Michael J. Gridley

Represents clients in a variety of complex insurance litigation issues before federal and state courts, including motions practice, discovery, briefing, argument, and trial, including extensive experience addressing complex discovery and trial readiness issues. Counsels clients on risk management strategies and develops solutions to resolve underlying exposures for clients. Conducted multiple portfolio-wide assessments of a client’s exposure in critical business lines, including providing strategic advice for existing and future claims practices. Represented insurer on appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court from a $14 million judgment in a case involving whether a comprehensive general liability policy provided coverage for hundreds of asbestos claims, obtaining a decision reversing and directing that judgment be entered for the insurer. Travelers Indemnity Co. v. CNH Industrial America, LLC, 2018 WL 3434562 (Del. July 16, 2018). Extensive experience assisting clients with risk mitigation and conducting internal investigations and risk assessments. Extensive pro bono litigation and trial experience, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues impacting students with mental illness at colleges and universities, child custody and adoption, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, and prisoners’ rights matters. While counsel at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, handled employment litigation matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and in federal district and appellate courts.

This CLE course will discuss defense cost coverage issues, including allocating costs in mixed actions, the insurer's right to recoup defense costs for non-covered claims, the insurer's obligation to pay defense fees for insured's independent counsel, and the insurer's right to limit reimbursement through billing and litigation management guidelines.