Greg Varga is a trial lawyer and the chair of Robinson & Cole's Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group, which is 40 lawyers strong and spans four of the firm's offices. Mr. Varga's practice is devoted exclusively to the representation of insurance companies nationally in complex litigation involving insurance coverage and allegations of bad faith and unfair claim settlement practices. Mr. Varga has advised and defended insurers in a wide range of coverage disputes, including, most recently, litigation arising from Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Florida hurricanes. He has also defended numerous multimillion-dollar coverage actions relating to the terrorist attacks of September 11, catastrophic losses to manufacturing and industrial facilities, losses involving construction defects and mold contamination, fire and explosion losses, and claims under boiler and machinery and builders risk policies. In addition, Mr. Varga has advised and represented clients in disputes between primary and excess insurers. Mr. Varga has successfully defended his clients in cases involving allegations of bad faith arising from the handling of claims made under a variety of policies, including CGL, property, commercial auto, securities broker/dealer, and other lines of professional liability insurance. Recently, Mr. Varga was lead trial counsel to a major international insurer in a Massachusetts bad faith action in which the plaintiffs had sought $40 million in compensatory and punitive damages against his client for its alleged failure to settle promptly a catastrophic personal injury claim. Following a trial spanning six weeks, Mr. Varga's client was exonerated of all liability and judgment entered in its favor. Additionally, Mr. Varga is often called upon to advise clients on coverage and claim-handling disputes at an early stage so as to eliminate or minimize extracontractual exposure and, where possible, avoid costly litigation altogether. Mr. Varga frequently writes and lectures on matters of concern to the insurance industry. He has been a guest lecturer in the Insurance LL.M. program of the University of Connecticut School of Law and has delivered lectures on trial techniques to other members of the bar. In addition, Mr. Varga previously chaired Robinson & Cole's in-house litigation and trial skills program. Professional Associations Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Member - Defense Research Institute, Member - Property Loss Research Bureau, Affiliate Member - Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association, Member - New England Claims Executives Association, Member - Boston Association of Claims Executives, Member - Honorable Order of the Blue Goose, Hartford Chapter, Member Honors and Awards - Listed in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the area of Insurance Coverage for 2011/2012 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.) - Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Insurance Law for 2012 (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC) - Hartford Business Journal, 2007, "40 Under Forty" Inductee Experience - Served as lead trial counsel for primary liability insurer in direct action "bad faith" case in which plaintiffs sought $40 million in compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees for its alleged failure to promptly settle tort claims against its insureds. Following a lengthy trial, the plaintiffs recovered nothing and Mr. Varga's client was cleared of all liability. - Representing a group of property and casualty insurers in coverage and bad faith action in Houston, Texas, in which plaintiffs seek more than $100 million for alleged business interruption losses, costs associated with defense of toxic tort suits, and Superfund project costs, all arising from plaintiffs' operation of California landfill that was deemed to have polluted groundwater. - Currently defending commercial property insurers in coverage and "bad faith" lawsuits involving claims for property damage and business interruption stemming from Hurricane Katrina. - Obtained summary judgment for insurer in Georgia federal court in action involving claim under "civil authority" business interruption coverage. Insured operated gift shops and newsstands in 60 airports and sought coverage for income losses incurred during period of FAA's order grounding aircraft nationally following terror attacks of 9/11. - Defended insurer in coverage and bad faith action pending in Maine federal court relating to claim under securities broker-dealer errors and omissions policy arising from government investigations into insured's handling of pension plans. - Advised and represented boiler and machinery carrier in complex dispute over nature and extent of property damage and business interruption losses attributable to failure of equipment in paper mill operation. - Represented commercial property insurers in major claims and lawsuits in Manhattan arising from business interruption and property damage caused by the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. - Advised and assisted property insurer in handling of $30 million claim for property damage and business interruption attributed to contamination of Florida office building with anthrax in October 2001. - Representation of insurer in $10 million fraud claim in New York State Supreme Court, where plaintiff withdrew action against insurer. Publications & Presentations Articles - "Property Insurance Litigation in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: The Early Results" (12/2006), published in CPCU Society Claims Quarterly, co-author - "Insurance Coverage Litigation in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina" (12/2005), published in CPCU Society Claims Quarterly, co-author - "Insurance Coverage Litigation in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina" (12/2005), published in CPCU Society Claims Quarterly, co-authored with Daniel F. Sullivan and Christopher F. Girard - "The Lawyer as Superadjuster: Erosion of Protections for Privileged Communications" published in Defense Research Institute - "The Lawyer as Superadjuster: Erosion of Protections for Privileged Communications" published in For the Defense, a publication of the Defense Research Institute, co-author Books - Chapter 39, "Cancellation of Insurance Policies" of Law and Practice of Insurance Coverage Litigation (2000), published by West Group Presentations - "The Erosion of Borders in Insurance Claims" (11/18/2011) presented at Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel's Insurance Industry Institute, Manhattan - "Obstacles to Resolution of Complex Property Insurance Claims and Litigation Arising from Damage to Condominiums" (8/2009) presented at Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel's Annual Meeting in Hot Springs, Virginia - "Complex Hardware and Software Losses" (March 2009) presented at Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB) Claims Conference in Seattle, Washington, where Mr. Varga and his copresenters imparted practical advice for the investigation, analysis, and adjustment of complex electronic data processing (EDP) claims. - "Discoverability of attorney-client communications and attorney work product generated during the course of an insurance claim investigation" (Winter 2006) presented at 17th Annual Aviation & Insurance Law Symposium in Orlando, Florida, sponsored by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - "Property Coverage Legal Update 2006: Hurricane Katrina and Beyond" (11/2006) presented at New England Claims Executives Association - "Weathering the Storm: An Update on First-Party Coverage Litigation Arising from Hurricane Katrina" (November 2006) presented at annual meeting of the CPCU Society, Connecticut Chapter - "Discoverability of attorney-client communications and attorney work product generated during the course of an insurance claim investigation" (1/2006) presented at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's 17th Annual Aviation & Insurance Law Symposium in Orlando, Florida - "Hurricane Katrina: New Challenges Facing the Insurance Industry" presented at New England Claims Executives Association (11/2005) and the Boston Association of Claims Executives (3/2006) News 12.21.11, Insurance & Reinsurance Partner Presents at FDCC Insurance Industry Institute Program 8.29.11, Attorney Delivers Presentation on Insurance Considerations for Historic Buildings in Williamsburg 9.28.10, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Deliver Presentation on Insurance Impacts of New Condominium Legislation 4.27.10, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Present On Chinese Drywall at Meeting of New England Claim Executives Association 3.30.09, Robinson & Cole Partners Speak at Annual PLRB Claims Conference 10.09.08, Robinson & Cole Insurance and Reinsurance Partner Elected Member of FDCC |