Firm News
Behind the Win: Litigation Departments of the Year – Insurance – 2025 New England Legal Awards
Exploring the Strategy, Teamwork, and Impact Behind Wiggin and Dana’s Biggest Victory at the 2025 New England Legal Awards
Wiggin and Dana was named Litigation Departments of the Year: Insurance at the 2025 New England Legal Awards. This honor celebrates not just what we achieved, but how we achieved it: through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to client success.
Our team delivers responsive and sophisticated counsel and advocacy across the full spectrum of insurance-related legal matters. We represent domestic and international insurers, reinsurers, brokers, and industry trade groups in complex litigation, ADR, regulatory matters, and strategic advisory work. Our team has appeared in courts across more than 30 U.S. states and in international arbitration forums, and is known for its ability to handle high-stakes disputes with precision and efficiency.
Michael Menapace, Co-Chair of the Insurance Practice Group, shares his perspective:
What does this recognition mean to you?
This recognition affirms our role as trusted advocates in the insurance industry. It reflects not only the results we’ve achieved in precedent‑setting cases but also the confidence our clients place in us to handle their most complex and high‑stakes disputes.
How does this recognition highlight the strengths of your team or practice?
It underscores our ability to deliver results across all stages of litigation, from trial to appellate advocacy to thought leadership before the U.S. Supreme Court. Our team combines deep subject‑matter expertise in insurance law with strategic litigation management, ensuring that every matter advances both the client’s immediate goals and broader industry interests.
What qualities or approaches do you think set your team apart in earning this honor?
Our work has influenced state supreme courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, helping define the contours of insurance law nationwide. We work seamlessly across trial and appellate teams, ensuring continuity and effectiveness in complex, high‑value matters.
Is there a particular example of how Wiggin’s insurance group worked across disciplines to achieve an important result?
The Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of choice‑of‑law provisions has brought clarity to maritime contracts, a trend we directly influenced through our amicus work.
How do you approach complex coverage disputes to achieve favorable outcomes for clients?
We begin by deeply analyzing the policy language and aligning our strategy with the client’s broader litigation and business objectives. From there, we craft arguments that resonate with courts by combining technical expertise with clear, persuasive advocacy. We also leverage collaboration across practice groups to ensure efficiency and consistency, ultimately delivering results that not only resolve disputes but also shape favorable precedent for the industry.
