Eric Hermanson is an experienced coverage attorney with a strong background in environmental, construction defect, asbestos and general liability claims. He graduated from Columbia Law School, serving as editor of the Columbia Law Review. He then clerked for Judge Conrad K. Cyr on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. For the past fifteen years, he has advised and represented insurers in a number of significant litigation matters, many involving very high exposures and unresolved issues of coverage law. Eric has been recognized by Law & Politics Magazine since 2004 as a Super Lawyer in the area of Insurance Coverage Litigation.
In addition to his coverage practice, Eric represents clients in a range of complex litigation matters, involving tort, contract, environmental, franchise, and intellectual property disputes; and in appellate proceedings in state and federal court.
Notable Experience
Insurance / Reinsurance
· Litigation counsel for various insurers in complex multi-party environmental lawsuits involving coverage, direct action, and bad faith claims; and in related bankruptcy, ADR and appellate proceedings.
· Primary litigation counsel, obtained summary judgment for general liability insurer in construction-defect case involving deficient performance of groundwater remediation system.
· Obtained Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of negligent-inspection claims against general liability insurer in high-profile multi-party case involving The Station nightclub fire.
· Represented liability insurers in federal litigation and bankruptcy adversary proceedings involving contested coverage for asbestos nonproduct claims.
· Represented prominent international reinsurer in widely-publicized trial and appellate proceedings involving annualization of environmental, toxic tort, and asbestos claims.
· Lead litigation counsel to insurance broker in TRO and preliminary injunction proceedings alleging breach of noncompete provision of employment agreement, and counterclaims for unfair labor practices.
· Authored or co-authored amicus briefs for state and national trade organizations, including Complex Insurance Claims Litigation Association ("CICLA"), Property Casualty Insurers' Association of America ("PCIAA"), and West Virginia Insurance Federation, on issues relating to extracontractual liability of CGL insurers.
Complex Commercial
· Lead counsel to Massachusetts web site operator in federal appellate proceeding involving constitutional protection for dissemination of electronically intercepted communications.
· Co-counsel for Fortune 500 energy company and private developer in complex multi-year litigation involving preliminary agreement to build 540-megawatt power plant. Dealt with novel issues involving contract formation, damages, and bad faith.
· Lead counsel for Massachusetts footwear manufacturer in action alleging breach of technology licensing agreement.
· Co-counsel for manufacturer-defendant in complex commercial dispute regarding allegedly deficient performance of automated assembly system. Obtained summary judgment for client on tort, implied warranty, and consequential damage claims.
· Lead advisory counsel for medical products manufacturer in federal MDL and related state tort proceedings involving latex allergy and related injuries.
· Represented major medical company in class action and related civil litigation avisory from distributors of allegedly contaminated blood products.
· Principal outside counsel for Massachusetts-based manufacturer of electronic pet containment systems in contract, franchise, trade secret, and intellectual property matters.
Before Edwards Wildman
Before joining Edwards Wildman Palmer in 2010, Eric was a partner at a prominent law firm in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in insurance, reinsurance, and complex commercial litigation.
News & Publications
December 15, 2010, In Bloomberg, Eric Hermanson Examines New Challenge for Liability Insurers from Medicare Secondary Payor Act
December 2010, The Medicare Secondary Payor Act and Insurance Bad Faith Liability
October 7, 2010, EAPD Attorneys Selected For Inclusion in Super Lawyers 2010
June 1, 2010, Francis Mackie Joins Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge in London as Partner in Firm's Insurance & Reinsurance Department
Memberships
· American Bar Association
· Massachusetts Bar Association
· District of Columbia Bar Association