Aaron Coombs is a counsel and represents policyholders in insurance coverage disputes and litigation.

Aaron has experience in every stage of litigation, having represented clients with insurance disputes over cyber attacks, government investigations, securities lawsuits, product liability, environmental contamination and other claims. He also identifies gaps in coverage and assists clients in negotiating for improved terms and conditions. He has helped clients maximize their insurance assets under almost all types of insurance policies.

Aaron has experience across a range of industries, including food and beverage, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, technology and utilities.

Representative Experience

  • Representing pharmaceutical manufacturer seeking coverage for various product liability lawsuits, including opioids.
  • Representing biopharmaceutical company in securing D&O coverage for settlement of a securities class action and SEC investigation.
  • Representing chemical manufacturer with Representations & Warranties insurance claims in connection with recent acquisition.

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  • Representing electronics manufacturer with cyber-insurance claim arising from a ransomware attack.
  • Representing Formosa Plastics Corporation in claim under environmental liability insurance for the defense and settlement of lawsuit under the Clean Water Act.
  • Representing public utility with disputed D&O insurance claim over securities class actions and related SEC investigation.
  • Representing nonprofit organization with property insurance claims for damage to newly constructed facility designed to provide affordable housing, job training and health care for low-income residents in the District of Columbia.
  • Representing school district in connection with coverage for sexual abuse claims.
  • Represented senior living facilities seeking coverage for COVID-19 related losses.
  • Advised an independent trustee for senior living facilities in bankruptcy on how to maximize the debtor’s D&O and E&O insurance assets.
  • Represented national retailer in connection with cyber-insurance business interruption claim arising from ransomware attack.
  • Represented technology manufacturer in claims brought under Representations & Warranties insurance policies based on seller’s failure to disclose known liabilities.
  • Helped multiple clients negotiate D&O insurance coverage in connection with initial public offering (IPO) or SPAC transactions.
  • Advised numerous clients during the negotiation, placement and/or renewal of cyber-insurance policies.
  • Assisted multiple private equity companies negotiate Representations & Warranty insurance in connection with a sale or acquisition of a subsidiary.
  • Obtained coverage for data analytic firm’s settlement of class-action lawsuits for alleged violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
  • Represented owner of mixed-use development in Los Angeles in connection with property insurance claims for losses and damages caused by construction defects.
  • Represented North Carolina utilities in first-ever coal combustion residual (CCR) insurance litigation under newly enacted federal and state CCR rules.
  • Helped numerous public and private clients resolve disputed D&O insurance claims.
  • Represented the Tennessee Valley Authority in securing over $335 million in insurance coverage for the clean-up of the largest coal ash spill in U.S. history.
  • Represented a trust benefiting the U.S. and Canadian governments in seeking over $600 million in coverage for the historic asbestos and environmental liabilities of pre-bankruptcy General Motors.
  • Assisted gaming resort client in recovery of $20 million in cyber-insurance coverage for a high-profile hacking attack.
  • Represented IP-licensing firm in recovery of defense costs for breach of contract and antitrust cases.
  • Represented global pharmaceutical manufacturer in recovery of defense costs and settlements for antitrust and false claims act cases and investigations.
  • Represented grocery store chain in recovery of defense costs and settlement for class-action customer discrimination case.
  • Represented banking industry client in recovery of defense costs for class-action overdraft fee litigation.
  • Conducted a comprehensive insurable risk review for nation’s largest supermarket cooperative, including selection of insurance brokers and negotiation of insurance terms and conditions.
  • Represented leading online real estate marketplace in seeking recovery of defense costs and settlement amounts for employment discrimination, copyright infringement and trade secret claims.
  • Assisted food manufacturer recover over $6 million insurance and indemnification proceeds for losses incurred in four separate product recall incidents.
  • On behalf of a food manufacturer, recovered over $7 million from supplier for losses arising out of product recall caused by allergen-containing ingredient.
  • Assisted mining industry client in recovery of over $12 million in insurance proceeds for property damage and environmental claims in U.S. and Chile.
  • Lead coverage counsel for telecommunications client in recovery of insurance proceeds for legacy toxic tort liabilities.
  • Represented several utility companies in litigation seeking coverage for environmental clean-up costs for historic manufactured gas plants.

Professional Highlights

  • Mentioned, “Deal Slowdown Softening R&W Insurance Market, Reports Say,” Law360, December 6, 2023.
  • Member of the Insurance Recovery & Advisory practice, named by Law360 as a Practice Group of the Year in 2010, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2022.
  • Listed in Washington D.C. Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” (2015 – 2021)

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  • Publications
    • “Could organizations deemed ‘too big to breach’ face more stringent cyber regulations?” Willis Towers Watson – Decode Cyber Brief, March 2, 2018.
    • “A Look at Insurance Notice Trends in Wyoming and Colorado,” Law360, October 14, 2016.
    • “Insurance Coverage for Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Risks,” LexisNexis – New Appleman Law of Liability Insurance, 2nd Edition, June 2010.
  • Speaking Engagements
    • “Top Four Cyber Coverage Trends for 2023,” Pillsbury Insurance Policyholder Summit, New York, NY, December 8, 2022.
    • Cyber Risk Symposium for Financial Industry, Willis Towers Watson, New York, NY, March 1, 2018. Co-presenter.
    • Co-Chair and presenter, Lavender Law – Insurance Institute, LGBT Bar Association, Washington, DC, Aug. 6, 2016.
    • “Allocating Risk for Privacy and Data Security in Commercial Contracts and Related Insurance Implications,” National Capital Region Association of Corporate Counsel, Washington, DC, July 23, 2016. Co-presenter.
    • “Legal Brief: Settlements Can Be Exhausting – A Cautionary Tale,” Washington Metropolitan Area Corporate Counsel Association (WMACCA) Legal Brief Series, Washington, DC, December 18, 2013.
    • “The Interaction of Insurance and Indemnification Clauses – Practical Advice and Pitfalls to Avoid,” 2013 WMACCA Non-Profits and Associations Forum, Washington, DC, July 11, 2013. Co-presenter.
  • Associations
    • Member, American Bar Association, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
    • National LGBT Bar Association, Member

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2008
    Executive Editor, Virginia Journal of Social Policy and Law

    B.Sc., Chemistry, McGill University, 2004
    with Great Distinction

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

    Virginia