Employers nationwide are experiencing a new wave of ERISA litigation targeting so-called “tobacco surcharges” on employees enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans. Because these lawsuits are generally brought as putative class actions, the stakes can be significant and some multi-million dollar settlements have already become public. But employers need not face the costs of defending and
Financial
Ponzi Perspectives: Q1 2026 Roundup
Since 2021, McGuireWoods’ Ponzi Litigation team has used the Ponzi Perspectives blog to track Ponzi-related complaints in federal and state courts, analyze key decisions affecting claims against financial institutions, and provide practical guidance for institutions facing suits from defrauded investors, receivers, and trustees. Ponzi litigation continues to proliferate with numerous complaints filed across dozens of…
Insurance Industry’s Use of AI: A Fair or Unfair Claim Settlement Practice?
The insurance industry has been swift to adopt artificial intelligence (“AI”). According to consulting firm McKinsey & Company, 76% of insurers surveyed have already begun using generative AI in their day-to-day operations. [1] This adoption spans the different facets of insurers’ work cycles, including claims, underwriting, legal, and risk management. Policyholders and their attorneys must…
When Geopolitic Events Disrupt the Cloud: Insurance Coverage for Data Center Supply Chain Losses in a New Era of Conflict
A New Risk Landscape for AI Infrastructure
Escalating tensions involving Iran—including maritime incidents affecting oil transport and alleged cyber and physical targeting of digital infrastructure in the Middle East—highlight a growing and underappreciated risk for AI-driven data centers: disruption that originates far beyond the insured’s own operations. These developments are not occurring in a vacuum.…
Delaware Supreme Court Affirms D&O Coverage in Harman International Bump-Up Exclusion Dispute
On January 27, 2026, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a significant pro-policyholder decision affirming that directors and officers (“D&O”) insurers must cover a $28 million settlement paid by Harman International Industries Inc., to resolve stockholder litigation arising from its multi-billion dollar sale to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The Court affirmed the Superior Court’s ruling that…
The Breach That Won’t Die: Navigating Post-Closing Conduct and RWI Coverage Disputes
Representations and warranties insurance (RWI) has become a fixture in today’s M&A landscape, offering buyers and sellers a mechanism to shift risk and streamline negotiations. Yet, as the RWI market matures, certain recurring disputes highlight the friction between deal economics, coverage intent, and post-closing realities. One common dispute arises when a pre-closing breach continues after…
Obtaining Insurance Recoveries From FAA-Mandated Flight Reductions
Government and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety directives have led to a reduction in flights beginning November 7, 2025, to protect people and property from potential accidents. The FAA’s Emergency Order Establishing Limitations on the Use of Navigable Airspace explains that the restrictions are necessary “to ensure the safety of aircraft” and “[t]o maintain the…
Fifth Circuit Issues Pro-Policyholder Ruling that ADR Proceeding Triggered Insurer’s Duty to Defend and Indemnify
On October 20, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a significant decision clarifying that an insurer’s duty to defend under Texas law extends to a contractually mandated alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceeding.[i] The Fifth Circuit reversed a magistrate judge’s dismissal of BPX Production Co.’s (BPX) coverage claims, holding…
Federal Banking Regulatory Agencies Issue Guidance on Crypto-Asset Safekeeping
The global crypto-asset market cap has increased from approximately $2.3 trillion on election day, November 5, 2024, to approximately $3.9 trillion today, some eight months later. That rise in demand has been accompanied by a dramatic change in how U.S. federal regulators approach crypto-assets. During the last administration, some financial institutions felt discouraged from offering…
The New Frontier: Data Centers, AI & Insurance Implications
Amazon’s recent announcement to invest at least $20 billion in cloud computing and AI data center campuses across Pennsylvania—a record‑breaking private investment in the Commonwealth—marks a turning point in digital infrastructure build-out. Spanning sites in Luzerne and Bucks counties, the project promises 1,250 full‑time roles and thousands more in construction, while pairing with high‑demand energy sources…