Blank Rome LLP represents policyholders exclusively, with recovery specialists across Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and several other key locations, acting for a variety of blue-chip clients in disputes spanning most of the key drivers of first and third-party losses of recent years, including asbestos, environmental damage, PFAS and toxic torts, COVID-19, and more, notably representing CVS Health Corporation in relation to the liabilities arising from its dispensation of opioids, and various religious institutions in coverage disputes connected to sex abuse cases. Reputed coverage partner James Murray leads the practice alongside Los Angeles-based Linda Kornfeld, who has significant experience in Bermuda Form arbitrations, and seasoned trial lawyer John Gibbons is particularly active in emerging risk areas such as media liability, biometric and data privacy, reps and warranties, and various professional liability and first-party loss insurance. Also filling the bench is seasoned recovery veteran John Heintz and Washington DC-based Robert Jacobs, who comes highly recommended for Bermuda Form arbitrations and has recovered significant sums for clients in the chemicals industry. In New York, trial lawyer Jared Zola is a key contact for high-profile clients, and in Los Angeles, Mary Craig Calkins has over 35 years of experience litigating high-profile coverage disputes. Lisa Campisi handles disputes for PE firms, financial entities, and various Fortune 100 companies, and is experienced in catastrophic weather events. Omid Safa‘s broad practice includes guiding clients on cyber liability matters and reps and warranties claims. Chicago-based Rikke Dierssen-Morice is particularly noted for her construction and product recall coverage practice, Natasha Romagnoli is a key contact for schools and non-profits, and Helen Michael handles a wide range of coverage disputes from DC. Jeffrey Schulman joined the team in August of 2024 from Pasich LLP, and specializes in sex abuse claims. Kyle Brinkman is another name to note.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Helen Michael, in particular, stands out for her niche practice and her exceptional advisory skills on insurance policy and coverage. Her ability to provide strategic guidance tailored to our unique needs has been invaluable.’
‘The team with Rob Jacobs in the DC office has vast experience in high-value Bermuda Form arbitrations and a tremendous track record of success in high-value claims. Its knowledge and expertise in running complex arbitrations for policyholders is unsurpassed.’
‘We worked with Blank Rome partner Mary Craig Calkins. She was uniquely proactive and singularly focused on getting a solution to a complex dispute. Highly collaborative, deeply thoughtful, and practical.’
‘Mary Craig Calkins is a cut above any insurance coverage counsel as a problem solver. Really excellent work, nuanced but persistent to get to a resolution. Her advice was perfect. I would recommend her in a heartbeat above any other resource for insurance coverage work.’
‘Outstanding knowledge and practical experience in Bermuda Form arbitrations. Best policyholder team in the US.’
‘Robert Jacobs - the stand-out partner in this team from Bermuda Form. He has unrivaled experience. Always a joy to work with.’
‘Jim Murray - strategist and mentor to younger lawyers. Rob Jacobs - strategist with deep knowledge of Bermuda form policies. Jared Zola - up-and-coming leader in the practice area. Omid Safa - passionate about fighting for his clients. Kyle Brinkman - responsive and detail-oriented.
‘Omid Safa specifically has been amazing. Mr. Safa's ability to make us feel comfortable and confident is greatly appreciated. There is no task that he would not undertake when asked (even help with simple email responses) and he always had our best interests at heart. More than that, we feel his deep understanding of financial and legal advice is evident at every turn. Also, Sharon Klein has been helping us sort our cyber insurance. Ms. Klein is making sure we are looking to the future and protecting the organization.’
Key clients
- Archdioceses of New Orleans, San Diego, Baltimore
- Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
- Diocese of Santa Rosa
- Diocese of Sacramento
- CVS Health Corporation
- Mall Properties, Inc.
- Day to Day Imports Inc.
- Oxgord Inc.
- Stanzino Inc.
Work highlights
Representing Cobalt International Energy as lead counsel in a $300 million D&O insurance case (Cobalt International Energy, Inc., et al. vs. Illinois National Insurance Company, et al.; Case No. 2016-31648; 125th District Court, Harris County, Texas), in which Cobalt and its directors and officers seek defense and settlement-related indemnity costs for several underlying securities class actions, and related SEC and DOJ investigations.
Represent Bimbo Bakeries in a coverage suit involving a $10M bodily injury claim arising from the client's counterclaims seeking coverage from ASIC arising from an underlying action alleging bodily injury from a load of finished goods crushing a driver of Bimbo’s delivery truck.
Represented Nooter in litigation regarding its right to insurance defense and indemnity in connection with asbestos bodily injury suits filed against the company.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
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Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
John Gibbons; Linda Kornfeld; Jim Murray
Other key lawyers
John Heintz; Mary Craig Calkins; Robert Jacobs; Jared Zola; Lisa Campisi; Omid Safa; Rikke Dierssen-Morice; Natasha Romagnoli; Jeffrey Schulman; Barron Weinstein