Lorraine M. Armenti
Partner
larmenti@cmg.law 350 Mount Kemble AvenueP.O. Box 1917
Morristown, NJ 07962
Direct (973) 631-6008
Fax (973) 267-6442
P.O. Box 1917
Morristown, NJ 07962
Lorraine Armenti is a Partner in the Firm's Insurance and Reinsurance Services Group.
Lorraine's practice focuses on the representation of domestic insurers in complex insurance coverage matters with an emphasis on insurance coverage issues from sexual molestation claims at schools and non-profit organizations. Her practice also focuses on long-tail claims, including asbestos and pollution claims. Most recently, Lorraine completed a nine day bench trial in NY where she obtained a favorable ruling under a claims made environmental policy, precluding over a million dollars of coverage to the insured.
Prior to joining Coughlin Midlige & Garland as a Partner upon its inception in March 2004, Lorraine was a Partner at the firm of McElroy, Deutsch & Mulvaney, where her practice concentrated in the management of complex coverage litigation across the United States, and she served as national counsel for a large, domestic insurance company. While at McElroy, Deutsch & Mulvaney, Lorraine opened the firm’s Colorado office, where she continued to litigate complex insurance coverage matters in the western region of the United States while managing the Colorado office.
Lorraine has represented insurers in coverage matters involving sexual molestation, underlying environmental, asbestos, product recall, and toxic tort issues. She has been involved in trials and mediations on coverage issues throughout the United States.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Obtained a favorable ruling under a claims made pollution policy after a nine day bench trial in N.Y. (2017)
- Chenault v. Victory Highlands Condo. Ass’n, No. A-3626-14T4 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 21, 2016) (per curiam) (holding, in an interlocutory appeal, that the common law prohibition on direct actions against insurers applies without exception to a claim seeking declaratory relief).
- Obtained a favorable ruling for a primary and umbrella insurer in an asbestos coverage case, after a 16-day bench trial in Waterbury, Connecticut. (May/June 2013) The ruling was affirmed by the Connecticut Appellate Court. (2015)
- Mediated to successful resolution numerous coverage cases involving asbestos and product recall liabilities.
- Represented an international insurer in connection with one of the largest mining coverage cases litigated in the state of Colorado.
Services
Education
- Seton Hall University-School of Law (J.D., 1982)
- Montclair State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1977)
Professional Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States (2019)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2018)
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1982)
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado (1991)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2019)
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (2020)
- State of New York, Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department (2012)
- State of New Jersey (1982)
- State of Colorado (1991)
- State of New York (2012)
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "Allocation of long tail insurance claims after Viking Pump and Keyspan,” Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP’s Seminar on Long Tail Allocation and the Strategic Use of Reservation of Rights Letters (May 31, 2018)
Speaker, "Allocation of long tail claims after Viking Pump and Keyspan,” Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP’s Seminar on Emerging Issues in Insurance Coverage (May 10, 2018)
Speaker, "Hot Button Issues in Insurance Law: 2018,” N.J. Law Center (January 2018)
Speaker, "The Ins, Outs and Unpredictability of the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine in the Claim Handling Process," The India House (November 19, 2015)
Speaker, “Recent Developments in New Jersey Law: Farmers Mutual and Potomac," CLU Charlotte, North Carolina (February 26, 2014)
Panelist, “Big, Midsize and Small: Understanding Private Law Firm Practice," Seton Hall Law School (Fall 2013)
Speaker, “The Challenges of Navigating Additional Insured Coverage and Contractual Indemnity Claims," The Westin Jersey City Newport Jersey City, New Jersey (November 20, 2013)
Speaker, “The Challenges of Navigating Additional Insured Coverage and Contractual Indemnity Claims," New York City, New York (October 29, 2013)
Publications and Presentations
Co-Author, "The Evolution of Cyber Coverage Law: A Survey of Critical Decisions and the Market's Response," ABA's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, Coverage Journal (November 21, 2016)
Co-Author, "New Jersey Appellate Division Affirms Allocation to Insured for Pre-December 2004 Insolvencies," Environmental Claims Journal, DOI: 10.1080/10406026.2106.1192901 (2016)
Co-Author, “Just When You Thought You Understood New Jersey Allocation Law: Implications, Limitations and Complications in Applying Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Salem v. New Jersey Property-Liability Ins. Guar. Assn.," Environmental Claims Journal, Vol. 26, Number 3, (July-September 2014)
Co-Author, “'Scope of Coverage' – The Handbook on Additional Insureds,” ABA Publication (2012)
Awards and Honors
Super Lawyers, Insurance Coverage (2012, 2020-2021, 2024). (This list is published by Super Lawyers. Their selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.)
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America©(2020-2025). Their selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.)
Richard J. Hughes Award for Excellence in Civil Practice
Memberships
Member, ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
Member, Essex County Bar Association
Member, New Jersey Women Lawyers Association
Results
- When The Call To The Bullpen Came, Coughlin Midlige & Garland Was Able To Close The Deal
Our insurance company client was mired in a decade long litigation in a multi-site, multi-million dollar lawsuit seeking coverage for...
- Coughlin Midlige & Garland Trial Team Obtains Favorable Results
In an insurance coverage action arising from asbestos-related bodily injury actions, Coughlin Midlige & Garland attorneys secured favorable decisions, both...
News
- August 20, 2024 16 CMG Attorneys Selected for Inclusion - Best Lawyers in America©
August 20, 2024Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 16 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the...
- March 25, 2024 2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
March 25, 2024Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that 11 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the...
- August 17, 2023 CMG Attorneys Selected for Inclusion - Best Lawyers in America©
August 17, 2023Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 16 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024...
- May 11, 2023 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected for Super Lawyers / Rising Stars Lists
May 11, 2023Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that twelve of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list in their respective practice areas. Of...
- August 29, 2022 12 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
August 29, 2022Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 12 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the...
- April 13, 2022 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
April 13, 2022Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP congratulates nine of our attorneys who have been selected to the 2022 Super Lawyers and...
- March 24, 2020 Insurance Implications Of COVID-19 Pandemic
March 24, 2020The Covid-19 virus is affecting almost every business and every aspect of life. State governments across the United States are...
- March 13, 2020 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Named to New Jersey 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
March 13, 2020Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that ten of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the...
- October 7, 2019 Connecticut High Court Affirms Continuous Trigger, Unavailability Exception to Pro-Rata Allocation for Asbestos Bodily Injury Coverage
October 7, 2019On October 4, 2019, the Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed the Appellate Courts’ decision in R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc. v. Hartford...
- August 15, 2019 6 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Partners Recognized in 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®
August 15, 2019Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 6 of the firm's partners have been selected by their peers for...
- July 30, 2019 Third Circuit Rules No Duty to Defend School District Based on Prior Knowledge of Sexual Abuse of Students
July 30, 2019On July 26, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held in favor of Coughlin Midlige...
- October 18, 2018 New Jersey District Court Denies Coverage Based on Prior Known Acts Exclusion
October 18, 2018The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey recently held that an insurer had no duty to...
- June 29, 2018 New Jersey Supreme Court Rejects Equitable Exception to “Unavailability Rule” for Owens-Illinois/Carter-Wallace Allocations and Clarifies Choice of Law Analysis for Insurance Coverage Disputes Involving Nationwide Products Liability Claims
June 29, 2018On June 26, 2018, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Continental Insurance Company v. Honeywell International,...
- June 29, 2018 New Jersey Supreme Court Rejects Equitable Exception to “Unavailability Rule” for Owens-Illinois/Carter-Wallace Allocations and Clarifies Choice of Law Analysis for Insurance Coverage Disputes Involving Nationwide Products Liability Claims
June 29, 2018On June 26, 2018, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Continental Insurance Company v. Honeywell International, addressing...
- March 28, 2018 New York’s High Court Rejects “Unavailability Rule” for Pro Rata Longtail Allocations
March 28, 2018In a significant victory for insurers, on March 27, 2018, the New York Court of Appeals held that policyholders are...
- October 26, 2017 Connecticut Supreme Court to Review “Unavailability Exception” and Other Significant Asbestos-Related Coverage Issues
October 26, 2017On October 18, 2017, the Connecticut Supreme Court granted petitions to review the “unavailability exception” and other significant asbestos coverage...
- July 20, 2017 Second Circuit Provides First Significant Application Of Viking Pump
July 20, 2017On July 18, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit provided the first significant appellate application...
- June 5, 2017 District Court Holds No Coverage for School That Knew Teacher Was Abusing Students
June 5, 2017On June 1, 2017, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey granted summary judgment in favor...
- March 2, 2017 Connecticut Appellate Court Issues Wide-Ranging And Mixed Decision Regarding Asbestos Insurance Coverage
March 2, 2017In a wide-ranging and detailed opinion spanning more than 200 pages, the Connecticut Appellate Court addressed a multitude of issues...
- November 28, 2016 New Jersey’s Appellate Division Rejects Exception to the “No Direct Action Rule” for Declaratory Judgment Claims
November 28, 2016In an issue of first impression, a unanimous panel of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, held that...
- November 22, 2016 The Evolution of Cyber Coverage Law: A Survey of Critical Decisions and the Market's Response
November 22, 2016 - September 2, 2016 New York Appellate Division Holds Policyholder Responsible for Periods When Insurance Was Unavailable, Rejecting Stonewall Ins. Co. v. Asbestos Claims Management Corp., 73 F.3d 1178 (2nd Cir. 1995).
September 2, 2016In a major departure from New York Law as predicted by the Second Circuit, The New York Appellate Division (1st...
- June 13, 2016 New Jersey Appellate Division Affirms Allocation to Insured for Pre-December 2004 Insolvencies
June 13, 2016The New Jersey Appellate Division has held that in long-tail allocation cases, the policyholder remains responsible for amounts allocable to...
- February 17, 2016 Prejudice Not Required For New Jersey Late Notice Defense Under Claims-Made Policies
February 17, 2016On February 11, 2016, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that an insurer is not obligated to establish prejudice when...
- January 12, 2016 N.J. Appellate Division Holds Insureds Remain Responsible for Sums Allocable to Insurers Who Became Insolvent Prior to December 22, 2004
January 12, 2016On January 12, 2016, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that an insured is responsible for sums otherwise allocable to...
- August 13, 2014 Recent Developments in the Use of the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Immunity to Shield Investigative Materials from Discovery in New York
August 13, 2014An appellate-level state court in New York recently examined the applicability of the attorney-client privilege and work product immunity in...
- April 2, 2014 Connecticut Case of First Impression Affirms Exhaustion Under Cost Share Agreement and Holds Insured Responsible for Gaps in Coverage and Insolvencies
April 2, 2014Following a 14 day bench trial, on March 28, 2014, a Connecticut trial court issued a decision which significantly impacts...
- February 26, 2014 An Overview of Key New Jersey Decisions: (1) Insurer Insolvency in Long Tail Claims; and (2) Insurance Coverage issues involving Sexual Molestation Claims
February 26, 2014A discussion of recent New Jersey case law dealing with the treatment of insolvent insurers in the allocation of defense...
- November 19, 2013 New Jersey Superior Court Clarifies Limitation To The Farmers Mutual Decision and The Applicability of the 2004 Amendment to the PLIGA Act
November 19, 2013On November 13, 2013, in Ward Sand & Materials Co. v. Transamerica Ins. Co., et als. (CAM-L-4130-09), Judge Robert G....
- September 24, 2013 New Jersey Supreme Court Requires Exhaustion of All Other Applicable Insurance Before N.J. Property-Liability Guaranty Association Pays Statutory Benefits For An Insolvent Insurer’s Long-Tail Claims
September 24, 2013On September 24, 2013, in Farmers Mutual Fire Ins. Co. of Salem v. NJPLIGA, ** N.J. ***, 2013 N.J. LEXIS...