At this International Underwriting Association (IUA) market briefing, the speakers will be discussing the current trends and most pressing issues, including emerging exposures, best defense practices, and coverage issues in sexual misconduct matters.

Description

Sexual misconduct has sadly dominated news headlines in recent times. Accusatory offences incur a multitude of complex challenges and legal implications.

Claims arising from sexual abuse perpetrated decades ago are now being asserted with increasing frequency. Time-bar limitations that would otherwise apply have been disposed of by legislatures and courts.

How are problems of missing policies, gaps in coverage, lost or forgotten evidence being resolved?

At this market briefing, the speakers will be discussing the current trends and most pressing issues in sexual misconduct matters – including the recent wave of “reviver” statutes, lawsuit filings in 2020, bankruptcies and claims processes, the insurance coverages being called on for defense and loss, the coverage defenses, and the impact of media attention and COVID-19 upon settlements and trials.

Speakers

Alison Beanum (Partner, Clyde & Co US LLP, Los Angeles) is an active trial attorney who, over the past decade, has gone toe-to-toe against some of the most prominent sexual abuse lawyers in California.  Often retained before litigation commences, Alison is known for her in-depth investigations, her early case evaluation and negotiation, and her ability to skillfully litigate those issues that remain.  In these highly sensitive cases, she draws upon her deep experience, compassion, and creativity in order to secure the very best results for her clients – whether through settlement or trial.  Beyond her trial work, Alison enjoys providing counseling services to her clients, including the development of policies and training programs regarding the identification and prevention of childhood sexual abuse, the mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, and compliance with sexual harassment laws.

James Moffitt (Associate, Clyde & Co US LLP, Chicago) concentrates his practice on representing domestic and international insurers in high-exposure, complex insurance coverage disputes arising under various liability policies. Specifically, he has experience in general liability, professional liability, and bad faith claims. James also has experience with first-party property claims in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, James has been involved in coverage disputes involving the Catholic Church in response to statute of limitation window legislation in certain states and various Diocesan created compensation programs.

Cathy Sugayan (Partner, Clyde & Co US LLP, Chicago) is a partner in the Chicago office of Clyde & Co US LLP where she represents domestic and international insurers in insurance coverage and bad faith matters, including those arising out of sexual abuse, municipal and school liability, police misconduct, sports injuries, land use, construction, employment, and professional liability. She has litigated coverage in several State and Federal trial and appellate courts and in Bankruptcy Courts in matters involving duty to defend, indemnity for loss (including consent judgments), allocation, limits, intentional acts, claims made issues, other insurance, additional insureds, lost policies, UM/UIM and bad faith. She has also negotiated complex multiple claimant and multiple lawsuit matters culminating in global settlements and insurance buy-back agreements. She is a frequent speaker and author on insurance topics.

DISCLAIMER: The market briefing presentation materials and speaker comments therein were prepared solely by the presenter(s) in their personal and professional capacity. Any materials or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the IUA and IUA does not bear any responsibility for, or liability to, any parties in respect of the accuracy, legality or overall content of the presentation or any other comments made by speakers or other attendees during the market briefing.