be tried. Every case, however, should be handled from the beginning with an understanding of what would be required to try it successfully.

Early trial preparation improves the quality of discovery, identifies evidentiary weaknesses, sharpens dispositive motions, and creates leverage in settlement discussions. When trial is necessary, it also ensures that the case has been developed with the ultimate audience—the judge or jury—in mind.

I have litigated more than 100 bench and jury trials to verdict and have handled commercial cases in federal and state courts in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and around the country.

Technology, AI and the Modern Claims Environment

Artificial intelligence and automated systems are becoming increasingly important in underwriting, fraud detection, claims evaluation, document review, litigation management, and customer communications.

Those tools can improve efficiency, but they may also create questions involving:

  • Accuracy and human oversight

  • Bias and inconsistent decision-making

  • Privacy and cybersecurity

  • Vendor contracts and data rights

  • Explainability and documentation

  • Privilege and work-product protection

  • Regulatory scrutiny

  • Discovery and admissibility

  • The defensibility of claims decisions

As both a trial lawyer and a certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional, I help insurers consider how technology-assisted decisions may appear in discovery, depositions, regulatory proceedings, and litigation. I also assist with policies, vendor review, documentation, training, and other measures designed to reduce avoidable legal risk.

Why Insurers Work With Me

I bring together extensive litigation experience, coverage knowledge, and an understanding of the technological and regulatory risks affecting modern insurance operations.

  • Over 30 years of commercial litigation experience

  • More than 100 bench and jury trials litigated to verdict

  • Former Trial and Appellate Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice

  • Experience representing insurers and insured businesses

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional for the United States (CIPP/US)

  • Certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP)

  • Harvard College, with honors

  • Columbia Law School

  • President-Elect of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel

My objective is to provide insurers with experienced judgment, responsive communication, and a litigation strategy proportionate to the claim.

Discuss an Insurance Matter

If you need defense counsel, coverage advice, or assistance with a developing claims-related issue, I would be glad to learn more.

Email: sean@lvglawfirm.com
Telephone: (202) 836-7828

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Visiting this website or contacting Sean C. Griffin does not create an attorney-client relationship.