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What's New
On July 1, 2010, Harman Claytor announced that Julie Palmer made partner and that Russell Kruse has joined the firm as our newest associate. Congratulations to Julie and a big welcome to Russell. Chinese Drywall: No Coverage Under Homeowners Policy. In the first case of its kind, Judge Doumar of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia rejected a claim that coverage was afforded under a homeowners policy for losses associated with Chinese drywall. TRAVCO v. Ward, ___ F. Supp. 2d ___, 2010 WL 2222255 (E.D. Va. 2010). Judge Doumar’s opinion is relatively extensive and detailed. The extent to which it will influence other courts remains to be seen but it will at least provide counsel for insurers with a useful framework for opposing first-party claims for coverage based on damage caused by Chinese drywall. Read more . . . Duty to Defend: Virginia Supreme Court Rejects Strict Eight Corners Approach. The general rule under Virginia law is that an insurer's duty to defend arises when the complaint alleges facts and circumstances, some of which, if proved, fall within the risk covered by the Policy, Courts have often described this as an "eight corners" rule, which confines the inquiry concerning duty to defend to the policy language and the allegations of the complaint; evidence outside the eight corners of these documents may not be considered. The Supreme Court of Virginia . . . Read more. Supreme Court allows late filing based on defendants knowledge . . . Read more. Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman is pleased to announce that, on April 15, 2010, the Virginia Supreme Court rendered a decision regarding the question of whether a police officer and a suspect were "using" their motor vehicles for purposes of automobile insurance coverage. Read more . . . Virginia UIM Insurers Obligated to Assume Cost of Defense - A statutory amendment that will take effect on July 1, 2010, will impose a new and potentially substantial burden on insurers that provide underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage especially in cases where liability is clear and the damages exceed the limit of underlying liability coverage. Read more . . . Three Harman Claytor attorneys have been recognized in the December 2009 issue of Virginia Business as Legal Elite:
Harman Claytor congratulates Danielle Giroux and John Owen on being newly elected (October 2009) to the positions of Richmond National Delegate and Board of Directors, respectively, of the Federal Bar Association's Richmond Chapter. Harman Claytor was the title sponsor for the Richmond Strikers Annual Golf Tournament held at Independence Golf Club on August 28, 2009. Proceeds from the tournament support the Strikers U16 and U18 Academy teams which compete nationally against the best club teams in the country.
Harman Claytor congratulates Stan Wellman who was selected for inclusion in the August 2009 edition of the Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers in the area of Civil Litigation Defense. In 2009, Mike Harman, John Claytor, David Corrigan, Stan Wellman, John Owen, Mark Carlton, Danielle Giroux, Lisa Leiner, Jack Jebo, Jon Nichols & Julie Palmer were selected by their peers for inclusion in the Virginia Super Lawyers/Rising Stars. Mike Harman was also selected as one of the Top 50 attorneys in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In May 2009, the Henrico County Bar Association swears in Stan Wellman as President. In April 2009, Julie Palmer becomes the Chair of the newly formed Professional Liability Group of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (VADA). Harman Claytor congratulates John Claytor who was selected for inclusion in the January 2009 edition of the Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers in the area of Insurance Coverage. Four Harman Claytor attorneys have been recognized in the December 2008 issue of Virginia Business as Legal Elite:
Mike Harman and John Claytor have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2009 edition (published November 2008) of The Best Lawyers In America. Mike has been honored in the specialty of Personal Injury Litigation and John in the specialty of Insurance Law. Harman Claytor congratulates David Corrigan who was selected for inclusion in the November 2008 edition of the Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers in the area of Employment Litigation Defense. The Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (VADA) swears in Stan Wellman as President. Click here to read the article in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly. On December 1, 2008, Mike Harman will join The McCammon Group as their newest mediator. Harman Claytor congratulates Stan Wellman who was selected for inclusion in the August 2008 edition of the Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers in the area of Civil Litigation Defense. In 2008, Mike Harman, John Claytor, David Corrigan, Stan Wellman, John Owen, Mark Carlton & Jack Jebo, were selected by their peers for inclusion in the Virginia Super Lawyers/Rising Stars. John Claytor was also selected as one of the Top 50 attorneys in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Harman Claytor congratulates David Corrigan and Jeremy Capps for being selected as part of the Legal Elite in the 2007 Virginia Business Magazine. David was selected in the area of Labor/Employment Law and Jeremy as a Young Lawyer (under 40). In 2007, Mike Harman, John Claytor, David Corrigan & Stan Wellman, were selected by their peers for inclusion in the Virginia Super Lawyers. Mike Harman was also selected as one of the Top 50 attorneys in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Mike Harman and John Claytor have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 25th anniversary edition (December 2007) of The Best Lawyers In America. Mike has been honored in the specialty of Personal Injury Litigation and John in the specialty of Insurance Law. In June 2007, Dick Bennett traveled to the South Sudan as part of a medical mission team from St. James Episcopal Church. For Dick's account of his experience, please read his article which was published in the St. James' July 2007 newsletter. Please view the photos from the trip. |
