Biography
Mike focuses his practice on complex insurance coverage matters. He provides coverage opinions and handles coverage litigation in state and federal courts. Mike’s practice encompasses insurance coverage analysis and advocacy on matters involving liability claims, construction defect claims, first party property disputes, complex claims, and bad faith. He has handled many construction defect coverage claims where there are competing claims for additional insured status among various contractors. He has provided coverage counsel and representation for commercial, homeowners, and professional liability insurers. These cases frequently involve the depositions of expert witnesses, apportionments of “fault,” and underlying issues that stretch back years.
Mike is also an experienced professional liability and general liability defense litigator who has represented clients in state and federal courts across the country. He has extensive experience defending clients in actions involving insurance broker liability, personal injury, product liability, and trucking accidents. He has been involved in trucking cases across the country.
A native of Hamden, CT, Mike earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law where he graduated with honors. During law school, was a research assistant for Professor Tom Baker and assisted with research for a 50-state survey on liability risks for after-hours use of public school property. Also, while in law school, he also interned for Judge Peter Dorsey of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mike attended Villanova University for his undergraduate degree.
Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters. He is an avid fan of the New York Yankees and Villanova Wildcats. Mike is a runner and has run two marathons. He is an avid traveler and his favorite place to visit is Sicily.
Education
University of Connecticut, School of Law, J.D., 2009
Villanova University, B.A., 2005
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025, Insurance Law
Connecticut Super Lawyers, 2024
Connecticut Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2015-2023
Representative Matters
Represented third party administer in litigation involving reinsurance dispute and claims about improper claims handling.
Represented underinsured motorist carrier in litigation regarding claims for underinsured motorist coverage arising out of accident involving a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Represented an insurer of a subcontractor on a commercial construction project in wrongful death lawsuit where the general contractor was seeking additional insured status.
Represented an insurer of a subcontractor in a coverage action by a general contractor seeking additional insured status for the general contractor for a pending wrongful death lawsuit.
Represented technology company and certain officers and directors in a commercial lawsuit with directors and officer claims.
Represented a commercial general liability insurer during and after appraisal process for claims to multiple commercial properties stemming from a tornado.
Community
Mike is a member of the board of directors and former Chief Legal Counsel of The James P. and Debra Fitzgerald Healy Foundation, Inc.
Presentations
Presenter, “Cyber Claims: Exposures and Adjustments”, PLRB Eastern Regional Conference, October 30-31, 2018;
Co-Presenter, “Bad Faith Considerations in the Coverage Denial,” ExecuSummit, November 2017.
Publications
Co-Author, “Recent Connecticut Supreme Court Decisions Impact on Uninsured Motorist and Surety Laws”, CT Law Tribune, February 16, 2015;
Co-Author, “Mealy’s Litigation Report: Construction Defects Insurance; Construction Defect Claims: A 2017 Update – Part One”, January 2018;
Co-Author, “Mealy’s Litigation Report: Construction Defects Insurance; Construction Defect Claims: A 2017 Update – Part Two”, February 2018