Seasoned Insurance Coverage Litigator Courtney Murphy Joins Hinshaw in New York

Courtney E. Murphy has joined the U.S. law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP as a partner in the global Insurance Services Practice Group in the New York office. Murphy's primary focus is on evaluating, litigating, and arbitrating all aspects of complex first party property and liability insurance coverage disputes.

Murphy has a national practice with significant experience in handling insurance claims involving catastrophic loss and damage, as well as associated business income loss related to hurricanes, tornados, hail, flooding, fire, and other natural disasters. She also serves as a trusted advisor in matters pertaining to boiler/machinery and builders' risk claims. In addition, Murphy has handled several large losses involving complex geotechnical issues which can often be relevant in claims arising from faulty design, materials, or construction practices. She has also served as an arbitrator in large loss arbitrations.

"Our insurance clients continue to face increased global risk vectors, including COVID-19 coverage, cyber, and privacy issues," said Scott Seaman, global co-chair of the firm's Insurance Services Practice Group. "Courtney is an extremely knowledgeable and highly regarded practitioner, and her addition will be a great asset to our clients in the areas of first-party property insurance coverage, and reinsurance." He added, "The addition of Courtney and other outstanding lawyers to our team this year further strengthens our New York-based insurance coverage capabilities and is part of our commitment to providing first-rate legal services and bespoke solutions for our insurance company clients."

"Hinshaw's national footprint, marquee insurance practice, and presence in London will provide me with resources to better serve my clients, as well as an opportunity to expand my practice," said Murphy. "The firm's commitment to growth, hands on senior management and commitment to diversity and inclusion is also really important to me."

Hinshaw has a strategic alliance with the London-based law firm of Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP (RPC), creating a cross-border platform to deliver legal services to insurers. RPC has more than 300 lawyers situated in London, Hong Kong, Bristol, and Singapore.

According to Murphy, "Joining Hinshaw provides the resources and support I need to address and handle for my clients all aspects of the unique coverage issues presented by modern day risks." Murphy added, "With its robust national platform and deep bench of insurance professionals, Hinshaw enhances and compliments my existing practice, which remains focused on providing insurance-based clients with a level of service that is time-conscious, detail-oriented and results-based."

Murphy formally was a shareholder at Clausen Miller and began her legal career working at Skadden Arps. She received a B.A. from Fordham University and a J.D. from The New York Law School. While earning her law degree, she worked for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and the United State Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York in the Major Crime Bureau.

Media Coverage

Murphy's addition was profiled in a Law360 story, in which she noted that "[j]oining Hinshaw provides the resources and support I need to address and handle for my clients all aspects of the unique coverage issues presented by modern-day risks." Her addition was also covered in the August 6 Bloomberg Wake Up Call newsletter.