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Achille Alipour focuses his practice on first- and third-party complex insurance coverage matters, representing insurance carriers, third-party administrators and large self-insured businesses throughout New Jersey and New York. He is accomplished in evaluating policy coverage language and establishing litigation strategies that effectuate positive outcomes, remain cost-effective and minimize risk. In addition, Achille has experience handling regulatory matters and bad faith litigation.

Achille is well versed at litigating matters at all stages from initial claim, through to trial and appeal. He regularly appears in state and federal courts in New Jersey and New York.

During law school, Achille was treasurer of the Student Bar Association and received honors from the Rutgers Constitutional Litigation Clinic. He also participated in the International Chamber of Commerce Mediation Team and Nathan Baker Mock Trial Team. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Justine A. Niccolai in the Superior Court of New Jersey

Before joining Chartwell Law, Achille was an associate practicing insurance coverage litigation for a mid-size regional firm in Morristown, New Jersey.

In his free time, he enjoys Persian film and literature, downhill skiing and exploring new innovations in science and technology.

PRACTICE AREAS
Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

ADMISSIONS
New Jersey

New York

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

EDUCATION
Rutgers Law SchoolJ.D., 2015
University of MarylandB.A., 2012

Adam C. Benevides has more than a decade of civil litigation experience representing businesses, professionals, and insurance carriers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  He concentrates his practice on general and professional liability defense, insurance coverage analysis, complex tort litigation, product liability, premises liability, and general business matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Adam was a partner at a midsized Boston firm where he focused on representing design professionals, surveyors, construction managers, property owners, insurers, and other businesses in a variety of litigation and contract matters.

PRACTICE AREAS
Design and Construction Litigation

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Product Liability

Professional Liability

ADMISSIONS
Massachusetts

Rhode Island

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

EDUCATION
Suffolk University Law SchoolJ.D., 2008
University of MassachusettsB.A., cum laude, 2002

Amanda Mitteer Bartley focuses her practice on civil litigation, and primarily workers’ compensation litigation defense, on behalf of insurance companies and employers.

Brian S. Bartley, the managing partner of Chartwell Law’s Fort Myers Workers’ Compensation Department, represents clients throughout Southwest Florida in workers’ compensation and insurance defense matters. Brian has over 25 years of experience in workers’ compensation defense and is rated AV-Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, which indicates a demonstration of the highest professional and ethical standards and is the highest rating a lawyer can receive.

Brittany Atkinson practices workers’ compensation litigation defense in New Jersey. From her Moorestown, New Jersey office, she defends insurance carriers, large self-insured businesses, and third-party administrators in all issues resulting from work-related injuries.

Brittany represents clients hailing from a variety of industries including retail, transportation, insurance, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, among others. Her clients typically have operations that span across large regions or are spread throughout the nation. As a result, Brittany has handled a myriad of cross-jurisdictional worker’s compensation matters affecting businesses with a wide breadth of locations. In addition, she defends clients in cases involving chemical exposure, jurisdictional questions, and employment issues. She has argued such matters up to the New Jersey Supreme Court. In the era of COVID-19, Brittany has advised her clients on the impact the pandemic has had on state workers’ compensation laws and presumption of laws and their businesses as well as what to expect going forward.

Brittany is a published author and experienced presenter. She presented on cross-jurisdictional issues at the 2019 National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her article, “Cross-Jurisdictional Issues That Arise When NJ Residents Work Out of State,” appeared in the October 19, 2019, issue of The Legal Intelligencer. Brittany is a frequent blogger writing on various workers’ compensation matters such as bona fide offers, multi-jurisdictional medical provider claims, reopener cases, and medical marijuana. She has also appeared in several video blogs related to the compensability of work-from-home injuries and the impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey workers’ compensation.

Brittany is committed to obtaining the best possible results for her clients, whether that means settling a minor claim early in litigation to save her clients time and expense or whether it requires pursuing a matter to the New Jersey Supreme Court. She has ensured the closure of hundreds of cases for her clients in the most expeditious and efficient manner while mitigating as much financial exposure as possible.

Prior to joining Chartwell Law, Brittany served as a judicial fellow for the Hon. Karen Shreeves-Johns in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was a law clerk for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Department of Environmental Protection in Trenton, New Jersey.

In her free time, Brittany loves to spend time with her husband and children, either at the beach in summer or skiing and snowboarding during the winter. She also volunteers her time with the American Legion Auxiliary in Gibbsboro, New Jersey.

PRACTICE AREAS
Workers’ Compensation

ADMISSIONS
New Jersey

Pennsylvania

EDUCATION
Widener University School of LawJ.D., cum laude, 2013
Temple UniversityB.A., 2009

Charles J. Barreras is a founding partner at Chatwell Law, where he handles general liability, premises liability, insurance coverage, and employment law matters on behalf of domestic and London-based insurance carriers. Chuck manages all aspects of litigation including strategy development, investigation supervision, preparation and defense at arbitration and trial in both state and federal court.

Chuck was named to the Philadelphia magazine and the Pennsylvania Edition of Super Lawyers® magazine, between 2008-2019. This is a distinction limited to only five percent of attorneys practicing in the state.

When he began attending law school at night, Chuck worked during the day as a SIU investigator with Equifax Insurance Services. During his legal education he later worked as a multi-line claims adjuster for an independent adjusting company, where he handled all aspects of automobile, general liability, property and workers’ compensation claims. This experience enables him to bring practical claims handling experience to the practice of law.

Chuck began his legal career with a Philadelphia area insurance defense firm, where he litigated various automobile, general liability, insurance coverage, medical malpractice, automobile, and workers’ compensation matters. In 1996, he became associated with the Philadelphia firm Weber Goldstein Greenberg & Gallagher, LLP, where he devoted his practice to handling automobile, general liability and workers’ compensation, matters. In 1999, he became the managing partner of Weber Goldstein’s Reading, Pennsylvania office, where he worked until the founding of Chartwell Law in 2002. Since that time, he has helped the firm grow from a four-lawyer workers’ compensation boutique firm with one office in Pennsylvania to an international, full-service law firm with more than 170 attorneys and 20 offices throughout the eastern coast of the United States.

Chuck served honorably for 14 years in the United States Army Reserve, as both an enlisted soldier in an aviation unit and a Commissioned Officer in the Civil Affairs branch. He attained the rank of Captain before entering the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

PRACTICE AREAS
Employment Law

First-Party Property Claims Defense

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Personal Injury Defense

Subrogation

Workers’ Compensation

Cargo, Trucking and Logistics

ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania

New York

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION
Temple University School of LawJ.D., cum laude, 1992
Drexel UniversityB.S., 1987

Chelsea Bishop is a general liability defense attorney representing insurance carriers, third-party associations and self-insured businesses. Her practice focuses on insurance coverage defense, in particular first-party property claims, premises liability and motor vehicle litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Chelsea was paralegal for a Boston firm while finishing law school, where she handled business litigation and commercial law matters.

While in law school, Chelsea was the recipient of the CALI Award for Excellence in Law & the Elderly.

PRACTICE AREAS
First-Party Property Claims Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Motor Vehicle Litigation

Premises Liability

ADMISSIONS
Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

EDUCATION
New England Law / BostonJ.D., 2021
Stonehill CollegeB.A., 2014

Christine M. Berry is committed to the defense of insured and self-insured entities in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation cases. She has handled a variety of cases involving all areas of litigation, including certified nursing assistants, nurses, counselors, mechanics, bus operators, office workers, cashiers, mushroom pickers, landscapers, laborers, and construction workers.

Danielle M. Butler is a practicing insurance defense attorney providing representation to insurance carriers, large self-insured businesses and third-party administrators. She handles various insurance analyses and claims matters. However, a majority of her defense focuses on first-party property claims.

Danielle enthusiastically analyzes her cases and constantly communicates with her clients as she works to develop a defense strategy that includes their desired results.

Prior to joining Chartwell Law, Danielle served the citizens of Southwest Florida for over a decade as an Assistant State Attorney in the 20th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office in Fort Myers. During her time at the State Attorney’s Office, she handled everything from second degree misdemeanors to capital felonies, including taking numerous cases to trial. Most recently, she was a member of the Postconviction Unit handling complex hearings and motions. During her time as a prosecutor, Danielle honed her research, legal drafting, and courtroom skills making her an efficient and effective litigator and a fierce advocate for her clients. Danielle also served as an instructor in the office’s clerical and attorney training programs.

Danielle has been actively involved in the Lee County Bar Association for many years, previoulsy serving as the Bench Bar Gala Chair from 2016-2020.

PRACTICE AREAS
First-Party Property Claims Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

ADMISSIONS
Florida

EDUCATION
University of Florida Levin College of LawJ.D., cum laude, 2010
Boston UniversityB.S., 2005

David A. Brosnihan has experience representing clients in a diverse range of legal matters, including, but not limited to, insurance defense and coverage, commercial litigation, premises liability and defense of retail, large property losses, construction litigation, professional liability, contractor liability, bad faith consumer protection, product liability, transportation liability, general trial and appellate practice, and workers’ compensation. Dave has spent several years defending a wide variety tort claims, first-party property claims, insurance coverage matters, and workers’ compensation disputes on behalf of both insurers and large self-insured corporations in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont.

Dave’s experience is ideal for insurance carriers and self-insured companies that desire singular legal representation and require attention to detail for the multiple New England jurisdictions; each of which has unique legal procedures and rules of court. He helps his clients navigate large exposure situations through aggressive litigation advocacy and representation in dispute resolution.

Dave is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine.

PRACTICE AREAS
Architect, Engineer & Contractor Liability

Bad Faith and Consumer Protection

Commercial Litigation

Construction Litigation and Construction Defect

General Trial & Appellate Practice

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Large Catastrophic “CAT” Loss

Product Liability

Professional Liability

Premises Liability & Defense of Retailers

Trucking, Transportation, and Freight Liability

Workers’ Compensation

Cargo, Trucking and Logistics

Employment Law and Labor Relations

ADMISSIONS
Massachusetts

Connecticut

Maine

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Vermont

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

United States District Court for the District of Connecticut

United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire

United States First Circuit Court of Appeals

EDUCATION
Suffolk University Law SchoolJ.D., 2007
Providence CollegeB.A., magna cum laude, 2004

Douglas K. Burrell is an established and experienced trial attorney. His practice covers a vast number of areas including but not limited to wrongful death and catastrophic injury matters, construction defect litigation, premises liability, product liability and transportation and trucking negligence. His clients come from many industry sectors, including national retailers, manufacturers, businesses in the hospitality and restaurant sector and transportation.

With a seasoned practice spanning over 27 years which includes over 40 jury trials and more than 100 bench trials, Douglas does indeed have his pulse on ever-changing legal trends and insights. This, along with a keen understanding of his client’s goals, drives his defense strategies. Continuous communication with his clients throughout the litigation process ensures he is representing them in the most forthright and cost-effective manner.

In addition to his practice, Douglas is a member of many professional legal organizations. He is an active member of DRI: Lawyers Representing Business serving in many executive roles over the years, culminating in his present position as President. In 2014 and 2015, Douglas held the position of Chair for the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association Trial Mediation Academy; presently, he holds the position of Executive Committee Vice President. Douglas also held a faculty position for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) from 2010-2014, teaching the deposition skills program. He is revered by many colleagues and associates and is often highlighted in legal publications as one of Atlanta’s top lawyers.

Douglas began his legal career in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, practicing civil litigation defense for a mid-size firm. He also served as a prosecutor in the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office for three years before joining a large firm in the greater Atlanta region, where he continued to practice until joining Chatwell Law.

PRACTICE AREAS
Commercial Transportation Litigation

Construction Litigation and Construction Defect

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Rideshare Litigation

ADMISSIONS
Georgia

Iowa

United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia

United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa

United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa

Georgia Court of Appeals

Georgia Supreme Court

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

EDUCATION
The University of Iowa College of LawJ.D., 1994
The University of IowaMBA, 1994
The University of IowaB.A., 1986

Eli J. Brotman focuses his practice on defending employers in workers’ compensation claims. He assists clients in a variety of industries, including health care, landscaping, waste management, construction, agriculture, hospitality, and many others.

Eli is experienced in guiding clients through the defense of on-site injury claims, providing them with early case evaluation and handling the claim through settlement, litigation or mediation.

Prior to joining the firm, Eli focused his practice to the area of workers’ compensation law on the plaintiff side, helping injured workers with their claims for workers’ compensation benefits from inception to litigation before the Judge of Compensation Claims throughout Florida and New Mexico. This background provides an advantage to the employers that he defends as he is familiar with the other side and the arguments that they will present.

During both his undergraduate and law school career, Eli clerked for firms focused on workers’ compensation and personal injury.

PRACTICE AREAS
Workers’ Compensation

Subrogation

ADMISSIONS
Florida

EDUCATION
Florida A&M University College of LawJ.D., 2012
University of Central FloridaB.A., 2007

Elissa M. Boyd focuses her practice on insurance coverage advice and litigation in Oregon, Washington and Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience in complex third-party and first-party insurance analysis and litigation before state and federal courts as well as experience in first chairing defense and insurance coverage litigation. Elissa’s insurance practice spans a wide variety of coverages which includes general commercial liability, environmental liability, homeowners coverage, directors and officers liability, and errors and omissions policies.

As an integral part of Chartwell Law’s Pacific Northwest presence, Elissa focuses on meeting all of her clients’ needs. Elissa has participated in numerous presentations for clients to keep them abreast of the changing legal landscape and has aided in creating client procedures and endorsements.

Prior to joining Chartwell Law, Elissa practiced insurance coverage and commercial litigation for an insurance coverage and defense firm in Portland, Oregon. While in law school, Elissa was an article editor for the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law and interned at both the Legal Aid and YWCA in Omaha, Nebraska, where she focused on helping survivors of domestic violence

PRACTICE AREAS
Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Mediation

General Liability and Casualty Defense

ADMISSIONS
Oregon

Pennsylvania

Washington

United States District Court for the District of Oregon

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

EDUCATION
University of Michigan Law SchoolJ.D., cum laude, 2011
University of MichiganB.A., with honors, 2008

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Elizabeth S. Cavallaro brings more than eighteen years of experience to her Pennsylvania workers’ compensation practice. She is committed to the defense of self-insured entities, insurance carriers and third-party administrators. The scope of her clients includes large box retailers, manufacturing companies, food service industry, custodial services, health care providers, and civil service litigation involving both state and local municipalities.

Elizabeth provides early case assessment to each client and works diligently to guide her clients to the best possible outcome that is cost effective and aligns with her clients’ business and legal objectives. She has crafted her skill to close hundreds of claims within the first six months. Elizabeth understands the importance of quick resolutions before the onset of litigation to avoid unnecessary litigation costs for clients.

She is dedicated to her clients and often going in house and presenting on a variety of educational topics to help minimize risk and exposure. More recently Elizabeth has given presentations to clients via Zoom and Webinars to ensure that the channels of communication and education continue in a safe manner due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining the firm, Elizabeth worked at a full-service Philadelphia law firm, where she made Principal in 2011. While in law school, Elizabeth served as a clerk for Pennsylvania SPRACTICE AREAS
Workers’ Compensation

ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania

New Jersey

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION
Widener University School of LawJ.D., cum laude, 2003
Pennsylvania State UniversityB.A., 1996upreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband and two children when she is not working.

Jennifer Brennan is a seasoned workers’ compensation defense attorney, with experience conducting trials and preparing witnesses and medical experts. She represents employers, third party administrators and insurance companies in various counties in New Jersey.

Lara Ortega Clark is a general liability defense attorney practicing in Georgia. Her practice focuses on transportation matters, including trucking and rideshare litigation. She is also practices in the areas of premises liability, negligent security, personal injury and wrongful death on behalf of businesses, insurance carriers and third-party administrators. Lara has successfully litigated matters in state and federal courts throughout Georgia.

Lara is committed to providing her clients with comprehensive and business-minded legal advice to remain cost-effective and minimize risk. Lara is able to provide aggressive and creative approaches to litigation thanks to her background both as an NCAA Division III Nationals-qualifying swimmer, as well as her work as a freelance professional cellist, including recording a studio album with a Billboard Top 10 artist. As a proud Colombian, Lara is able to converse with Spanish-speaking parties and clients which provides additional benefit to the businesses she represents.

Before joining Chartwell Law, Lara practiced general liability matters for an Atlanta-based law firm.

‍PRACTICE AREAS
General Liability and Casualty Defense

Transportation Litigation

Rideshare Litigation

ADMISSIONS
Georgia

United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia

United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

EDUCATION
University of Georgia School of LawJ.D., 2012
Emory UniversityB.A., 2009

Lori L. Bethea focuses her practice solely on representing the interests of national insurers, large self-insured employers and local, regional, and national employers throughout all stages of workers’ compensation litigation.

Matthew Burrows is a real estate transactional and litigation attorney in New York. His practice focuses on representing both purchasers and sellers in residential and commercial property closings and various complex litigation matters.

Matt handles cases from inception through to the appellate level on various issues such as title actions involving land ownership and property description conflicts, foreclosure cases involving deceleration of loans, statute of limitations issues and bankruptcy proceedings. Matt is also well-versed in mortgage, deed and legal descriptions of parcels of real property.

Prior to joining Chatwell Law, Matt was an attorney with a large international firm in New York where he handled real estate litigation.

Michael J. Alivernini brings 20 years of experience to his general liability practice which he concentrates in the areas of construction defect and accidents, property and casualty claims, premises liability defense and insurance coverage.

Mike’s clients include self-insured companies, domestic insurers, and Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London. Known for his strategic and results-oriented approach to litigation, Mike diligently works to guide his clients to the best possible outcome that is cost-effective and aligns with his client’s business and legal objectives.

Mike has a wealth of experience in defending claims asserted under property and casualty insurance policies. Mike has successfully defended his clients in premises liability, personal injury, and wrongful death claims arising out of premises liability and motor vehicle accidents.

In the construction arena, Mike routinely handles high exposure cases in which he defends construction companies, contractors and subcontractors, real estate developers, architects, engineers, other construction-related professionals, and insurance carriers in construction defect and injury claims. The scope of his capabilities includes handling claims involving both commercial and residential properties involving new construction or renovated properties impacted by design, construction, material, operations, maintenance, and subsurface deficiencies.

A significant portion of Mike’s practice includes insurance coverage in which he focuses on first-party and third-party property coverage defense as well as providing coverage opinions, relating to first- and third-party property claims. Mike also has represented clients in large loss property subrogation matters, in which he negotiated substantial recoveries and participated in numerous jury trials in order to secure favorable jury verdicts.

Rounding out his capabilities, Mike has authored several articles and presented at conferences on strategies for evaluating and resolving claims pre-suit.

Outside of work, Mike can be found spending time with his family and being outdoors as well as on the golf course.

PRACTICE AREAS
General Liability and Casualty Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Commercial Litigation

First-Party Property Claims Defense

Construction Litigation and Construction Defect

Premises Liability Defense

Subrogation

ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Maryland

Washington, D.C.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

EDUCATION
Widener University School of LawJ.D., 2001
Villanova UniversityB.S., 1998

Robert J. Baker focuses his practice on the defense of general employment and workers’ compensation matters. He routinely represents employers in labor and employment matters, including PHRC/EEOC litigation. He has handled a myriad of human resources including hiring, firing, progressive discipline, payroll, compensation and benefits, OSHA/risk management and training and development.

Before joining the firm, Rob was corporate director of human resources for PHI/Presbyterian Homes, Inc., a continuing care retirement community, where he was responsible for employment law compliance, employee relations, workers’ compensation management of insured and self-insured programs and other human resources issues. This experience helps him guide his clients through any issues that might arise, having handled them first hand in his clients position himself.

Some of Rob’s significant accomplishments include the coordination of WARN, reductions in force, successful OSHA investigations resulting in zero deficiencies, management of transition of multiple employee benefits programs from insured to self-insured status, management of welfare and retirement plan documents and summary plan descriptions, and discontinuing retirement plans with the implementation of replacement programs. He has also handled matters before the PHRC and EEOC.

Rob is a frequent writer and lecturer with respect to all aspects of employment law. He is a course planner/presenter for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, and routinely presents at the Pennsylvania Business Workers Compensation Conference as well as the Pennsylvania Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference.

PRACTICE AREAS
Employment Law and Labor Relations

Workers’ Compensation

Medical Marijuana

Premises Liability

ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania

Virginia

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Supreme Court of Virginia

US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION
Widener University School of LawJ.D., 2005
Indiana University of PennsylvaniaM.A., 1999
Indiana University of PennsylvaniaB.A., magna cum laude, 1997

Sean W. Carney is an accomplished insurance attorney. Sean has handled hundreds of insurance coverage disputes over nearly 20 years arising under general liability, professional liability, D&O/E&O, fiduciary liability, pollution, homeowners, auto, and other personal lines policies. This includes litigation and appeals in jurisdictions throughout the United States but focused on Oregon and Washington. He is also experienced litigating lost policy disputes and environmental coverage matters arising under pre-1986 general liability policies and Superfund and state equivalent disputes.

Having represented both policyholders and insurers for many years, Sean is uniquely poised to represent insurance carriers and third-party administrators. His knowledge and experience handling plaintiff strategies aid in his ability to facilitate efficient and cost-effective results on behalf of his clients. Some of his representative matters include the following:

Represented primary insurer in declaratory judgment action and related mediation of underlying wrongful death and personal injury actions arising from the collapse of a multi-ton swing stage from the 30th floor of the John Hancock Center in Chicago. In re Hancock Scaffolding Litigation, Court No.: 2002-L004374, 05 CH 07874, Circuit Court Cook County, Illinois.
Represented primary insurer in a multi-party declaratory judgment action to determine coverage obligations with respect to landfill closure and cleanup under Washington’s Model Toxics Control Act. Intalco Aluminum Corporation v. Central National Indemnity Co of Omaha, et. al, Court No.: 06 2 01842 3, Whatcom County Superior Court (WA).
Represented primary and excess insurers in multiple jurisdictions regarding coverage disputes over an insured’s underlying CERCLA or state-equivalent liability for environmental response costs. E.g., Bank of America v. Travelers Indem. Co., 9th Circuit Case No: C07-0322RSL, Century Indem. Co. v. Marine Group, LLC, 9th Circuit Case No. 08-1375-AC, In re Clean Care Superfund Site, In re Port of Seattle, In re Port of St. Helens, In re Port of Longview.
Provided coverage analysis regarding insurer’s alleged exposure arising from the murder/suicide of the City of Tacoma Chief of Police and his wife. Estate of Crystal Brame v. City of Tacoma, et. al, Case No. 04-2-00712-7KNT, Superior Court, King County, (WA).
Represented public policyholder in multi-million-dollar six-year duty to defend litigation against multiple insurers regarding the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. State v. Pac. Indem. Co., Multnomah County, Case No. 15CV29585.
Represented policyholders in stock drop, ESOP, employer liability, and wrongful termination disputes under D&O, E&O and EPL policies. E.g., Travelers Casualty and Surety Company v. Jeld-Wen Holding, Inc. et al, Western Dist. Of North Carolina case no. 3:21cv173, Dooley v. Saxon, et. al. (D. Or. Case No. 12-cv-1207), Jimmerson v. Jeld Wen Inc. Employee Stock Ownership and Retirement Plan (D. Or. Case No. 13-cv-177) and Woerner v. Saxon (D. Or. Case No. 13-cv-395); In re Set Management.
Provided amicus brief to Oregon Court of Appeals on novel issue of Oregon duty to indemnify regarding “all sums” dispute. FountainCourt Homeowners’ Ass’n v. FountainCourt Dev., LLC, Court of Appeals Case No. A147420.
Represented policyholder in construction defect dispute regarding use of extrinsic evidence in duty to defend disputes. Alkemade v. Quanta Indem. Co., United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 6:12-cv-00844-MC, Ninth Circuit Case No. 14-35605.
Represented state environmental regulator in dispute regarding potential violations of 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 264.147(a) regarding adequate financial assurance for its permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities. In re Safety-Kleen Systems, OAH CASE NO. 2021-ABC-04375.
In his free time, Sean enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and loves riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, as weather permits, or working to restore a classic corvette. He is also a runner and has participated several times in the Hood to Coast 200-mile relay.

PRACTICE AREAS
Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Bad Faith

First-Party Property Claims Defense

Third Party Claims Defense

ADMISSIONS
Oregon

Washington

United States District Court for the District of Oregon

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth District

EDUCATION
DePaul University College of LawJ.D., magna cum laude
Linfield CollegeB.A., magna cum laude

Shannon M. Arsenault is a seasoned litigator who defends insureds in workers’ compensation and general liability matters including personal injury and premises liability. She is experienced in handling all stages of litigation and skillfully determines strengths and weaknesses in her cases, allowing her to develop a clear strategy that moves toward the goal of successful resolution on behalf of her clients.

Shannon also has a strong background in consumer finance litigation. She has represented mortgage servicers in actions including foreclosure, quiet title, and Fair Debt Collection Practice Act claims. She was trial counsel in the matter of Brindise v. U.S. Bank, N.A, successfully defending U.S. Bank in the first Florida case to hold that Fla. Stat. 559.715 is not a condition precedent to a mortgage foreclosure action.

Before law school, Shannon was a high school math teacher. She also has her M.A. in Education Policy which enables her to understand and appreciate the needs of educational institutions.

PRACTICE AREAS
Workers’ Compensation

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Premises Liability

Creditor’s Rights

ADMISSIONS
Florida

EDUCATION
St. Thomas University School of LawJ.D., cum laude, 2007
Florida State UniversityB.S., 2000
The George Washington UniversityM.A., 2010

Shayan Nowroozpour brings over 20 years of experience representing and defending businesses, large self-insured organizations, insurance carriers, and employers in various general liability and casualty defense matters, workers’ compensation claims, and employment law and workplace-related issues.

He is the principal attorney, an experienced trial lawyer, represents clients in federal and state courts across Tennessee and the southeastern United States.

Shayan has a multifaceted practice that includes many areas of litigation. In the area of general liability and casualty defense, he defends clients in professional negligence claims revolving around E&O liability, legal malpractice, and title company liability. He is also accomplished in counseling secondary education institutions including various colleges and universities in risk management policies and procedures pertaining to general liability matters, specifically regarding sexual misconduct and Title IX litigation. In the area of tort litigation, Shayan’s work includes automobile liability claims, contractor liability on large scale highway construction projects, contractor liability in residential construction, home inspectors’ liability in mold cases, medical device product liability for manufacturers and distributors, and product liability for large chain distribution centers.

Rounding out his capabilities is Shayan’s efforts to protect the interests of his clients by counseling them on the adoption of best practices and risk management, in order to avoid the hazards and expense of litigation when possible. He is also a frequent lecturer and national presenter on risk management-related topics.

An active member of his community, Barret is involved with several associations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga, Hope’s Haven, Leadership Chattanooga, and Brock-Cooper American Inns of Court.

PRACTICE AREAS
General Liability and Casualty Defense

Commercial Litigation

Employment Law and Labor Relations

Construction Litigation and Construction Defect

Professional Liability

Product Liability

Subrogation

Tort Liability

Workers’ Compensation

ADMISSIONS
Georgia

Tennessee

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee

United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

EDUCATION
Mercer University, Walter F. George School of LawJ.D., 1998
Middle Tennessee State UniversityB.S., 1995, cum laude

Yoanna Blanco is an insurance converage analyisis and litigation attorney. Her practice focuses on first-party property claims assisting insurance carriers and third-party administrators in defense of various claims such as windstorms and hurricanes.

In addition, Yoanna is experienced handling general liability litigation involving various matters including motor vehicle negligence, premises liability and medical malpractice.

Prior to joining Chartwell Law, Yoanna was an associate at a Tampa law firm where she handled insurance defense litigation.

While in law school, Yoanna was awarded the Fredic G. Levin Ethos of Excellence Scholarship and served as a senior editor for the Florida Journal of International Law and as a research assistant for Professor Kenneth B. Nunn. She was president of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and a member of the Latino Law Student Association and Cuban American Bar Association. Yoanna also externed for the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office and the Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Florida. While an undergraduate, Yoanna interned for the Honorable Miguel M. de la O of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami.

PRACTICE AREAS
First-Party Property Claims Defense

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Motor Vehicle Liability

Premises Liability

Medical Malpractice