Hunton Insurance Recovery Blog

If recent years have taught insurance practitioners anything, it is that the most consequential coverage disputes rarely turn on novelty alone. In 2025, courts continued to resolve high‑stakes insurance disputes by returning to first principles—examining when claims are related, how losses and occurrences are defined and aggregated, and how policy language allocates risk across time and conduct. D&O coverage and other core insurance law issues again occupied center stage, while decisions in property, cyber, and liability disputes reinforced a familiar theme: policy interpretation remains the decisive factor in determining whether coverage is available in an increasingly complex claims environment. As the decisions discussed below demonstrate, 2025 confirmed that even as risks evolve, coverage disputes remain grounded in careful, policy‑specific analysis.

Benchmark Litigation has recognized the following members of Hunton’s insurance coverage team as Litigation Stars: practice head Syed S. Ahmad, partner Walter J. Andrews, and special counsel Lorelie (Lorie) S. Masters. Benchmark’s Litigation Star recognizes individuals who possess a strong case record and are consistently recommended by clients and peers as reputable and effective litigators.

In addition, Benchmark named partner Geoffrey Fehling on its Future Stars list, which recognizes individuals who are consistently referenced by peers and clients as litigators who are building their reputations in the market.

Still feeling the love from Valentine’s Day, this 2024 Year in Review highlights the most swoon-worthy coverage decisions of 2024 and offers a glimpse of the future of insurance coverage litigation in 2025 and beyond.

In 2024, D&O coverage and core insurance law principles were the true heartthrobs of the year, while rulings on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues showed that insurance disputes can arise in any situation. But the real cupid’s arrow? Policy interpretation—still the key to unlocking these cases. As we reflect on the year, this edition of our Year in Review highlights the most love-worthy coverage decisions of 2024 and examines the evolving landscape of insurance coverage litigation heading into 2025.

Benchmark Litigation has named insurance coverage partners Andrea DeField and Geoffrey Fehling to the publication’s 40 & Under List. Benchmark Litigation is the definitive guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys. The 40 & Under List honors the most notable up-and-coming litigation attorneys in the United States. Those named to the list have proven their eligibility as individuals at the partner level of their respective firms who are 40 years of age or younger.