Specialty Lines

Expert Analysis

• Montana Federal Ruling Takes Broad View Of 'Related Claims'

  

  A Montana federal court recently took a broad view of related claims, ruling that claims brought by different plaintiffs in different states alleging different legal theories were nevertheless under a directors and officers insurance policy, illustrating the range of interpretations courts may give these clauses, say attorneys at Hunton.

• Demystifying Generative AI For The Modern Juror

  

  In cases alleging that the training of artificial intelligence tools violated copyright laws, successful outcomes may hinge in part on the litigator's ability to clearly present AI concepts through a persuasive narrative that connects with ordinary jurors, say Liz Babbitt at IMS Legal Strategies and Devon Madon at GlobalLogic.

• Why Early Resolution Of Employment Liability Claims Is Key

  

  A former Los Angeles fire chief's recent headline-grabbing wrongful termination suit against the city is a reminder that employment practices liability disputes can present risks to the greater business, meaning companies need a playbook for rapid, purposeful action, says Karli Moore at Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions.

• How New Rule On Illustrative Aids Is Faring In Federal Courts

  

  In the 10 months since new standards were codified for illustrative aids in federal trials, courts have already begun to clarify the rule's application in different contexts and the rule's boundaries, say attorneys at Bernstein Litowitz.

• Strategies To Get The Most Out Of A Mock Jury Exercise

  

  A Florida federal jury’s recent $329 million verdict against Tesla over a fatal crash demonstrates how jurors’ perceptions of nuanced facts can make or break a case, and why attorneys must maximize the potential of their mock jury exercises to pinpoint the best trial strategy, says Jennifer Catero at Snell & Wilmer.

• Notable Developments At The NAIC Summer Meeting

  

  Attorneys at Debevoise discuss their top takeaways from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners summer meeting last month, including developments on risk-based capital requirements and the evolving use of artificial intelligence in insurance practices.

• Avoiding Unforced Evidentiary Errors At Trial

  

  To avoid self-inflicted missteps at trial, lawyers must plan their evidentiary strategy as early as their claims and defenses, with an eye toward some of the more common pitfalls, says Nate Sabri at Perkins Coie.

• When AI Denies, Insurance Bad Faith Claims May Follow

  

  Two recent rulings from Minnesota and Kentucky federal courts signal that past statements about claims-handling practices may leave insurers using artificial intelligence programs in claims administration vulnerable to suits alleging bad faith and unfair trade practices, say attorneys at Cozen O'Connor.

• Insuring Against FCA Risk In Shifting Trade Landscape

  

  In today's heightened trade enforcement environment, companies should proactively assess whether their insurance programs are positioned to respond to potential False Claims Act or customs-related claims, including reviewing directors and officers, professional liability, and representations and warranties policies for key terms, say attorneys at Pillsbury.

• Key Insurance Coverage Considerations For AI Data Centers

  

  The burgeoning artificial intelligence industry has sparked a surge in data center projects — a trend likely to be accelerated by the White House's AI Action Plan — but with these complex facilities come equally complex risks, engendering important insurance coverage considerations, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

• 5 Key Steps To Prepare For Oral Arguments

  

  Whether presenting oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court or a local county judge, effective preparation includes the same essential ingredients, from organizing arguments in blocks to maximizing the potential of mock exercises, says Allison Rocker at Baker McKenzie.

• 9 Jury Selection Lessons From The Combs Trial

  

  U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian’s unusually thorough jury selection process for the trial of Sean Combs offers attorneys and judges a master class in using case-specific juror questionnaires and extended attorney-led voir dire to impanel better juries that produce more just outcomes, say Kevin Homiak at Wheeler Trigg and Leslie Ellis at The Caissa Group.

• Mitigating Employer Liability Risk Under Sex Assault Rule

  

  The American Law Institute's newly approved rule expands vicarious liability to employers for certain sexual assaults that employees commit, which could materially increase employers' exposure unless they strengthen safeguards around high-risk roles, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.