Michael Marick Discusses His Inspiration for Becoming an Insurance Coverage Lawyer

February 10, 2016

Michael M. Marick, a Chicago-based partner in the Insurance Services group at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, was quoted in the article "How Do I Love Coverage?: Some of the Nation's Leading Coverage Lawyers Count the Ways," published by Coverage Opinions on February 10, 2016.  Michael Marick is one of a select few of the nation's leading coverage lawyers that answered a simple question, "Why do you love being an insurance coverage lawyer?"  Mr. Marick explains:

Like most coverage and bad faith attorneys I suspect, analyzing and litigating the meaning of insurance policy language was not a career I pursued from childhood. Famed criminal lawyer Perry Mason was not my inspiration, nor did I find my contracts and insurance law classes particularly exhilarating. Nevertheless, as a young lawyer in the early 1980s, I was taken by the burgeoning CERCLA environmental landscape, and corporate insureds' (before they decided to call themselves "policyholders") attempts to obtain coverage despite the plain language of general liability policies' "occurrence" requirement and the "sudden and accidental" pollution exclusion.  The stakes were high, the lawyers excellent, and the litigation prolific.  With a few victories in hand, my passion for representing the insurance industry in coverage matters ensued.  Thus rings true Professor Cal Newport's book, "So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love," suggesting one's career passion actually is the natural result of work well done, rather than an initial mindset which leads to fulfillment.  Times may be a changin', however.  Tom Hanks's riveting portrayal of noted insurance lawyer James Donovan in Bridge of Spies, no doubt, is bound to spawn a generation of aspiring coverage lawyers.  Hollywood has taken notice.  We have arrived!

Michael Marick has successfully represented property and casualty insurers in high exposure disputes over coverage at the claim stage, in trial courts, and on appeal. Mr. Marick's successes inside and outside the courtroom are based on a deep understanding of the insurance business — from the claims, underwriting and legal perspectives.

Read the full piece on "How Do I Love Coverage?" on the Coverage Opinions website.  

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S. based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm's national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw also serves as counsel to the professional services sector, and provides business advisory and transactional services to clients of all sizes.