Construction Builder's Risk and CGL Insurance: Scope of Coverage, Covered Losses, Exclusions, AI Endorsements

Mr. Brown leads the firm’s Insurance Coverage and Risk Management practice group. He brings more than a decade of experience advising clients on a wide range of insurance coverage matters. Mr. Brown began his career at an insurer-side firm with a national practice and gained valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate claims before and during litigation. Now, he applies that experience and insight on the other side of the docket to help companies ensure insurers honor their obligations under the policy when a claim arises. Mr. Brown’s primary focus is advising contractors, owners, subcontractors, and other participants in the construction industry in disputes with their insurance companies. In his coverage practice, he frequently represents oilfield service providers, pipeline companies, alternative energy contractors, and other clients across the oil, gas, and broader energy industries. In addition, his coverage expertise extends well outside the construction context. Mr. Brown has assisted clients in securing multi-million-dollar settlements or claim payments in disputes with insurers in a wide variety of cases, including a claim for coverage involving an e-mail spoofing/wire fraud incident, an eight-figure claim involving catastrophic property damage from the 2021 statewide freeze event in Texas, and several seven- and eight-figure claims under builders risk policies.

Mr. Pepe focuses his practice on complex insurance coverage issues on behalf of policyholders, and has advocated for his clients at trial, on appeal and in ADR settings. He routinely handles issues dealing with commercial liability, builders’ risk, additional insured claims, indemnity, and the duty to defend. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Pepe represented general contractors, subcontractors, architects and homeowners in contract disputes, construction defect claims, and surety bond claims. 

Mr. Yetka is a commercial trial attorney focusing his practice on insurance recovery disputes. He has successfully enforced the coverage rights of policyholders across the country in cases relating to nearly every type of insurance policy. He has represented and counseled construction companies, financial institutions, utilities, medical device companies, product manufacturers, transportation companies, agricultural businesses and technology companies. Mr. Yetka provides advice to general counsel in the areas of legal and regulatory compliance, records management and document retention, and in the evolving area of cyber security. He is a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel, a Vice Chair (and former Chair) of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee of the ABA, and a Program Committee Member of the Minnesota Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. (RIMS).