Previous Seminars

Advance Depositions: Strategies for Taking Depositions in Insurance Bad Faith Cases

Guy O. Kornblum
Principal, Guy O. Kornblum, APLC

Bradley A. Levin, Esq.
Shareholder, Levin Sitcoff PC

This CLE program will focus on effective techniques for taking depositions in insurance bad faith cases with an emphasis from the plaintiff/insured’s perspective.

Case Selection, Evaluation, and Beyond

Our panelists will discuss the elements of case selection, evaluation and other aspects relating to acceptance of representation. While focusing on personal injury and insurance cases, the topics will apply to many other types of cases.

This will be a very extensive look at the topics by highly experience practitioners who are the senior members of their firms.

Lecturers for this Course

Evaluating and Negotiating Insurance Bad Faith Cases

At some juncture during the life of an insurance bad faith case, the parties’ counsel will need to address the potential for settlement of the case. Given the distinctive nature of bad faith claims, assessing the value of such claims presents certain challenges.

Likewise, depending on the nature of the claim and the issues involved, counsel for both the policyholder and the insurance company should be mindful of important considerations in trying to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution on their clients’ behalf. Attorneys with vast experience in handling these cases will share with you their insights and guidance on this important topic.

Lecturers for this Course

 

Key Points for Success in Virtual Mediation

Our Panel will discuss how the new remote communication process works, and affects the approach and strategies in mediations, including:

  • What are the dynamics of remote mediations?
  • What if your client is remote as well; does that change your ability to communicate and if so how?
  • Using the private “Zoom Rooms” to have confidential meetings.
  • How remote mediations expand the process and add to the information base.
  • Suggestions for making the remote process work better than even when all are at the same location?
  • Getting the interim agreement in writing; is it necessary?
  • Remote use of experts and witnesses to participate in the process “live” but remote.

Lecturers for this Course

 
 

Key Issues in Presenting Expert Testimony in Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Cases

Claims adjusters are typically used in bad faith litigation to opine as to the reasonableness of another claims adjuster ‘s conduct. Underwriters are typically experts in coverage litigation providing an opinion on underwriting specific risks and the interpretation and intent of specific policy provisions.

Litigators must be careful to avoid pitfalls of using expert witnesses whose credibility might be easily attacked based on previous testimony or due to his or her relationship with a particular insurance company, or selecting a witness whose experience is very limited within the insurance industry.

Our presenters will provide counsel in insurance cases with a general overview of the evidentiary rules governing the admissibility of expert opinion testimony. They will discuss the use of expert testimony in coverage and bad faith suits, as well as the obstacles that a party may face in presenting expert testimony.

Lecturers for this Course

 
 

Intriguing Insurance and Related Issues

This CLE course is a survey of issues that are looming under the headlines, or have in some cases been the source of headlines but are unresolved. Mr. Kornblum will identify various areas in insurance law and related areas that he believes will be important in the future. His focus is on giving you some insight to these areas so you can be on the lookout for cases involving them or similar issues. This is a ‘heads up’ approach to the Insurance Law Practice.