BUFFALO, NY – Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP announced today Kevin T. Merriman and David M. Knapp have joined the firm as partners. Kevin and David focus their insurance recovery, counseling and litigation practice on assisting clients in resolving complex coverage disputes, securing carrier participation in defense and settlement of claims, and maximizing insurance recoveries.

Kevin T. Merriman, partner and Insurance Recovery, Counseling & Litigation Practice Team leader, counsels corporate and institutional clients in a broad range of risk and insurance issues, providing detailed insurance coverage analyses, and working collaboratively with brokers and insurers to meet clients’ business and insurance objectives. Kevin represents his clients in complex insurance recovery litigation, involving asbestos, pollution, construction, product liability, cyber, and bad-faith claims, among others. Kevin is a graduate of Cornell University and the University at Buffalo School of Law.

David focuses his practice on insurance coverage, insurance counseling, and complex commercial litigation. His experience covers a broad array of coverages, including general liability, excess/umbrella, D&O, pollution, builder’s risk, auto, property, employee dishonesty, professional, tech E&O, and cyber. He counsels clients on insurance coverage issues, performs detailed policy and insurance program reviews, drafts insurance procurement requirements in contracts and subcontracts, and works with insurance brokers to optimize coverage for clients. David is a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo and Brooklyn Law School.

“Advancing the legal and business interests of our clients is always our goal,” said Kevin Cross, managing partner, Lippes Mathias. “Our insurance team helps companies address coverage issues and maximize insurance recoveries. We welcome this additional key service as we strive to be a one-stop shop for our business clients. I’m thrilled Kevin and David have joined the team.”

The Lippes Mathias Insurance Recovery, Counseling & Litigation Practice Team has successfully handled high-stakes insurance coverage litigation and related bankruptcy proceedings, and have represented clients in sophisticated mediations in state and federal courts nationwide. Services include proactive business counseling on contractual risk transfer, claims handling, and insurance program review. 

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