February 5, 2013
Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP
750 Lexington Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York  10022

Edwards Wildman Speakers:  John D. Hughes, Mary-Pat Cormier, Mark Meyer

Registration: 3:15 – 3:30 PM
Program: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Drinks & Canapes: 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Our panelist will review developments in the D&O Market in various jurisdictions around the world.

Review of the International D&O Market from the Broker Perspective – James will provide an update on the D&O market from the broker perspective, including the primary considerations to bear in mind when selecting a carrier for and designing the structure of an international D&O program.

Canada – The globalization of the economy has substantially expanded potential legal and regulatory exposure for directors and officers of publicly-traded companies in Canada. Mary-Pat will survey some key developments in securities litigation in Canada over the past year, with particular attention to the continued increased emphasis on securities class actions and what liability risks may ensue, including: securities class action litigation trends; significant settlements, such as the $117M (CDN) settlement of the Sino Forest case; extraterritorial effects of provincial securities litigation; and the implications of the Ontario Securities Commission’s proposed use of “no-contest settlements”. As well, we will touch upon noteworthy Canadian decisions that had particular relevance for executive risks in 2012, and what that could mean for the D&O markets in 2013 and beyond.

UK – Mark will analyze the very recent decision of the UK Court of Appeal in ACE European Group .v Standard Life Insurance, concerning the apportionment of mitigation costs between insured and uninsured objectives, which raised interesting issues regarding coverage for settlements of liability claims against directors, professional persons and organizations.

Germany – Mark will explain the new D&O policy being developed for supervisory board members in light of the increase in liability cases being brought against them.

BIOGRAPHIES
John D. Hughes practice has focused on advising liability insurers of financial institutions, particularly banks, investment advisers, mutual funds, venture capital funds, and insurance and securities brokers on claims under ERISA, the Investment Company and Investment Advisers Acts of 1940, federal and state securities laws and state law on negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.

Mary-Pat Cormier focuses her practice in the area of financial services and securities litigation, including disputes arising out of both coverage and bad faith claims handling against professional and specialty lines liability carriers.

James Jackson has extensive knowledge of placing Directors’ and Officers’ Liability, Errors and Omissions Liability, Employment Practices Liability, Crime and Fiduciary Liability for UK, US and International clients, both Financial Institutions and Commercial. His responsibilities include managing market relationships, developing new business and day to day client management.

Mark D. Meyer leads the firm’s D&O practice in London. He has extensive experience in disputes involving coverage and policy construction. He acts for many insurers and reinsurers in the London Insurance market.

CLE:
This course may be used for 1.5 CLE credit hours. Edwards Wildman Palmer is an accredited provider of continuing legal education in the State of New York.

RSVP:
If you are able to join us for the Seminar, please click here. There is no charge for attendance at this seminar. Space is limited.