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This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to potential impacts of COVID-19, full and fair review of the claim file, an attempt to use an insurer’s internal policy against itself, and a “second bite at the apple” by amending a complaint for denial of benefits to include a claim for breach of...

This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to discovery in ERISA benefits cases, an appellate court strictly interpreting ERISA regulatory deadlines, a district court authorizing an ERISA breach of fiduciary duty claim based on alleged misrepresentations from an employer, another district court...

This month’s Friday Five explores recent decisions that illustrate the importance of the administrative record built by a claims administrator, and the impact that the depth and thoroughness of the record will have on litigation over claims decisions. Whether reviewing claims under the de novo...

This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to augmentation of the administrative record following new rationales, attempted alternative ERISA causes of action, untimely ERISA claims, plans governed by ERISA even in the absence of a written plan document, and the limited weight given to residual...

This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to the interpretation of time periods for claims under life insurance and disability plans, a situation where three separate administrators handled a disability benefits claim (but came to different decisions), the Eleventh Circuit’s parsing of...

This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to interpretation of ambiguous policy terms, evaluation of claimant’s expert witness, inclusion of law firms as appropriate parties from whom plan administrators may seek equitable relief, transfer of cases from the claimant’s choice of venue, and...

This month’s Friday Five addresses cases considering: (1) whether monetary relief in the amount of lost benefits is an available remedy for breach of fiduciary duty; (2) the validity of an ex-spouse’s beneficiary designation that contradicts a subsequent divorce decree; (3) if waiver of a pre...

See Eidelman on Page 11

This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to interpretation of regulatory deadlines, the enforceability of discretionary clauses, circuit courts going both ways on appeals from summary judgment rulings in favor of plans, and a benefits award for a former professional football player where the...

Pia Aklian is a corporate and transactional attorney who advises clients ranging from emerging businesses to multinational, public companies across various industries including technology, software, manufacturing, life sciences and health care. Pia advises clients on a broad range of matters that...

Zachary Berk focuses his practice on complex civil litigation matters, with concentrations in business and real estate litigation. His experience also includes representing clients in consumer financial services, intellectual property, employment and trade secret related matters. Zach regularly...

Patrick Rodriguez's practice focuses on business and tax planning law. A certified public accountant, Patrick is experienced in representing clients in mergers and acquisition. He represents both buyers and sellers in a broad range of transactions, which encompasses stock purchases and asset sales...

Steven Ziven, who is the firm's Los Angeles Office Managing Partner and an Executive Committee member, advises clients primarily on corporate law and legal issues associated with business transactions, real estate transactions and financings. He has extensive experience in buying and selling...

Jim Gkonos focuses his practice of almost 40 years on insurance and reinsurance regulatory matters, contract and treaty interpretation and reinsurance disputes. As a former division general counsel of a large domestic property and casualty carrier, Jim has significant experience with the regulatory...

Erin Westbrook assists clients in the food, beverage, agribusiness and cannabis industries with matters involving their intellectual property and business disputes. Her experience includes counseling and litigation involving trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets and contracts, and she...

Richard Leigh is a business lawyer who concentrates his practice on complex commercial transactions. Richard works closely with clients and their management teams to draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including contracts for purchase and sale of goods, distribution and supply...

Nancy Burke handles emerging, cutting-edge environmental issues for clients, using her experience to help them tackle these new challenges. She knows how to navigate the quagmire of environmental and safety regulations for client development projects, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate...

Erik Kantz focuses his practice on middle-market businesses and emerging companies. Having served in both the business and litigation groups of the Firm, Erik takes a business approach to the practice of law, helping clients design and implement strategies and organizational structures that promote...

Saul Ewing attorneys provide legal opinions in connection with complex business, financing and real estate transactions involving corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), statutory and business trusts, and nonprofits. We...

Amy Kline is a commercial litigator whose practice is focused on the representation of insurers and reinsurers in complex civil litigation. She is co-chair of the firm's Insurance Group and a member of the Executive Committee. Amy has extensive trial and appellate experience in federal and state...