Without a doubt, during 2014, cyber security emerged as one of the critical topics for discussion. In the following guest post, Bill Boeck, who is senior legal and claim resource worldwide for cyber and executive risk coverages and claims at Lockton Financial Service, takes a look at the top cyber risk developments to watch in
directors and officers liability
Will Investors Sue Over the Sony Hack Attack?
As I noted in my recent rundown of the top D&O stories of 2014, one of the most important developments during the year just finished was the emergence of cyber security as a D&O liability concern. During 2014, plaintiff shareholders launched cyber breach-related derivative lawsuits against the boards of Target and Wyndham (about which refer …
The Top Ten D&O Stories of 2014
The year just ended was an eventful one in the world of directors’ and officers’ liability. Many of the year’s key events represented significant changes in the D&O liability environment. Many of the changes during 2014 have important implications for 2015 – and possibly for years to come. The list of the Top Ten D&O …
Target Directors and Officers Hit with Derivative Suits Based on Data Breach
I have frequently noted that among the many exposures a company experiencing a data breach could encounter is the possibility of a shareholder suit alleging that the company’s board breached their fiduciary duties by failing to take sufficient steps to protect the company from a breach and its consequences. This possibility has now been …
Private Companies: Risks, Exposures and Insurance
In general, and at least in the United States, executives at public companies don’t need to be convinced that their companies need to have D&O insurance. That is not always true with officials at private companies. Some officials at some private companies – particularly very closely held private companies – are skeptical that they need…
D&O Insurance: How Many Different Ways Can Coverage Be Precluded for a Single Case?
Due to the complexity both of the D&O insurance policy and of the kinds of claims that can arise, the question of whether and to what extent a particular claim may be covered is often disputed. Sometimes though a particular claim is simply not covered. That was the case in a recent coverage dispute in…
InSights: What to Watch in the World of D&O
Every fall, I put together a list of the current hot topics in the world of Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance. In the latest issue of InSights (here), I review the critical issues to watch now in the world of D&O. This year’s list includes several key regulatory and litigation developments as well…
PLUS Professional Liability Regional Symposium in Zurich, October 9-10, 2013
I want to make sure that all readers – particularly those based outside the U.S. — are aware of an upcoming Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) event.
On October 9-10, 2013, PLUS will be sponsoring an educational and networking event in Zurich. The Professional Liability Regional Symposium will address a wide range of…
What to Watch Now in the World of D&O
Every fall, I take a step back and survey the most important current trends and developments in the world of Directors’ and Officers’ liability and D&O insurance. This year’s survey is set out below. Once again, there are a myriad of things worth watching in the world of D&O.
How Will the Interrelatedness Issue…
When the Business Judgment Rule Isn’t Available to Protect Directors
A recurring issue in the litigation the FDIC has filed against the directors and officers of failed banks is the question of whether or not officers – as opposed to directors – can rely on the business judgment rule as a defense under applicable state law. A July 8, 2013 decision by Judge Dean Pregerson applying…