Insurance Law Litigation - Insurance
Scott M. Seaman
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Scott Seaman
Scott is a commercial litigator and trial and appellate lawyer with more than 37 years of experience. Scott is widely regarded as one of the leading attorneys in the United States representing insurers and reinsurers in property and casualty matters. He is known for employing his deep knowledge of the law and insurance and financial industries, strategic thinking, and honed trial and appellate advocacy to produce creative solutions and outstanding results for clients on a cost-effective basis. Clients regularly turn to Scott and his team for counsel and representation in challenging and high-stakes matters.
Overview of Practice
Scott has a long track record of successfully representing companies before trial courts, appellate courts, and arbitration panels across the country in a variety of cases and matters involving general liability coverage (primary, umbrella, and excess), professional liability coverage, first-party property coverage, bad faith and extra-contractual matters, fee disputes, and facultative and treaty reinsurance contracts. He has served as national coverage counsel as well as trial and appellate counsel.
He also advises and represents companies on cyber, data breach, IoT, nanotechnology, gig economy, viruses and pandemics, representations and warranties and transactional insurance, social unrest, climate change, and other emerging issues, as well as a wide-range of case-specific and portfolio issues. Scott also has handled a variety of challenging international, professional liability, health/life science, director and officer liability, tort and product liability, and business and commercial cases.
Scott has served as an arbitrator and has been retained as an expert witness on insurance issues. He has drafted contract language, trained insurance and reinsurance professionals, assisted companies in evaluating and resolving issues in the claims stage and in designing insurance programs.
Practice Group & Industry Leadership
Scott is co-chair of Hinshaw's global Insurance Services Practice Group, Insurance Industry leader, and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. He has had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and talented senior management, legal counsel, and insurance and reinsurance claims and litigation professionals in the world and of serving as counsel in precedent-setting cases involving some of the most challenging contemporary coverage and reinsurance issues confronting the insurance industry.
Scott was named to the inaugural list of Midwest Trailblazers by The American Lawyer magazine. The list recognizes 50 professionals from 12 Midwestern states "who have moved the needle in the legal industry" and "are truly agents of change." He was selected for his "high-profile, complex insurance coverage cases nationwide, which resulted in precedent setting rulings that have altered insurance law."
Scott is featured in Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law, 2024 and Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Litigator & Trial Attorney 2025.
He is a founding fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and Litigation Counsel of America.
Scott has earned a Band 1 Ranking by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. According to market comments:
In ranking Seaman, Chambers USA states: "Scott Seaman is client-centric and responsive. He is a knowledge leader and is a standout in terms of coverage. He is technical and exceptionally good with c-suite level people." (2025).
Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes: "Scott is a wonderful, insightful, and kind individual who is a pleasure to work with." (2024).
"[He] receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes." One client raved, "Scott is a great lawyer that does a wonderful job in defending any matter." According to another source, "Scott is a superb reinsurance and insurance coverage lawyer and is among a small group of the most knowledgeable in the industry." Another client described Scott as "a thought leader." (2023)
"Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. 'Scott brings a unique level of energy, insight, creative problem solving, and a genuine focus on the client experience.'" (2022)
"Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. 'He is very knowledgeable and greatly sought after by insurers.'" (2021)
"Scott Seaman is described by market sources as a 'real intellectual,' Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, and product liability disputes. Clients appreciate his 'ability to get to the heart of the issues and come up with creative ways to resolve a case.'" (2020)
"Scott Seaman co-chairs the firm's insurance department and is lauded for his experience in a variety of coverage disputes. His areas of expertise include toxic tort and environmental matters. Market sources report: 'He is very proactive, extremely intelligent and results-oriented.'" (2019)
"Scott Seaman is widely acknowledged for his knowledge across the insurance market, regularly handling complex coverage disputes. One client lauds, 'Scott's expertise is unsurpassed. His ability to present complex issues in a concise and easy-to-understand manner is astounding.'" (2018)
"Scott Seaman highly regarded in the market for his in-depth insurance expertise and is described as both 'extremely gifted' and 'a great attorney.' He is frequently called on to assist with allocation, professional liability and construction defect issues as well as other insurance disputes." (2017)
"Scott Seaman has the 'uncanny ability to make the complex understandable,' according to commentators, who point to his superb knowledge in the insurance space. He is highly respected for his robust insurance and reinsurance litigation practice, with sources particularly highlighting that 'he's the expert when it comes to excess and umbrella policies.'" (2016)
"'Superior trial lawyer' Scott Seaman is experienced in all forms of insurance dispute. According to clients, 'he is a straight shooter who is experienced and knows the issues. We like the results that he gets us.'" (2015)
"Scott Seaman is well respected for his longtime experience as a litigator, and he has notable expertise in complex insurance and reinsurance coverage cases. He is also an expert in bad faith insurance matters. Sources describe him as a 'terrific lawyer' and as someone who has the respect of the market." (2014)
"Scott Seaman is respected for his expertise in bad faith and reinsurance matters as well as complex insurance coverage cases. He has recently been involved in a series of significant litigation matters and reinsurance arbitrations." (2013)
"Department head Scott Seaman has a fine reputation among clients and peers alike as 'a leading expert in complex insurance coverage issues.' He splits his practice between coverage litigation and reinsurance arbitration work, and earns particular praise from clients for his expertise in asbestos and environmental coverage issues." (2012)
"Scott Seaman is an eminent coverage lawyer with extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance, and besides practicing he writes prolifically on both topics." (2011)
"Scott Seaman is praised for his specialized experience in complex insurance and reinsurance matters." (2010).
Professional & Educational Background
Prior to joining Hinshaw, Scott was a partner in a litigation firm headquartered in Chicago, where he served as chairman of that firm's national insurance coverage litigation and counseling practice. He began his legal career at the international firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom and was a member of its litigation and products liability and insurance coverage practice group.
Scott graduated first in his law school class. He was a law journal editor and a recipient of the Illinois Lawyers Auxiliary Scholarship, the Loyola Leadership and Service Award, the Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Award, the Judge John C. Hayes Award, the Thomas L. Owens Award, and the Judge John V. McCormack Award.
Publications & Presentations
Scott is a prolific author and widely sought after speaker on substantive legal issues as well as on litigation practice matters. His writings have been cited by the highest courts in Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, Wisconsin and West Virginia and by other state and federal appellate and trial courts across the country.
His treatise, Allocation of Losses in Complex Insurance Claims (13th Ed Thomson Reuters 2025), addresses many of the important issues driving contemporary insurance claims and coverage litigation and reinsurance cessions and arbitrations.
Scott earned the JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, Top Author in Insurance in 2021 – 2025.
Overview
- English
- Loyola University Chicago, JD
- Illinois, Illinois
- American Bar Foundation - Fellow
- American College of Coverage Counsel - Fellow
- Litigation Counsel of America - Felllow
- Professional Liability Underwriting Society - Member
- American Bar Association - Co Chair Litigation Section - Business Interuption Insurance Subcommittee; Past Vice Chair Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- ARIAS US - Member
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance - Co-Chair Reinsurance/Run-Off Advisory Board
- Defense Research Institute - Alternative Disute Resolution Committee, Insurance Committee, Commercial Litigation Committee, International Law Committee, Climate Change Litigation Task Force, Business Torts SLG
- Jefferson Awards for Public Service (Nobel Prize for Public and Community Service) - National Board of Selectors, Co-Chair Jefferson Awards Chicago
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for Northern District of Florida
- English
- Illinois, Illinois
- American Bar Foundation - Fellow
- American College of Coverage Counsel - Fellow
- Litigation Counsel of America - Felllow
- Professional Liability Underwriting Society - Member
- American Bar Association - Co Chair Litigation Section - Business Interuption Insurance Subcommittee; Past Vice Chair Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- ARIAS US - Member
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance - Co-Chair Reinsurance/Run-Off Advisory Board
- Defense Research Institute - Alternative Disute Resolution Committee, Insurance Committee, Commercial Litigation Committee, International Law Committee, Climate Change Litigation Task Force, Business Torts SLG
- Jefferson Awards for Public Service (Nobel Prize for Public and Community Service) - National Board of Selectors, Co-Chair Jefferson Awards Chicago
- Loyola University Chicago, JD
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for Northern District of Florida
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Insurance Law
- Litigation - Insurance
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Commercial Litigation
Special Focus:
- Litigation
- Reinsurance
Awards:
Illinois Super Lawyers (2005 – 2026)
Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Litigator & Trial Attorney 2025
Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law, 2024
Band I Ranking in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Illinois, Insurance Dispute Resolution (2010 – present)
JD Supra Reader Choice Awards Top Author In Insurance (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024)
- 2013–2016 Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois, Corporate Int'l Magazine
- Top Tier in Commercial Litigation - Illinois 2015 (Corporate LiveWire)
- 2015 Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois (Global Law Expert Practice Awards)
- 2014 and 2015 Leading Lawyers 500 (ICFM)
- 2014 Litigation Lawyer of the Year – USA (Finance Monthly Law Awards)
- Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois – 2014 (Global Law Experts Practice Awards)
- Loyola Leadership and Service Award
- Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Award
- Judge John C Hayes Award
- Thomas L. Owens Award
- Judge John V. McCormack Award
- Lymphoma Research Foundation Inaugural Tribute Award Recipient
- 2012 and 2013 Lawyers World Leading Lawyer Award (North America Insurance and Reinsurance)
- InterContinental Finance Magazine Continent Awards Insurance & Reinsurance Litigator of 2013 – North America
- 2014 Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois (Corporate Int’l Magazine)
Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating, 1999 – present
Leading Lawyers, Commercial Litigation and Insurance; Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law, 2009 – present
Euromoney Legal Media Group, Expert Guides: World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers, 2018 – present
Lexology, International “Lexology Index,” Insurance & Reinsurance, Recommended, 2014 – present; Thought Leaders – USA – Insurance & Reinsurance, 2019 – present
CEO Monthly, Chairperson Awards, Insurance & Business Lawyer of the Year, 2024
- Midwest Trailblazer, The American Lawyer, 2021
- 2022 International Advisory Award Insurance – Illinois
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Q&A
Our practice is unique because our world-class clients (mostly insurers, reinsurers, and businesses) entrust us with some of their most important matters, including high stakes litigation, precedent setting cases, matters impacting their portfolio interests, and claims that are challenging for a variety of reasons - it could be a difficult adversary or a dispute with a company with whom our client has or wishes to have an ongoing relationship, it might be a large amount in controversy or unique issues or facts, or it could involve a challenging jurisdiction or arena. Our practice encompasses a broad range of subject matters, claim types, lines of coverage, and commercial disputes and this keeps our practice fresh, fun, relevant, and interesting. We have to know all of the things inside the "lawyer's brief case tool box," but often are challenged to think out side the box to come up with creative strategies and solutions.
Most of our clients are very sophisticated. They know the law and expect you to be at the forefront of procedural and substantive law in the matters you are retained. You do not score points for merely being a good lawyer.
Client's want to know the value of the case or matter (prompt evaluation), how it can be resolved in an optimal and timely manner (resolution strategy), the impact on their overall business interests, and what you need from them and when you need it. We provide them with full and candid responses to their questions and make sure that we provide an appropriate amount of optimism as well as reality.
Clients appreciate our reaching out to them providing information, identifying issues, and suggesting strategies before they are hit with claims and lawsuits. Looking out for them is what makes you their go to lawyers.
Providing clients with a prompt and accurate evaluation of the case or matter has always been valued, but is especially important in these times of social inflation, economic inflation, nuclear and thermo-nuclear verdicts and court rulings.
Clients expect clear recommendations. You have to explain the risks, rewards, and trade-offs, and outline the options, but clients need an action plan or plan forward.
What separates the top tier of lawyers, however, is the ability to come up with a sound strategy, a creative solution, and have an understanding of the pressure points available for resolving a matter. Depending upon the matter, it could be a point of law or development of particular facts. Sometimes, the leverage point may be something extrinsic to the particular dispute or litigation. Knowing the issues confronting your adversaries and the opportunities and vulnerabilities confronting them may provide the opportunity for favorable resolution for your client.
Similarly, knowing your client and its business provides the opportunity to impart advice that is useful to it with respect to the particular matter or its business in general. Clients expect their lawyers to "look out" for them and appreciate it when you add value to their business interests by advising of opportunities and preventing legal issues from arising.
Although it sounds mundane, meeting client expectations regarding the type and frequency of reporting and updating as well as realistic budgeting and planning are essential. You have to make your clients look good.
The first couple of memorable moments that come to mind are things I must keep confidential. I have many war stories, but time has taught me that war stories are mostly of interest only to the lawyers telling them.
Most of us become lawyers because we love the law and the practice of law. I always have and still do. Difficult issues, sharp adversaries (some in the sense of being capable and others in the sense of employing unnecessary gamesmanship that increases the costs of litigation), and chartering a course to victory have always been a part of the lives of litigators. These are the challenges you bargain for when deciding to be a trial lawyer.
For those of us involved in law firm management and even for lawyers who are not, increasing time and attention must now be devoted to the business of law. It may not be what we love doing, but we must do it well to provide our clients with the services and value they require.
We must deliver cost-effective representation to our clients. I have always focused on this and fully support efforts aimed at avoiding abuses. Representing insurers and companies, I have always litigated from the position of representing parties perceived as having deep pockets.
When I first began practicing, companies understood the importance of retaining outstanding lawyers and making the appropriate investment in preparing cases for trial or disposition. In that sense, they often enjoyed some leverage in settlement negotiations to counter-balance the resourcefulness of the plaintiffs' bar. In most respects, insurers and corporate policyholders are the victims of social inflation. However, a myopic focus on reducing legal spend has given away this leverage and has been a contributing factor to social inflation. With the plaintiffs' bar spending more than $1.5 billion a year on advertising to recruit plaintiffs and influence future jurors, litigation funding, reptilian tactics, and nuclear and thermo-nuclear awards, insurers and defendants must change their thinking, strategy, and the way they go about their litigation business.
Generally, clients are very receptive to my advice, but sometimes you have to tell them or convince them of things they prefer not to hear. We are advocates in representing our clients to the outside world, but we also are counselors to our clients and must provide them with our best advice.
I have had the opportunity and privilege of learning from and working with some of the most brilliant, strategic, and otherwise amazing lawyers. Many were mentors who deliberately taught or influenced me. Some unwittingly taught me skills I acquired through osmosis. Having worked with lawyers with different approaches, techniques, strategies, and skills, I was fortunate to be exposed to a lot of great lawyering. I borrowed some skills and approaches that worked for me, adjusted others to fit me, and admired but took a pass on those that did not suit me well.
I also have been inspired by so many of the wonderful executives and lawyer who have retained me. These days representing companies in complex matters involves a collaborative process that employs in-house and out-house lawyers and executives working together and I find it to be exhilarating.
I have several interests outside the practice of law. Sports is one of them, I love the thrill of victory, but hate the agony of defeat. Public service, civil advocacy, patient advocacy and curing cancer also are passions. Though most of my writings and presentations are focused on legal topics, I sometimes veer into economic, business, social, medical, and other subjects.
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