Scott M. Seaman is a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in its Chicago office and serves as co-chair of the firm's global Insurance Services Practice Group. He has a national practice representing companies in complex commercial law and litigation matters, with a special emphasis on insurance and reinsurance trials, appeals, meditations, and arbitrations. Scott has had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and talented senior management, legal counsel, and insurance and reinsurance professionals in the world and of serving as counsel in matters involving some of the most challenging contemporary coverage and reinsurance issues confronting the industry. Previously, he served as chairman of Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson LLP's national insurance coverage litigation and counseling practice group. He began his legal career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and was part of its national product liability and insurance group.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION
For nearly three decades, Scott has successfully represented insurance and reinsurance companies in trial courts, appellate courts, and arbitrations across the country in a variety of high stakes matters, including cases and cessions 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.
Scott has served as national coverage counsel as well as trial and appellate counsel. His advice has been sought on emerging coverage issues and a wide-range of case specific and portfolio issues. He has drafted contract language, trained insurance and reinsurance professionals, and assisted companies in evaluating and resolving issues in the claims and cession stages.
He also has handled a variety of international, professional liability, tort and product liability, and business and commercial cases.
According to Chambers (2016), "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.'"
Chambers (2015) says: "'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.'"
Chambers USA (2014) notes: "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."
Chambers USA (2013) adds: "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."
According to Chambers USA (2012): "[d]epartment 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."
Chambers USA (2011) says: “Scott Seaman is an eminent coverage lawyer with extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance, and besides practicing he writes prolifically on both topics.”
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Illinois
United States Supreme Court
United States Courts of Appeals (Seventh and Tenth Circuits)
United States District Courts (Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, and Northern District of Florida)
Admitted pro hac vice in numerous matters
HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS
Best Lawyers (since 2010)
Martindale & Hubbell – AV Preeminent rating (5.0/5.0) (since 1997)
Chambers USA (since 2009)
Illinois Super Lawyers (since 2005)
Leading Lawyers (since 2009)
America’s Most Honored Professionals
ICFM Leading Lawyers 500 (top 500 lawyers in the world)
International Who’s Who of Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers
Scott is a fellow of the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel.
LEGAL EDUCATION
Scott received his J.D. magna cum laude from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, where he graduated first in his law school class and served as a law journal editor.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Scott is a frequent speaker on insurance, reinsurance, business law, and litigation issues. He has Chaired and Co-Chaired conferences and has presented before and on behalf of various organizations, including: the American Bar Association; the Defense Research Institute; the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education; ARIAS US; the Claims Litigation Management Alliance, the American Conference Institute; the Illinois State Bar Association; the American Conference Institute; the Chicago Bar Association; Bermuda Bar Association; PLRB/LIRB; Lorman Education Services; Strafford; Perrin; and West Legalworks.
He has been quoted in publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal, to Crain's Chicago Business, to Law360. His extensive writings on substantive legal issues, insurance and reinsurance topics, and litigation practice matters have been recognized by parties and commentators and have been cited by the highest courts in Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, 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 (5th Ed. Thomson Reuters 2016-2017), addresses many of the important issues driving contemporary insurance claims and coverage litigation and reinsurance cessions and arbitrations. Among his extensive writings, are Pertinent Reinsurance Contract Provisions” Reinsurance Professional’s Deskbook—A Practical Guide (2015-2016 Ed. Thomson Reuters) and Wrongful Death and Survival Actions (5th Ed. IICLE 2014) (General Editor and Contributing Author Chapters 1, 2, 5, and 7).
He hosts Hinshaw Insurance Law Radio on the Blog Talk Radio Network.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
National Board of Selector, the Jefferson Awards for Public Service and Co-Chair of Jefferson Awards Chicago. The Jefferson Awards was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard to create a "Nobel Prize" for public and community service. Jefferson Awards are presented on a national basis and local level. In addition to nominating, evaluating, and voting on Nobel Prize candidates, Scott has been part of the delegation to present reports to the White House and U.S. Senate on the state of volunteering in America. He also
