Practice Expertise

  • Insurance Coverage
  • Litigation
  • Securities Litigation and SEC Enforcement
  • Cyber Insurance

Areas of Practice

  • Cyber Insurance
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Litigation
  • Securities Litigation and SEC Enforcement
  • Cross-Border Insurance Coverage
  • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
  • Professional Liability
  • Recall Insurance
  • Sustainability and ESG
  • Transactional Insurance
  • View More

Profile

Geoff is an experienced litigator and advocate who helps policyholders maximize the value of their insurance assets.

Geoff dedicates his practice to advising corporate policyholders and their directors and officers in sophisticated insurance coverage matters, from placement of complex insurance programs and policy reviews to claim advocacy through arbitration, litigation, trials, and appeals. As part of Hunton Andrews Kurth’s full-service insurance coverage practice, he works with clients to maximize insurance recoveries through policy analysis and audits, claims presentation and negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation.

Although valued by clients for his extensive experience in the area of directors and officers (D&O) and management liability insurance, Geoff regularly assists policyholders in a wide range of insurance coverage disputes involving errors and omission (E&O), cybersecurity and data breaches, government investigations, representations and warranties, employee theft and fidelity claims, breach of fiduciary duty, environmental liabilities, business interruption, and property damage, including recovery for COVID-19-related losses.

He has particular experience advising private equity firms, portfolio companies, mutual funds, banks, and other companies in the financial sector. He works closely with in-house counsel and risk managers on insurance issues arising from corporate transactions, including structuring indemnity and insurance obligations, ensuring continuity of D&O and other critical coverages following asset sales, acquisitions, or other changes in control, and performing due diligence reviews.

In advising on complex D&O matters, Geoff leverages a valuable blend of experience in both insurance coverage and government investigations, having represented clients under investigation by the SEC and in connection with allegations of securities fraud, false claims, and money laundering/bank secrecy violations.

Geoff is a prolific author and thought leader on insurance and risk management topics, including as a frequent contributor to the Hunton Insurance Recovery Blog. He was selected as a Rising Star for Insurance Coverage by Washington, DC Super Lawyers magazine from 2015 to 2021 and was named as a leading lawyer in WWL: Professional Negligence 2022, where he was described by clients as “a great lawyer” who can “communicate complex subjects in an easy-to-understand manner” and “keep an open mind of the facts concerning matters being disputed.”

In addition to his insurance coverage work, Geoff also has experience representing individuals and corporations in state and federal litigation, trials, arbitration, appeals, and mediation in a variety of business disputes, including professional liability, breach of contract, employee benefits, and business torts.

Geoff maintains an active pro bono practice and has assisted non-profits and other entities in resolving various insurance coverage and civil litigation claims. He is a member of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation and has served on the DC Bar Foundation Young Lawyers Network Leadership Council and the Screening Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project.

During law school, he interned for the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan of the US District Court for the District of Columbia and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the George Mason Law Review. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, DC, and Pennsylvania, as well as before the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the US District Court for the District of Columbia, and the US District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania.

Relevant Experience

Insurance Advice and Counseling

Financial Services

  • Counseled large financial services company on cybersecurity and data breach coverage issues.
  • Advised private equity firm on securing coverage under D&O and representation and warranty policies in connection with government investigation and potential qui tam claims.
  • Represented current and former Fortune 50 bank executives in securing Side-A D&O coverage in connection with multiple government investigations.
  • Secured coverage under private-equity and portfolio-company D&O policies for lawsuit brought by bankruptcy trustee for fraudulent transfer, breach of fiduciary duty, and other equitable and injunctive remedies against numerous investment vehicles, holding companies, and operating entities.
  • Advised private equity firm on coverage under general liability and commercial auto insurance policies for personal injury lawsuit brought against various portfolio companies.
  • Represent current and former executives/outside directors in securing D&O coverage for fiduciary duty claims, including full coverage for multi-million dollar settlement and reimbursement of legal fees.
  • Advised bank on D&O coverage issues arising from DOJ, OFAC, and OCC investigations.
  • Represented bank with respect to D&O claims arising from securities class action, SEC investigation, and merger challenge lawsuit.
  • Represented hedge fund and fund adviser with respect to claims arising from SEC investigation.
  • Advised international bank on D&O coverage issues in connection with foreign investments.

White Collar Defense and Internal Investigations

  • Represented consulting firm in securing coverage and reimbursement for legal fees incurred in defending against investigation by the US Department of Justice.
  • Advised former officer on insurance issues under professional liability policy in connection with grand jury subpoena and government investigation.
  • Counseled publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company with respect to D&O claims arising from various regulatory investigations.

M&A

  • Perform due diligence reviews of insurance documents in deals and advise on scope of coverage afforded under legacy insurance programs for various pre- and post-closing claims or potential claims.
  • Secured coverage under private equity D&O policy for lawsuits alleging fraud, securities violations, and breach of representations and warranties brought by purchasers against private equity firm and affiliates arising from transaction under securities purchase agreement.
  • Advised electrical equipment company on claims under representation and warranty policy arising from environmental liabilities and breach of purchase agreement.
  • Negotiate, procure, and modify runoff/tail D&O coverage for acquired entities and advise deal lawyers and stakeholders on related insurance, indemnification, and pre- and post-transaction risk management issues.
  • Represented telecommunications company with respect to insurance coverage claims arising from merger-related litigation.

Energy

  • Counseled biofuel energy company on D&O coverage issues in connection with lawsuit alleging contract and fiduciary duty claims arising from failed sale of company following bankruptcy.
  • Advised oil and gas company in D&O policy placement and related loss mitigation issues.
  • Negotiated tail coverage and advised energy services company, directors, and private equity investors on D&O coverage issues in connection with potential claims arising out of bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Advised international investment corporation on professional indemnity insurance issues arising from construction of pipeline and liquid gas processing facilities.

Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights

  • Advised midstream energy company and executive on D&O coverage issues in connection with unsecured creditors committee claims for asset transfers, conflicts of interest, and executive compensation.
  • Analyzed coverage under D&O and management liability policies related to change in control, asset sales, and anticipated reorganizations for entities contemplating bankruptcy.
  • Performed policy review and assisted chemical company litigation and creditors’ trust with securing D&O coverage.

Telecommunications

  • Represented multi-national telecommunications company on D&O coverage issues arising from multiple US and international government investigations, enforcement proceedings, and related proceedings.
  • Represented large telecommunications company with respect to various coverage claims arising from property damage claims and employment-related disputes.

Retail

  • Represented multinational food and beverage company in connection with COVID-19 losses under property and trade name restoration policies.
  • Advised electronics manufacturing company on D&O coverage for wrongful termination lawsuit.
  • Counseled Fortune 500 retailer with respect to insurance coverage arising from alleged trademark infringement and related personal and advertising injury claims.
  • Advised restaurant group in connection with COVID-19 claims under property policies.

Arbitration/Litigation

  • Represented bank in defending against insurer’s declaratory judgment lawsuit seeking to extinguish obligations under D&O policy in connection with alleged contract, fiduciary duty, consumer protection, and fraud claims, resulting in favorable settlement.
  • Secured anti-suit injunction for client in litigation arising from contamination and FDA recall incidents.
  • Achieved complete defense award as first-chair at arbitration involving environmental remediation in disputed real estate transaction.
  • Defended insurance broker as second-chair at trial and appeal of professional liability claims involving procurement of property insurance.
  • Secured directed verdict in client’s favor as second-chair at trial involving insurance coverage dispute between policyholder, general liability insurer, and insurance broker.
  • Represented construction company in federal declaratory judgment and bad faith litigation involving claims under general liability and commercial auto policies.
  • Represented government contractor in arbitration asserting claims for insurance coverage under D&O policy for insurer’s bad faith refusal to reimburse fees in connection with government investigation.
  • Obtained complete defense award in insurance coverage dispute between insurer and broker as second-chair at multi-day arbitration proceeding.
  • Served as second-chair at arbitration hearing and defended related federal court litigation involving insurance claims for fire damage to manufacturing facility, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
  • Litigated insurance claims on behalf of metals and commodity company for breach and bad faith failure to pay proceeds under crime policy.
  • Coordinated internal investigations and led pro bono defense of lawsuits brought by former clients against DC non-profit social service agency, resulting in early dismissal of all claims.

Education
BA, Davidson College, 2006

Areas of Practice

  • Cyber Insurance
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Litigation
  • Securities Litigation and SEC Enforcement
  • Cross-Border Insurance Coverage
  • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
  • Professional Liability
  • Recall Insurance
  • Sustainability and ESG
  • Transactional Insurance

Professional Career



Articles

Additional Articles
  • Del. Solera D&O Decision May Have Limited Impact, Law360
  • Key Considerations For D&O Policy Related-Claims Clauses, Law360
  • Maximizing insurance coverage and managing risks for educational institutions, CEP Magazine
  • Victory for policyholders as Texas court interprets contract exclusion narrowly in favor of coverage, Westlaw Today
  • FTX Proceedings Highlight D&O Issues Amid Bankruptcy, Law360
  • Maximizing executive protection under D&O policies: Common disputes and lessons learned from recent case law, Thomson Reuters Westlaw
  • Insurer Denies Coverage for Deal Litigation Despite Bank Purchasing Runoff Coverage for Pre-Acquisition Alleged Wrongful Acts, The Banking Law Journal
  • Lessons From Calif. Liability Claim Recoupment Ruling, Law360
  • Del. Ruling Could Affect D&O Claims Beyond SPACs, Law360
  • Ensuring Insurability of Management Liability Claims, The Banking Law Journal
  • What’s in a Name? Avoiding Insurability Pitfalls with Name Changes and Other Corporate Transactions, Business Law Today
  • Protecting Delaware Insureds: Recent Decisions Highlight Importance of State Law, D&O Policy Provisions Governing Coverage, Forum, and Applicable Law, Business Law Today
  • Policyholder Win Highlights Key Issues to Maximize Coverage for False Claims Act Settlements, Insurance Coverage Law Center
  • Recent Rulings May Support False Claims Act Coverage, Law360
  • Considerations In Structuring Private Equity D&O Coverage, Law360
  • Insurance Insights From 5th Circ. Blue Bell Coverage Ruling, Law360
  • Insurance Insights From 5th Circ. Blue Bell Coverage Ruling, Law360
  • Summary of 2014 Case Law Developments Under D&O and E&O Policies, FC&S Legal
  • Bankruptcy and D&O Insurance: 10 Issues to Consider One Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic, Business Law Today
  • Recent decisions underscore the importance of ‘capacity’ issues in accessing D&O insurance coverage, Westlaw Today
  • Training for Tomorrow: 2021 Checklist for Entity Counsel Supervising the Creation or Renewal of an Executive Protection Program in the Age of “Cooperation”, Business Law Today
  • 5th Circ.: D&O Insurer Must Cover Firm for Social Engineering Losses Despite Professional Services Exclusion, The D&O Diary
  • How To Negotiate Better D&O Coverage For Antitrust Matters, Law360
  • Structure, Benefits, and Potential Pitfalls of Captive Insurance, Insurance Coverage Law Center
  • False Claims Act Settlements, Property Casualty 360
  • Compliance, crimes, and coverage: Mitigating risk through employee theft coverage, CEP Magazine
  • Bank Failure Highlights Related Claim Issues, State Law Considerations, In Directors and Officers Insurance Claims, Journal of Bankruptcy Law
  • Preserving insurance assets in M&A deals: South Carolina high court validates post-loss assignment of rights under insurance policies, Westlaw Today
  • Insurer’s ‘Unfair Competition’ Exclusion Defense to Product Liability Suit Overcooked, For Now, As Pressure Cooker Manufacturer's Insurance Claim Proceeds, Insurance Coverage Law Center
  • Unauthorized Insurers Face Unwelcome Fines and Expenses, American Bar Association
  • Common issues, tips for navigating related insurance claims (Part 1), PropertyCasualty360
  • Common issues, tips to navigate related-claims insurance issues (Part 2), PropertyCasualty360
  • Subpoena Defense Cost Ruling Gets Insurance Law Wrong, Law360
  • Considering Disclosure Risks In Sensitive Product Recalls, Law360
  • D&O Insurance Issues Arising from the COVID-19 Crisis, The D & O Diary
  • Are Courts Ignoring Policy Interpretation Rules in COVID Decisions?, Insurance Coverage Law Center
  • Insured Directors Not ‘Necessary’ for Complete Adjudication of Insurer’s Coverage Obligations, Insurance Coverage Law Center
  • The Importance of Insurance Coverage for Commercial Drone Operations, Unmanned Aerial
  • Oehninger and Fehling: A Primer on Insurance Coverage for FCPA Claims and Investigations, The FCPA Blog
  • The American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law, Liability Insurance: Scholarship and Controversy, Connecticut Insurance Law Journal
  • Uber’s CISO conviction underscores the importance of directors and officers insurance protection, SC Media Magazine
  • Boardroom Cryptonite: Assessing Coverage for Crypto-Related Exposures, The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law
  • Cannabis coverage conundrum: Was this property claim doomed? Property Casualty 360°
  • Let’s Make a Deal: Four D&O Coverage Issues to Consider in M&A Transactions, Business Law Today
  • How Cyber, D&O Insurance Can Mitigate Risk to C-Suite and Board Following a Cyber Attack, Corporate Counsel
  • Preventing Both Smoke and Fire: D&O Insurance for Cannabis Risks, Cannabis Business Executive
  • Insurance Tips For Mitigating DOJ Cyber Initiative Risks, Law360
  • Insurance Mitigates Cyber-Related Risk, The American Oil & Gas Reporter
  • Insurers Win Series Against Lakers in TCPA D&O Shootout, Law360
  • Cyber and D&O insurance: maximizing coverage for companies and executives from cyber incidents, Westlaw Today
  • Year in Review: Notable Insurance Coverage Developments of 2017!, Thomson Reuters Westlaw® 
  • Recall Roundup: October, National Law Review
  • Reducing Risks from Cyber Incidents with Cyber and D&O Insurance, The National Law Review
  • 3 D&O Questions Regarding Event-Driven Securities Litigation, Law360

Blogs

Meet our Firms and Professionals

WSG’s member firms include legal, investment banking and accounting experts across industries and on a global scale. We invite you to meet our member firms and professionals.