John is one of the top-rated insurance coverage lawyers in New York, with over forty years of experience in complex civil and commercial litigation.
He helps business clients recover the insurance dollars they purchased to protect themselves from critical loss exposure when their insurance companies resist paying. John applies his mastery of insurance coverage law and a range of disciplines for each underlying matter, including environmental law, toxic tort law, and securities law, to maximize recovery.
John advises policyholders in assessing the scope of their insurance coverage and negotiating policy language. He counsels clients in preparing insurance claims and in determining whether to pursue the settlement or litigation of disputed coverage claims.
He has vast experience in evaluating and negotiating settlements with insurance companies, including claims resolutions through mediation or arbitration, no matter the coverage or policy type—from comprehensive general liability, first-party property and business interruption, to errors and omissions, directors and officers, fiduciary liability, employment practices, crime, fidelity, Bermuda form, and environmental, cyber, and other specialty coverages.
Policyholder Clients
John represents corporate and governmental policyholders seeking insurance recovery for bodily injury, property damage, financial loss, and other alleged liabilities and possesses broad industry experience. His clients include chemical, energy, coatings, tire, building products, pulp and paper, mining, recycling, electronics, technology, beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical device manufacturers, as well as hotel operators, franchisors, home builders, property developers and owners, financial services companies, transportation and logistics companies, universities, and municipalities.
His experience also includes specialty policies designed to cover pollution cleanup and liability, such as environmental cost-cap and site liability policies, as well as cyber liability policies. He has represented clients seeking insurance recoveries for domestic and international liabilities and has substantial experience in insurance issues relating to mergers and acquisitions.
Litigation
John has served as lead counsel for policyholders in significant litigation involving insurance coverage for environmental, product, toxic tort, employment, securities, fiduciary, construction defect, and class action liabilities and for punitive damages. He has developed strategies to manage these cases cost-effectively and bring about their earliest possible settlement or resolution, including trial, if necessary, through appeal.
He has argued vital coverage issues before the highest courts of several states and has represented numerous industry and policyholder groups as amici curiae in federal and state appellate courts.
A collaborative problem solver, John is also called upon for his general litigation and dispute resolution skills, including mediation and arbitration.
In addition to insurance coverage disputes, he represents manufacturers in product liability, toxic tort, and mass liability cases. Other matters John has handled over his distinguished career include antitrust, trade regulation, intellectual property, banking, business torts, securities, commodities, contracts, construction, defamation, international, real estate, admiralty, and maritime disputes.
More Legal and Business Bylines From John H. Kazanjian
- Court Rejects Umbrella Coverage for Oil Spill Cleanup Costs where Underlying Insurance Requirements were Not Satisfied - (Posted On Wednesday, May 13, 2020)
- Seventh Circuit Underscores Importance of “Scientifically Reliable” Expert Opinion in Complex Environmental Insurance Coverage Cases - (Posted On Friday, May 31, 2019)
- Texas Supreme Court Holds Energy Company Can Recover Substantial Defense Costs Under Insurance Policy Covering Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill - (Posted On Tuesday, February 05, 2019)
- New York High Court Rules on “Unavailability Exception” to Pro Rata Allocation in Long-Tail Environmental Coverage Case - (Posted On Tuesday, April 03, 2018)
- Insurance Policyholders Score Victory on Critical Allocation Issue in Second Circuit Olin Decision - (Posted On Friday, July 28, 2017)
- Lost Insurance Policy? Pursuing Coverage for Long-Tail Environmental Liability Still Feasible - (Posted On Thursday, April 20, 2017)
- Second Circuit Offers Policyholders Painful Reminder on Giving Notice of Claims: Don’t Wait, Use Correct Addresses, and Be Specific - (Posted On Friday, February 10, 2017)
- Texas Supreme Court Rules that CERCLA PRP Letters and Enforcement Proceedings Are “Suits” Subject to the Duty to Defend Under Standard CGL Insurance Policies - (Posted On Thursday, July 02, 2015)
- Fifth Circuit Seeks Texas Supreme Court Input in Deepwater Horizon Insurance Coverage Dispute - (Posted On Tuesday, September 10, 2013)