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
Insurance
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…
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…
The Archdiocese Resurrects Faith in the New York Court System: New York Supreme Court Issues Another Decision Allowing a New York Policyholder to Seek Damages for Bad-Faith Claim Handling
Last month, the New York Supreme Court issued a well-reasoned order denying the Archdiocese’s insurers’[1] motion to dismiss its claim against them for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, holding that the policyholder’s complaint sufficiently alleged its Insurers claim handling conduct amounted to bad faith.[2] The Order is part…
North Carolina: Policyholders Not Contributorily Negligent for Agent’s Misstatements
In a pro-policyholder ruling, the North Carolina Supreme Court recently held that a homeowner’s claims against an insurance agent for negligence and gross negligence, seeking punitive damages, survived a motion to dismiss based on the insurance agency’s course of dealing with the homeowner. The decision, Jones v. J. Kim Hatcher Insurance Agencies, Inc., et al.,…
The Increasing Importance of Political and Marine/War Risks Insurance to Manage Risks From Global Unrest and Disruptions to the International Trade System
Today, large swaths of the globe stand at the brink of political violence and armed conflict with some areas in active warfare. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Israel’s armed conflicts against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the simmering tensions regarding China’s territorial claim to Taiwan and other disputed territories in the South…
America’s Aging Dams and Other Infrastructure is an Urgent Insurance Coverage Issue
Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more destructive. No part of the United States is entirely immune from some combination of tornadoes, fires, droughts, earthquakes, freeze events, and hurricanes. Indeed, 2024’s “extraordinary” hurricane season saw Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastate swaths of the Southeastern United States from Florida to North Carolina.[1]…
The SEC’s Cybersecurity Incident, Governance, and Management Reporting Requirements: What you Need to Know to Avoid Cyber and D&O Coverage Gaps
The SEC public company cyber disclosure rule raises issues that companies should consider in reviewing existing insurance coverage and in assessing overall risk.
The SEC recently adopted a new cybersecurity disclosure related rule (the “SEC Cyber Disclosure Rule”)[1] in response to increasing risks associated with cyber incidents and a perceived need for investors to…
Xerox Obtains Important Pro-Policyholder Decision in New York’s First Department, Adopting Narrow Construction of “Arising From” Exclusions and Confirming That Insurers Who Show Indifference to Policyholders’ Rights May Be Liable for Bad Faith in New York
In March last year, New York’s Appellate Division – First Department issued Xerox an important pro-policyholder decision in its D&O insurance recovery action against Travelers, arising from Xerox’s failed 2018 merger with Fujifilm. In a thoughtful order, the court issued three key pro-policyholder rulings that: (1) reinforce the rule that the words “arising from” when…