The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Israel > Insurance

Gross, Orad, Schlimoff & Co.'s 'intelligent, highly professional and well connected' team is very active in insurance litigation. The group represents insurers and reinsurers in class actions and derivative actions, as well as matters related to D&O, cyber attacks, professional negligence, product liability and aviation insurance. Harry Orad's vast experience in the sector includes D&O liability, banking insurance and product liability. Noya Yulish has considerable experience in medical malpractice claims, where she defends doctors, hospitals and their insurers and Orit Amiran-Sinn is regularly engaged to draft policies relating to the development and launch of new insurance products. Sigal Schlimoff, Omer Shalev, Maya Salomon and Rena Egulsky are other key names.

Levitan, Sharon & Co's team of insurance litigators frequently defends clients in class actions relating to major public accidents. The group's broader expertise encompasses D&0 disputes, cyber-attack claims, product liability and professional negligence. Peggy Sharon and Sharon Shefer represented Clal Insurance in a major claim arising from an oil spill in southern Israel, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount paid out by the client to the claimants. Rachel Levitan is a key name for reinsurance; Tammy Greenberg is noted for regulatory matters and class actions; and Moshe Abady is active in D&O liability and aviation-related matters. Addy Margalit is notable for her expertise in D&0 insurance and professional liability, particularly in the high tech sector.

Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co. fields a team of over 40 lawyers and is well equipped to represent international and national companies in complex disputes in all areas of insurance law. It has specialist experience of toxic torts, product liability, professional negligence, class actions and medical malpractice. Shay Cohen is leading a team representing Harel Insurance and its reinsurers, Zurich and HDI, in defending a compensation claim arising from a settlement reached between the contractor and owner, in which it was decided that Harel was liable for costs accrued due to delays in the construction of Ashod Desalination Plant. Gil Atar and Shimon Chertow are also noted.

S. Horowitz & Co's 'top-class group of litigation specialists' represents major international and domestic insurance companies in corporate and commercial disputes, major class actions, subrogation claims and claims relating to professional negligence, medical negligence and personal injury. The group also has experience handling transactional and regulatory work in the insurance space. In recent work. Avi Ordo, whose particular areas of expertise include product liability and professional liability, is defending HDI-Gerling Industries Verischerung in various damages claims arising from major accidents at work. Alex Hertman and Ehud Arzi are other key names.

Zelichov, Ben-Dan & Co's 'leading' insurance team represents major foreign and domestic insurers and reinsurers and large corporations in contentious matters, displaying particular strength in subrogation claims, medical malpractice and property damage disputes. The group also regularly represents UK insurance companies in claims involving Israeli parties and those under the jurisdiction of Israel through its working relationship with international law firm Kennedys. Zvika Zelichov, who is 'a towering presence in the market', is representing Israel Chemicals and Generali Insurance Company in a subrogation and recovery claim regarding $116m compensation paid in damages regarding an incident at Rotem Amdfert Negev's fertiliser plant. Chaim Zelichov and Yaron Ben-Dan are also noted.

Goldfarb Seligman & Co. acts for national and international insurance companies on incorporation in Israel, drafting insurance plans, implementing risk management strategies, advising on tender bids and in administrative proceedings and high-value class actions. Rami Sofer frequently advises insurance companies on M&A, corporate governance and commercial disputes, including a high volume of class actions. She is defending Hachshara Insurance in a NIS75m class action arising from the claimant's allegation that the defendant does not provide full compensation cover for damages to insured heavy vehicles. Associate Sagi Kahalani represents insurance agents and foreign reinsurers before regulatory and governmental authorities.

Granot Speiser Law Office's 'very experienced' practice frequently represents underwriters in litigation relating to D&O liability, professional liability, derivative claims and product liability claims, as well as acting for clients in criminal investigations and carrying out large-scale risk assessments. Shai Granot, who is 'an outstanding lawyer and a real expert in commercial litigation and insurance law', acts for insurance companies in professional liability and D&O liability litigation. He is representing Harel Insurance Company in claims stemming from the bankruptcies of Alon Oil Company and its subsidiaries - one of the largest commercial bankruptcies in the country's history.

Herzog Fox & Neeman is prominent in the insurance industry in terms of advising health maintenance organisations on healthcare coverage for health fund members and tender processes. It also represents clients in regulatory proceedings before the Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority and assists clients with corporate and commercial deals. Neta Dorfman Raviv, noted for her 'deep knowledge of how the regulator thinks', frequently represents insurance companies and financial institutions before governing authorities. She successfully defended Clal Insurance Company, Migdal Insurance Company and Phoenix Insurance Company in a $1.9bn class action regarding the companies' long-term care group insurance policies.

Lipa Meir & Co's team advises large Israeli insurance companies and corporations on various matters, including nursing care insurance policies, private healthcare insurance plans, professional liability and credit insurance. The firm also advises insurance companies on corporate transactions, including investments and M&A. Yariv Shalom focuses predominantly on insurance policy matters and transactions in the healthcare industry. Gad Azor is a key name for advising clients in the insurance industry on corporate transactions and bankruptcy proceedings. Gary Copelovitz's workload includes product liability claims and healthcare administration-related matters.

M. Firon & Co Advocates and Notaries represents insurance companies in class actions, matters before the Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority and competition law disputes. It also handles a range of corporate matters, including investments, issuances of debentures and acquisitions.  In a recent highlight, Danny Kabir represented various insurance companies, including IDI Insurance, Clal Insurance and Shomra Insurance, in various class actions relating to alleged age discrimination and other connected issues. Practice head Yossi Halevy has considerable expertise in the insurance sector, particularly in relation to representing clients before the Knesset, the Commissioner of Insurance and the Ministry of Finance.

Yigal Arnon & Co stands out for its experience in Supreme Court further hearing proceedings relating to insurance, and its track record handling regulatory proceedings before the Insurance Supervisor. The team also represents insurance companies in subrogation claims, malpractice claims, class actions and litigation regarding pension plans and life insurance policies. Yoran Gill, Ido Chitman and Barak Tal are key names. Associate Elad Offek defends large insurance companies during complex disputes, in relation to areas such as securities fraud and unfair trade practices. Associate Yuval Shamir represents insurance companies in personal injury claims, particularly in relation to road traffic accidents, and professional negligence suits.