Lewis and Roca has a large insurance practice that spans Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. We are a full service firm—our practice covers all lines of insurance and all manner of issues, from claims to litigation to business considerations.
We counsel our clients on pressing internal issues, regulatory compliance and claims outside of litigation. We routinely evaluate and opine on policy coverage and, of course, we represent our clients in lawsuits. From the simplest interpleader to the most complex coverage case and from the relatively low exposure contract matter to the large exposure institutional bad faith case, we have the depth and breadth of experience to advocate for our clients both zealously and efficiently.
Increasingly, life, health and disability claims are subject to ERISA and our insurance practice group includes a team of lawyers who concentrate on ERISA litigation. This technical area requires lawyers who are thoroughly familiar with the regulatory framework and ever-growing case authority. Our lawyers have handled hundreds of cases for insurers, employers, plans and plan fiduciaries, in actions brought by plan participants and beneficiaries seeking benefits and in actions brought by plan entities.
We are sensitive to our clients’ concerns about the increasing cost of litigation. As litigators and trial lawyers, we are always prepared to try a case. However, we always explore cost efficient resolutions to litigation, including early alternative dispute resolution.
In our work, we attempt a common-sense approach, but without sacrificing advocacy where advocacy is warranted. Our lawyers have the experience necessary to provide pro-active, timely and cost-efficient advice.
The non-litigation aspects of representing
ERISA welfare benefit plans include counseling clients on employee benefit plan design for both insured and self-funded plans. Our lawyers draft and review plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and claims procedures. We also provide advice and representation in connection with Department of Labor benefit plan audits, contested claims and analysis of prohibited transactions and available exemptions.
Our regulatory lawyers are well-qualified to assist with our clients’ regulatory and administrative needs in connection with insurance matters. We represent insurers and insurance-related organizations or associations and other businesses in a wide range of matters and in a variety of contexts – including developing, coordinating and implementing compliance strategies on new laws, as well as representing our clients’ interests on matters such as administrative investigations, financial and market conduct examinations, licensing and compliance disputes.
Lewis and Roca is able to assist clients in a wide range of
government relations matters. The firm's attorneys and professionals follow new, developing and emerging legislation and are readily available to develop, coordinate and implement strategies before the Arizona and Nevada Legislatures, the Governors’ Offices, state agencies and other governmental entities. We regularly represent clients' interests before administrative agencies and legislative bodies on matters such as legislative hearings and rulemaking proceedings in connection with proposed and pending state, county and city legislation and proposed plans to adopt or amend agency rules.