Industries & Practices
Insurance
Our national practice blends broad insurance knowledge and legal acumen with valuable industry relationships.
Bricker & Eckler’s representation of insurance companies and trade associations has established the firm as one of the most highly regarded in the industry. Whether navigating the political and regulatory landscape or handling litigation, corporate governance or transactional matters, we leverage understanding of state and federal laws and industry trends to give strategic and trustworthy guidance.
Types of clients we represent:
- Stock and mutual companies
- Property and casualty writers
- Life and annuity companies
- Supplemental health insurers
- Specialty “limited lines” insurers
- Insurance trade associations (national and statewide)
National insurance company defense
Successfully argued before Ohio’s Tenth District Court of Appeals on behalf of a national insurance carrier in a lawsuit by a former agent challenging the cancellation of their agency agreeme...
MoreERISA long-term disability litigation
Represented national insurance company in an ERISA case involving a decision to terminate a plaintiff’s long-term disability benefits after 15 years. Litigated complex legal issues involving ...
MoreERISA preemption litigation
Represented national insurance company against breach of contract and bad faith claims following client’s denial of an accidental death and dismemberment claim preempted by ERISA. Negotiated ...
MoreFINRA arbitration dismissal
Obtained the dismissal of a lawsuit and related FINRA arbitration claims of alleged harassment and retaliation against a national insurance company’s female executive. Obtained a court order ...
MoreAgent lawsuits in 25 states
Represented a national insurance carrier in response to agent lawsuits in over 25 states.
MoreLegislative counsel
Actively represent more than 30 clients before the Ohio General Assembly, state agencies and local government entities. Longtime clients include the Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companie...
MoreInsurance regulations
Actively assist several insurance companies, including multiple Fortune 500 companies, with questions regarding Ohio Department of Insurance regulations. Combining our knowledge of both the State D...
MoreClass action defense
Defended insurer in a Kentucky class action suit alleging misapplication of local government premium taxes.
MoreLehman Brothers class action defense
Successfully represented defendants in a national class action brought in the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy case in the Southern District of New York, which sought to claw back hundreds of millions of...
MoreLife insurance policy trial
Obtained a directed verdict in a Kentucky trial in defense of a national insurance carrier against a breach of trust claim.
MoreAreas of Focus
Litigation
Our trial team has represented insurance companies in lawsuits throughout more than 25 states. Our experience includes breach of contract and bad faith claims, agent disputes, premium tax class actions, insurance product litigation, financial product litigation, carrier-on-carrier disputes and appeals. On broader industry issues, we’ve filed amicus curiae briefs on behalf of insurers and insurance associations in state and federal court and have represented national broker-dealer firms and associated persons in arbitration proceedings.
MoreLobbying & Regulatory
Our lawyer-lobbyists have excellent working relationships with legislators, regulators and insurers in Ohio and throughout the U.S. We have been involved in virtually every major legislative issue relating to the insurance industry in Ohio, helping shape the laws impacting insurers that conduct business in the state.
MoreCorporate & Transactional
Insurance clients look to us when making important strategic decisions, including company formation and admission; mergers, acquisitions and affiliations; reorganization; rehabilitation; and liquidation. Whether facing agent licensure and appointment issues, product and rate filings, market conduct examinations and other state regulatory investigations or taxation issues, our attorneys are a valuable resource.
Securities Litigation & FINRA Arbitration
We counsel financial institutions, broker-dealers, registered representatives, and insurers in a broad range of customer and industry disputes related to the sale or insuring of regulated products. Specifically, we represent parties in arbitrations across the country before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and in courtroom litigation. We have represented parties in FINRA proceedings involving suitability claims, misrepresentations or omissions regarding securities or investment choices, and expungement claims. Our team also successfully enforced contractual arbitration provisions and forum selection clauses in state and federal courts, including provisions requiring FINRA arbitration.
People
Vincent D. Boddy
Associate
Drew H. Campbell
Partner & Class Action/Insurance Chair
Kara H. Herrnstein
Partner
David S. Jackson
Of Counsel
Gregory J. Lestini
Partner & Financial Services/Insurance Chair
Rachael N. Mains
Associate
Jeffrey P. McSherry
Partner
Anne Marie Sferra
Partner & Litigation Practice Group Chair
Sommer L. Sheely
Partner
Elisabeth A. Squeglia
Partner
Megan S. Zemke
Paralegal