Rhonda D. Orin

Office Managing Shareholder , Washington, DC

• 202-416-6549
• rorin@andersonkill.com

Profile

Experience

Property/Casualty Litigation

Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London et al. v. National Railroad Passenger Corp. (“Amtrak”), et. al. in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of N.Y. Lead counsel to defendant Amtrak in comprehensive declaratory judgment action filed by multiple insurance companies regarding environmental liability and personal injury liability claims. Received multi-million- dollar jury verdict at the conclusion of trial regarding environmental liabilities, which led to resolution of the entire dispute without appeal.

National Railroad Passenger Corp. (“Amtrak”) v. Arch Specialty Ins. Co. et al. (U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.). Lead counsel to plaintiff Amtrak against first-party property insurance companies, seeking coverage for property damage and business interruption losses following Superstorm Sandy. Ten months after filing action for declaratory relief, settled with the primary layer ($125M limits) and filed expedited appeal regarding excess ($550M limits). Appeal resulted in a remand.

In the Matter of Liquidation of Midland Insurance Co. (ASARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust) (NY Supr. Ct, NY Cty).  Lead counsel to asbestos personal injury settlement trust in its successful effort to reverse a complete denial of insurance proceeds by the New York State Liquidation Bureau, as receiver of an insolvent insurance company.  Rights to the insurance proceeds transferred to the Trust through confirmation of a §524(g) bankruptcy proceeding.  After an evidentiary trial, favorable rulings by lower court and a unanimous affirmance by the NY Appellate Division of an interlocutory appeal (171 AD3d 564 (2019), the Trust recovered more than $25 million.

National Fire and Marine Ins. Co. v. Genesis Healthcare, Inc. (U.S. Court of Appeals, 3d Cir.). Lead counsel to chain of rehabilitation facilities seeking coverage for losses incurred in connection with COVID-19.  Won a complete reversal in 2023 of the lower court’s grant of summary judgment to the insurance company.  In the reversed decision, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania had identified the underlying claims of COVID-19 as multiple healthcare events rather than a single event.

Fuller-Austin Insulation Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. (Los Angeles Superior Court). One of three trial counsel in four-month jury trial of pre-packaged asbestos bankruptcy proceeding. Achieved $188.7M verdict for policyholder; responsible for portion that was sustained through all appeals, including by the California Supreme Court. See “Top 10 Verdicts,” National Law Journal (January 2004).

Indian Harbor Ins. Co.  v. Rimini Street, Inc. (8^th Jud. Dist. Ct., Clark Cty Nevada) Lead trial counsel to software developer in seeking defense coverage for underlying action from primary insurance company that had denied claim.  Won summary judgment declaring that underlying action did not relate back to previous lawsuit, thereby defeating the basis for the coverage denial.

In re ASARCO LLC, et al. (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Tex., Corpus Christi Division). Lead coverage counsel to ASARCO Inc. prior to its filing of bankruptcy petition; lead coverage counsel to ASARCO as debtor-in-possession throughout the bankruptcy; lead coverage counsel to the ASARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust that emerged from the bankruptcy proceeding. Representative actions included recovery of substantial insurance proceeds from multiple insurance companies. Successfully reopened pre-petition insurance settlement as fraudulent conveyance; thereafter, prevailed on appeal to federal district court and achieved new settlement post-petition.

ASARCO LLC v. United States (see above, plus U.S. District Court, D.C.). Represented ASARCO in post-confirmation lawsuit alleging fraud-on-the-court due to EPA’s destruction of evidence that could have altered ASARCO’s environmental liability in bankruptcy proceeding; recovered non-confidential settlement of $15M.

ASARCO, Inc., et al. v. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., (105th Jud. Dist., Tex., Nueces County). Lead counsel to plaintiff mining company in third-party liability coverage action which produced landmark decisions for policyholders on defense costs outside of policy limits (June 2009), the scope of an asbestosis exclusion (March 2009), choice of law (2008 and 2004) and other key coverage issues.

Bausch & Lomb, Incorporated v. Utica Mutual Ins. Co. (Maryland Court of Appeals). As lead counsel to plaintiff supplier of eye health products in insurance coverage dispute involving environmental liabilities, argued successfully before Maryland’s highest court on issues of “all sums” liability and proof of damage during multiple policy periods; achieved remand that led to prompt resolution of multi-year dispute. See Bausch & Lomb, Incorporated v. Utica Mutual Ins. Co., 735 A.2d 1081 (Md. 1999).

AstenJohnson, Inc. v. Columbia Casualty Co. et al., (U.S. District Court, E.D. Pa.). One of three trial counsel to plaintiff following the Third Circuit’s reversal and remand of an initial judgment of non-coverage; case resolved in 2010 prior to a scheduled re-trial.

See AstenJohnson Inc. v. Columbia Cas. Co. et al., 562 F.3d 213 (3d Cir. 2009).

First Mariner Bank v. The Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland (Circuit Court for Howard County, MD). Lead trial counsel to First Mariner Bank in jury trial of insurance coverage dispute arising from breach of a surety bond. The verdict for First Mariner followed a series of favorable rulings prior to the trial date, including the granting of partial summary judgment to First Mariner, the denial of summary judgment to defendant Fidelity & Deposit Co., the denial of defense motions to reconsider both decisions and the denial of a defense motion for interlocutory appeal.

Janart 55 West 8th LLC v. Greenwich Insurance Co., (U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.). As lead counsel to plaintiff building owner, obtained a favorable ruling on summary judgment which marked the first time that a New York court applied the “no indoor pollution” precedent to a first-party policy. See Janart 55 West 8th LLC v. Greenwich Insurance Co., 614 F.Supp.2d 473 (S.D.N.Y. 2009).

Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Dammann & Co., Inc., et al., (NJ Superior Court, Law Div., Middlesex County). As lead counsel to defendant export-import company in food industry, made favorable law for policyholders seeking coverage for allegedly defective food products. See Travelers Indem. Co. v. Dammann & Co., Inc., 594 F.3d 238 (3rd Cir. 2010).

Chickasha Cotton Oil Co. v. Houston General Insurance Co. et al. (Hunt County, Texas). Lead counsel to plaintiff manufacturer of cottonseed oil; established favorable precedent on many key issues, including the pollution exclusion, lost policies, and bad faith. See Chickasha Cotton Oil Company v. Houston General Ins. Co. et. al., 2002 WL 1792467 (Tex. App. Dallas) (2002).

Rimini Street, Inc v. AXIS Ins. Co. et al. (U.S. Dist. Ct., Northern Dist. of Ill.) Lead trial counsel to software developer in seeking defense coverage for underlying action from excess insurance companies.  Resolved by settlement after defeating motion to dismiss first layer of excess coverage.

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Elite Insurance Company v. Portland Bulk Terminals LLC (NY Supr. Ct., NY Cty).  Lead counsel to manufacturer/distributer in defending against declaratory judgment action filed by insurance company.  The ongoing action arises from the insurance company’s denial of coverage for losses arising from collapse of portion of conveyor structure located in Portland, Oregon.

Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC v. American International Specialty Lines Ins. Co. et al. (U.S. Dist. Ct., District of CT).  Lead counsel to manufacturer in ongoing breach of contract, bad faith and declaratory judgment coverage action.  Manufacturer is seeking defense costs and expenses owed pursuant to products liability insurance policy.

Brenntag Northeast LLC v. ACE Prop. & Cas. Co. (PA Ct. Comm. Pleas, Berks Co.).  Lead counsel to chemical manufacturer in ongoing breach of contract and bad faith action seeking to reverse coverage denial for fees and costs incurred in defending against bodily injury claims arising from PCBs.  Combined jury/bench trial to be set in 2025.

Health Care/Disability Litigation

NYU Langone Hospitals v. Aetna Health, Inc. et al (N.Y. Supr. Ct, NY Cty).  Lead counsel to NYU Langone Hospitals in a breach of contract and bad faith claim against Aetna for systemic underpayments and non-payments for services rendered.  Recovery was sought in excess of $25 million, including 12% interest for violations of NYS Prompt Pay Law (NY Ins. Law §3224-a).  Following denial of dueling motions for summary judgment, NYU Langone filed a renewed motion for partial summary judgment in August 2021 in accordance with directions from the Court.  While judgment on that motion was pending, the case settled in November 2021.

Aetna Ins. Co. et al. v. Esselte Corporation (U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.). Lead trial counsel to office products manufacturer with regard to self-funded employee benefit plan; obtained jury verdict in favor of the plan in April 2005, along with reimbursement of legal fees it incurred in defending against the lawsuit filed by Aetna in its dual capacities as third-party administrator and stop-loss insurance company.

Niesenbaum v. AXA/Equitable Life Insurance Co. (N.Y. Supr. Ct., Nassau Cty). Lead counsel to plaintiff physician in coverage action against disability insurance company; achieved confidential settlement after defeating summary judgment motion filed by insurance company seeking dismissal of bad faith count under Bi-Economy. See Niesenbaum v. AXA/Equitable Life Insurance Co., 2015 NY Slip Op. 32538 (N.Y. Supr. Ct., Nassau Cty 2015).

Cohen v. Standard Ins. Co. (U.S. District Court, E.D. Pa.). Lead counsel to plaintiff law partner; obtained summary judgment for policyholder, including attorney’s fees, in ruling that insurance company’s refusal to pay disability claim was arbitrary and capricious. See Cohen v. Standard Ins. Co., 155 F. Supp. 2d 346 (E.D. Pa. 2001).

Kodsi v. Empire Blue Cross (N.Y. Supreme Ct., N.Y. County). Lead counsel to plaintiff physician arising for suit alleging wrongful termination by insurance company in retaliation for physician challenge to non-payments by insurance company; obtained ruling from NY State Supreme Court that it violates NY law for PPOs to terminate providers without cause.

Lead counsel to Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC in confidential mediation against hospital, stop-loss insurance company and third-party administrator, arising from long-overdue hospital bill for services rendered under a self-insured health plan.  The complex multi-party dispute was resolved.

Counsel to numerous corporations regarding self-funded benefits plans, self-administered insurance policies and self-insurance arrangements, including securing recovery of unpaid sums without resort to litigation, avoiding payment of sums not owed by the corporations or their plans, and analyzing SPDs, administration agreements, stop-loss insurance policies and related documents.

U.S. Supreme Court Litigation

Counsel to Hercules, Inc. in government contracts dispute before U.S. Supreme Court regarding government-compelled manufacture of Agent Orange during Vietnam War. See Hercules, Inc. v. U.S., 516 U.S. 417 (1996).

Counsel to W.S. Kirkpatrick & Co., Inc. in unfair competition case that raised issues of international law and separation of powers. See W.S. Kirkpatrick & Co., Inc. v. Environmental Tectonics Corporation, International, 493 U.S. 400 (1990).

Speaking Engagements

Publications

News