500 Washington Avenue South
Suite 4000
Minneapolis MN 55415
TEL: (612) 336-9178
FAX: (612) 336-9100
ecaugh@zellelaw.com
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Practice Areas
- Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability
- Breach of Contract
- Class Actions
- Climate Change
- Commercial Litigation
- General Liability Coverage and Defense
- Insurance
- Pandemic Claims and Litigation
- Professional Liability
- Property Insurance
- Reinsurance
Bar and Court Admissions
- State Court: Minnesota
- U.S. District Court: District of Minnesota and Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: Third Circuit, Eighth Circuit and Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1996
- Alma College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1992
Eric E. Caugh
Eric has spent the majority of his career representing insurers in third-party liability insurance coverage and bad faith disputes, with a focus on long-tail liability claims, including environmental and toxic exposure losses, asbestos, silica, sexual abuse, and PFAS. He has represented some of the largest domestic and international insurers in all aspects of liability coverage litigation (including appeals) and arbitration in state and federal courts around the country and involving coverage issues of nearly every flavor. Over his career, Eric has counseled and represented insurers on a broad range of liability products and forms, including: CGL, professional liability, E&O, D&O, tech and cyber risk, umbrella, excess, and bespoke coverages.
Eric’s insurance practice also includes the investigation, analysis, and litigation of first-party property coverage, subrogation, and reinsurance claims, including COVID claims, as well as counseling clients on various claims handling and policy drafting issues.
In addition to his coverage work, Eric has also defended clients in various other civil disputes, including employment liability, professional liability, securities defense, property rights, commercial contract, non-profit entities, and ecclesiastical disputes.
Representative Matters
Counsel and represent global insurer in PFAS coverage dispute
Counsel and represent global insurer in clergy abuse coverage lawsuits (in state courts and federal bankruptcy courts)
Represent national insurer in D&O coverage claim involving securities class action
Represent national insurer in D&O coverage claim involving merger of insurers
Represent national insurer in asbestos and welding fume coverage dispute involving heavy equipment manufacturer
Cont'l Cas. Co. v. Employers Ins. Co. of Wausau, Robert A. Keasbey Co., et al., 85 A.D.3d 403 (1st Dep't 2011) (asbestos)
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company v. George V. Hamilton, Inc., 571 F.3d 299 (3rd Cir. 2009) (asbestos)
Chubb v. Nationwide (E&O known claims coverage arbitration)
Waste Management, Inc. v. The Admiral Ins. Co., et al. (environmental insurance coverage trial)
St. Paul Mercury Ins. Co. v. JBA International (technology E&O insurance coverage litigation)
Crane Co. v. Employers Reinsurance Corp. (asbestos insurance coverage litigation)
Bray & Gillespie v. VeriClaim, Inc. (professional liability defense of claims adjuster relating to hurricane losses in Florida)
Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles v. VeriClaim, Inc. (professional liability defense of third-party claims administrator)
Kitchar v. Adix (defense of NASD securities arbitration)
Articles & Presentations
"Environmental Insurance Including PFAS Concerns,” Practising Law Institute’s Property and Casualty Insurance Law 2023 program, October 10, 2023, panelist
"PFAS: What Liability Insurers Need to Know," Zelle webinar, October 4, 2022, presenter
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, past Co-Chair, Asbestos
- Subcommittee
, Appellate Practice Committee, past Co-Chair, Pro Bono Subcommittee - Federal Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association, leadership council, Appellate Practice Section
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minneapolis Downtown Council
Community Service
- Leadership Team, Minneapolis Downtown Council's Minneapolis Idea eXchange Festival
- Westminster Presbyterian Church, past Board Member
- Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Board of Trustees Member
- Former Senior Editor, IRMI's CGL Reporter
Noteworthy
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024.
