Peter E. Kanaris

Partner

Chicago, IL

He/Him

"My goal is to protect our clients' interests while advising on a clear path forward to effectively resolve each matter."

312-704-3628

Email cGthbmFyaXNAaGluc2hhd2xhdy5jb20=

Peter E. Kanaris

Partner

Chicago, IL

He/Him

"My goal is to protect our clients' interests while advising on a clear path forward to effectively resolve each matter."

312-704-3628

Email cGthbmFyaXNAaGluc2hhd2xhdy5jb20=

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About Peter

Peter tries cases and argues appeals in state and federal courts nationwide as part of his complex, multi-party litigation and appellate practice. With more than four decades of experience, he focuses on insurance coverage disputes, representing major domestic and international insurance companies in high-stakes property and reinsurance matters. He handles first-party property insurance, reinsurance, subrogation, cyber, and extra-contractual issues.

Peter counsels clients in commercial, construction, and environmental litigation, defending professionals such as accountants, attorneys, architects, and engineers against liability claims. He also represents clients in arbitrations, helping them manage risk and resolve disputes outside of court. As a trusted advisor to professionals and corporations worldwide, he provides strategic guidance to navigate legal challenges and reduce exposure.

Several of the largest insurance companies retained Peter to coordinate the nationwide response to legal challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. He handled the defense of the most prominent lawsuits, securing notable victories in major insurance coverage disputes, including dismissals and summary judgments in direct first-party and reinsurance coverage matters. Peter consistently delivered favorable outcomes for clients in state and federal courts, as well as on appeal.

Areas of Focus

Industries:

Services:

Experience

Secured dismissal of COVID-19 property insurance claim on behalf of a Hinshaw insurance client. The policyholder who owns and operates a casino sought coverage for business interruption and other losses due to COVID-19 virus and government orders. The court upheld the pathogenic biological material or substance exclusion and ruled that COVID-19 did not cause physical damage. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal.
Obtained partial judgment on the pleadings, dismissing plaintiff's claim of physical loss or damage relating to a COVID-19. Hinshaw was retained pre-suit by the entire market to provide legal counseling relating to a COVID-19 business interruption and extra expense claim made by one of the largest commercial property owners in Washington. When the panel insurers denied coverage in the market, the commercial property owner filed suit, and Hinshaw continued to represent a major insurer. The court granted the defendants’ motion for partial judgment on the pleadings, finding that the SARS-COVID-2 virus and the communicable disease COVID-19 did not cause physical loss of or damage to property. The court held that the lack of physical loss of or damage to property precluded coverage for business interruption, extra expense, lost rental value, civil or military authority, time element, extended time element, ingress/egress, attraction property, contingent time element, and preservation of property.
Represented 14 insurers sued for over $290 million under a property insurance program for a real estate company. During the trial, which lasted six and a half weeks, more than 50 witnesses testified in the case, which involved complex coverage and damage issues. The jury returned a verdict of $50 million less than the last settlement demand and post-trial motions resulted in reducing the damages by $70 million. On appeal, the Tennessee Court of Appeals agreed that the $50 million sub-limit for locations in high hazard flood zones applied, reversed the jury verdict, and entered judgment in favor of our clients. The clients were further awarded costs of $1.9 million. The Tennessee Supreme Court declined certiorari.
Granted Hinshaw insurance company client summary judgment on a ski resort's $5 million fire damage claim, holding that the insurance company validly canceled the policy before the fire. The court agreed with Hinshaw's arguments that Wisconsin's statutory right of automatic renewal does not apply to surplus lines insurers. Even if it did, the policyholder gave up any right to renewal by failing to pay the premium.
Lead counsel in an arbitration involving a policyholder seeking $25 million in damages, which arose under a first-party property manuscript policy. Over the course of one week, ten witnesses testified. The panel returned an award of $1.14 million and found no consequential/extra contractual damages and no penalty pre-judgment interest.

Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America®, Insurance Law, 2021 – 2026
Illinois Super Lawyers, 2005, 2007 – 2025
Leading Lawyer, Insurance; Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law; Toxic Torts Defense Law
Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating

Credentials

Education

Washington University School of Law, JD, 1985
Duke University, AB, 1982

Bar Admissions

Illinois
New York

Court Admissions

US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
US District Court for the Central District of Illinois
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
US District Court for the District of Kansas
US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
US District Court for the Northern District of New York
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Panelist, "Ripped From the Headlines – Insurance and Reinsurance Issues in Current Events," ARIAS 2021 Spring Conference, Virtual Event, May 7, 2021

Event

Trio of Hinshaw Attorneys to Speak at ARIAS 2021 Spring Conference, May 6 – 7, 2021

In The News

Hinshaw/RPC Web Chat – Tales from Covid: Insurance in the Time of Coronavirus – Business Interruption and Insured Insolvency, Jun 4, 2020

Insights for Insurers Alerts

Press Releases

View all of Peter's Insights

Interests

Community/Civic Activities

Peter served on the board of several nonprofit organizations, including Keshet, which provides therapeutic day programs for people with disabilities and special needs. He was also a member of the advisory board for the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences at Duke University.