America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2006: Insurance: Coverage Litigation

Chambers & Partners has compiled their independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide -- which is designed to reflect market opinion -- contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.

In Chambers' 2006 review of national legal talent in the area of "International Arbitration," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.

Chambers' comments:

Illinois Ranking: 2

The Firm: Interviewees applauded the group's commitment to litigation in the insurance field, an approach they saw as consistent with the powerhouse firm's general trial capabilities. Representing exclusively policyholders, many of whom are drawn from the firm's existing corporate base, the group earned points from clients for its "tactical and strategic approach" and its "intelligent aggressiveness in the face of complex claims." An enviable resume includes D&O liability and business interruption work, alongside environmental coverage, toxic torts and products liability litigation. The group represents Union Carbide in connection with asbestos disputes and Republic Engineered Products in business interruption claims.

The Lawyers: Clients praised the "consistent quality" throughout the group but Michael Foradas is singled out as a "great strategist and always at the top of the list." He earns his spurs as a general litigator and tries a broad array of cases, but interviewees markedly appreciated his critical expertise on insurance coverage. "He takes a lead role on highly significant policyholder matters," one noted, "and he certainly stands out in the field."

Clients/Work Highlights: Union Carbide; Republic Engineered Products; Bally Total Fitness; Honeywell; Motorola; Alcon; BP; Dow Chemical; Gaylor Container and Raytheon.

Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2006 - www.chambersandpartners.com.