Matthew Murphy

Matthew M. Murphy is a founding partner at Bates Carey LLP where his practice focuses on complex insurance matters, including transportation and construction risks, reinsurance transactions and arbitrations, organization formulation and dissolution, coverage litigation, broker-company relations, claim oversight and examinations, policy and contract preparation, and regulatory affairs, in addition to general corporate governance and litigation. He also represents a number of corporations outside of the insurance industry, providing litigation services and general legal counsel. Before dedicating himself to private legal practice, Matt held several executive positions with Aon Corporation subsidiaries, including senior vice-president and director of Aon Risk Consultants and Virginia Surety Company, Dearborn Insurance Company, and vice-president of Aon Reinsurance Agency. Prior to that, he was with Crum & Forster Managers Corporation in various insurance claim, regulatory and ceded reinsurance positions. He began his insurance career with Sentry Insurance, A Mutual Company. Matt has been recognized by clients and fellow lawyers in Best Lawyers by U. S. News & World Report, 2015; and by Leading Lawyers, consecutively since 2014. Publications Insurers: Who Owns, Regulates and Cleans Up After Them?, CLE, December 21, 2010 Insurance Corner; State of the Market, 17th and 20th Annual Railroad Liability Seminars, 2010 and 2013 Construction Law and Insurance Coverage Overview, First Presented February 25, 2009 Railroad Insurance 101: Overview and Issues, First Presented April 18, 2008 Enough About Reinsurance To Make You Dangerous, CLE, June 2005 Representative Matters Successfully represented cedent in a confidential arbitration adverse to a reinsurer which declined to pay excess losses which had been outstanding for an extended period of time. Represented insurers interests in rail collision at Chatsworth, CA resulting in multiple passenger fatalities and numerous severe injuries. Resolved complex insurance issues without resorting to litigation or arbitration while invoking liability limitations afforded under Federal statute to protect policyholders from exposure in excess of available insurance protection. Served as general counsel to an insurance brokerage which established itself as a professional liability managing general agency, including obtaining authority to operate nationwide, establishing reinsurance arrangements between issuing insurer and affiliated underwriting entity, licensing entity and individuals in all jurisdictions, negotiating employment agreements and otherwise addressing all legal needs of the client to allow launch of its operations. Successfully represented reinsurer in a confidential arbitration adverse to a primary insurance company seeking coverage for lawsuits against policyholder relating to installation of telecommunications equipment on real property of underlying claimants. Represented insurers interests in rail collision at Glendale, CA resulting in multiple passenger and crew fatalities and numerous severe injuries. Conducted a series of mediations on behalf of clients which resulted in favorable settlements which weighed complex liability issues and potentially significant damages quantum. Successfully defended a private non-insurance corporation from fax blasting allegations asserted in Illinois. Defended crane owner and operator in Chicago-area construction accident litigation arising from damage to both real and personal property during an unsuccessful lift. Matter included complex contractual issues which ultimately allocated fault between client, general contractor and other parties. Successfully defended insurer under Wisconsins direct action statute as respects asbestos claims asserted against railroad. Successfully represented insurer in coverage and liability dispute arising from severe personal injury claim potentially compensable under Vermonts workers compensation statutes or the Federal Employers Liability Act. Obtained favorable outcomes in two Illinois declaratory judgment actions in which general contractor for a major government construction project asserted additional insured status against two unrelated subcontractors insured by single insurer. Presentations Claims - A Legal Perspective & Emerging Issues, RIMAs Annual Conference at the Arizona Biltmore (September 19, 2019)