One of only a few disputes-only boutiques in the space, Chaffetz Lindsey LLP‘s New York-based team advises insurers and reinsurers in intricate and high-stakes litigation and arbitration, leveraging the firm’s deep experience with international arbitration to handle matters that traverse several markets, including London and Bermuda. The group is staffed by an experienced team of commercial disputes partners, including veteran practitioner Steven Schwartz, whose experience spans trial, appellate, and arbitration work for insurers and reinsurers, Cecilia Moss, a founding partner with extensive insurance and reinsurance experience that has touched many major industry controversies including COVID-19, asbestos, and environmental contamination, and Charles Scibetta, who takes on high-stakes cases for clients such as AIG concerning a variety of environmental liabilities and other high-profile issues. With over 40 trials and arbitrations under his belt, Peter Chaffetz handles high-profile matters in the reinsurance and insurance spaces, including insolvencies, asbestos, application of aggregate limits, mass torts, and surety disputes, to name a few. Most recently, he was appointed as US counsel for the insolvency practitioners investigating the reinsurance collapse caused by Insurtech company Vesttoo’s fraud. Another cornerstone of the boutique is ’intellectual powerhouse’ Andrew Poplinger, who is well-versed in reinsurance disputes, P&C speciality lines, London-seated Bermuda form arbitrations, and various environmental and extreme weather-related coverage issues. Joshua Anders is trusted by some of the US’s largest insurers to handle coverage disputes concerning product liabilities, defamation, business interruption, fraud, and environmental contamination, and Erin Valentine advises insurers with regard to a vast array of coverage disputes.  
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'A premier boutique litigation firm for insurers. The firm straddles two divides: the attorneys advocates in both court proceedings and arbitrations. In addition, they are equally familiar in a US environment or a UK or European arbitration. That cultural fluency is impressive.'
  • 'Peter Chaffetz is king pin of insurance disputes. Charlie Scibetta has a dazzling array of high profile cases for insurers. Andrew Poplinger is an intellectual powerhouse.'
  • 'Great team, excellent work product, excellent attitude and team spirit.'
  • 'Peter Chaffetz is a major player and rainmaker in this market. Highly experienced and widely respected.'

Key clients

  • AIG
  • Allianz/Fireman’s Fund
  • Arch
  • Chubb
  • Enstar
  • Ergo Versicherungs AG
  • Marsh
  • Sun Life Financial
  • Trisura International Insurance
  • Zurich Insurance Company North America

Work highlights

  • Representing AIG in actions pending in three states arising out of the California Lead Paint litigation, in duelling litigations in New York and New Jersey concerning alleged groundwater contamination with MTBE (with underlying litigations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland), and in proceedings concerning the Combat Arms Earplug litigation, resulting in a $6B settlement.
  • Advising one carrier in connection with an Bermuda Form arbitration seated in London concerning coverage for a mass tort action.
  • Representing the Joint Provisional Liquidators of White Rock Insurance (SAC) Ltd. in connection with a massive reinsurance fraud perpetrated by Vesttoo, With over $2.2 billion of reinsurance limits directly at issue.

Lawyers

Hall of fame

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Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next generation partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Peter Chaffetz; Cecilia Moss; Steven Schwartz; Charles Scibetta

Other key lawyers

Andrew Poplinger; Joshua Anders; Erin Valentine