Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

(writing credit optional)

The focus of this seminar is on the insurance coverage concepts and principles that are at issue in the increasing level of significant insurance litigation in the United States and that affect and determine the scope of insurance coverage provided to companies and individuals under standard form and manuscript policies. It includes a review of the basic types of insurance; fundamental insurance construction and interpretive analysis; the influence of minimal regulation and strong public and social policy considerations in the development of United States insurance law; the development of theories of construction apart from the language of policies; recent developments and expected future trends in insurance relating to the London market; environmental, toxic tort, and officers' and directors' coverages; and bad faith and duty of care issues. The course will also focus on providing an understanding of how to effectively counsel clients in recognizing and dealing with insurance issues.

There is a take-home exam, but, at the student's option, a paper may be utilized instead of the exam.