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Mr. Goodwin is one of the nation’s leading insurance coverage practitioners, ranked in the highest tier by Chambers USA both nationally and in California. The leading legal directory described him as “one of the strongest players around in contentious insurance cases” and “a world-class litigator and an expert in insurance disputes.” He has also been recognized by Law360 as one of the country’s top three “most valuable players” in the insurance practice area.
With more than 30 years of experience representing corporate policyholders in insurance coverage disputes and litigation, his practice runs the gamut of insurance issues, including major property damage and business interruption losses, errors and omissions, cyber risk, fidelity, crime, financial guarantee, and director and officer claims, offshore, and onshore construction insurance disputes, and marine, products liability and environmental insurance matters. Mr. Goodwin has served as a party arbitrator or counsel for a party in insurance arbitrations in the U.S., the UK, Bermuda, and Singapore. He also is a highly experienced appellate advocate who has argued more than 50 appeals.
Mr. Goodwin has served as an adjunct professor at University of California at Berkeley Law School, where he taught courses on insurance law.
- Lead counsel for UnitedHealth Group in two successful jury trials concerning professional liability coverage for consumer class action claims.
- Represented LyondellBasell Industries in a significant business interruption insurance claim that resulted in a multi-hundred million dollar recovery for the insured.
- Represented a paint manufacturing company in a successful jury trial and two dozen successful summary adjudication motions resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of coverage for the client’s asbestos liabilities.
- Represented BP America in insurance issues arising from the sinking and explosion of the Deepwater Horizon.
- Represented a financial institution in a successful trial, affirmed on appeal, to obtain errors and omissions insurance coverage for consumer tort claims.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a hospitality industry client on a nine figure builders’ risk insurance claim arising out of a construction accident.
- Represented PG&E in a successful trial involving insurance coverage for environmental liabilities.
- Obtained summary judgment for Hewlett-Packard in a significant business interruption claim arising out of employee sabotage.
- Represented BP plc in litigation concerning builders’ risk insurance for numerous construction projects.
- Represented clients in dozens of first-party property damage, business interruption or builders’ risk insurance claims arising at locations around the world, including Guam, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom, Vietnam and 22 states in the United States.
- Handled a huge variety of third party liability insurance matters, including products and environmental liabilities, director and officer, errors and omissions claims, employment disputes, and nuclear liabilities.
- Represented clients in numerous claims and insurance issues involving subprime mortgage and credit risks.
- Appointed as an arbitrator in eight insurance arbitrations.
- Served as an expert witness on insurance and civil procedure issues in courts in England, Australia, and the United States.
- Argued insurance coverage appeals before the California Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits, and numerous state appellate courts.
Memberships and Affiliations
- American Law Institute
- Bar Association of San Francisco (former President, Insurance Coverage Section)
- Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
- American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, former Chair of the Board of Trustees
- State Bar of California Insurance Law Section, former Member, Board of Directors
June 14, 2017
WASHINGTON—Covington’s Insurance Recovery practice has received the 2017 Chambers USA "Award for Excellence" in Insurance, marking the sixth time the firm has received this honor in the 11 years it has been awarded. The "Award for Excellence" is given to one U.S. firm representing policyholders in the insurance coverage field. In addition to the award, Covington ...
May 4, 2017, Covington Alert
With effect from today, policyholders may recover damages from insurers for late payment of some insurance claims.
For insurance contracts agreed or renewed on or after May 4, 2017 and governed by English law, the UK Enterprise Act 2016 introduces an implied term, affording the policyholder the right to recover losses caused by the insurer’s failure to pay valid claims within a reasonable time. The insurer has the burden to prove reasonable grounds for a delayed payment. The parties to business insurance contracts may agree to exclude damages for delayed payments that are neither deliberate nor reckless; but the insurer must specifically notify the policyholder of any such provision before entering the contract.
Policyholders should be alert to this new right, both at renewal and in future claims under UK insurance contracts.
Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), Bar Association, Trade Groups, and Other Seminars
2008-present
Mr. Goodwin has spoken at fourteen RIMS annual conventions and dozens of Bar Association, trade groups, and other seminars.
August 12, 2016, Covington Alert
The Insurance Act, which received Royal Assent and became law in the United Kingdom in February 2015, has now come into force: it applies to all insurance policies entered into on or after August 12, 2016, including renewals, and to all variations to existing policies made on or after that date.
As previously reported, the Act contains the most significant changes to UK insurance law for corporate policyholders for over a century and is intended to improve the coverage position of policyholders. This alert is a reminder of the main features of the Act and reactions to it to date.
April 24, 2016, Business Insurance
David Goodwin’s remarks from the annual RIMS conference are quoted in this article discussing the increased use of catastrophe bonds by risk managers. According to Goodwin, “This really is an up-and-coming issue for risk management.”
May 21, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, May 21, 2015 — Covington’s insurance recovery practice won the 2015 Chambers USA Award for Excellence in Insurance, marking the fifth time the firm has received this honor in the nine years it has been awarded. The Award for Excellence, presented at Chambers USA’s annual awards dinner in New York City on May 19, was given to only one U.S. firm ...
2015
Mr. Goodwin is a contributor to Insurance Litigation guide (Rutter Group).
September 12, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO, September 12, 2014 — For the second year in a row, Covington & Burling partner David Goodwin was named to the Daily Journal’s list of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California. The list honors “lawyers who have impact — on an industry or on the larger society,” according to the publication’s editors. Mr. Goodwin was recognized for his work representing ...
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
August 8, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO, August 8, 2014 — Northern California Super Lawyers named Tammy Albarrán one of Northern California’s “Top 50 Women” lawyers and Robert Haslam one of the region’s “Top 100” lawyers. The publication selected 33 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2014 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who ...
5/5/2014
SAN FRANCISCO, May 5, 2014 — Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that Martin H. (Marty) Myers has joined the firm’s insurance recovery practice representing corporate policyholders in complex coverage disputes with their insurers. Mr. Myers joins the firm as a partner, resident in its San Francisco office. A nationally recognized insurance recovery ...
9/12/2013
SAN FRANCISCO, September 12, 2013 — Covington & Burling partners Bruce Deming and David Goodwin have been named to the Daily Journal’s list of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California. The list recognizes “the tremendous legal talent” in the state, according to the publication’s editors. Mr. Deming was recognized for his work representing Microsoft Corp. in major ...
NLJ Names Covington to Appellate Hot List
June 3, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, June 3, 2013 — For the fifth time, The National Law Journal has named Covington & Burling to its “Appellate Hot List.” The 2013 list recognizes firms whose appellate track records over the past year have included significant victories in cases that affect the course of industries, vindicate important constitutional rights, and have high financial ...
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
8/23/2012
SAN FRANCISCO, August 23, 2012 — Northern California Super Lawyers selected 24 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Northern California based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Robert Fram and Robert Haslam were named among ...
June 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, June 11, 2012 — Covington & Burling’s insurance practice won the 2012 Chambers USA Award for Excellence in Insurance, marking the fourth time the firm has received this honor in the six years it has been awarded. The Award for Excellence, presented at Chambers USA’s annual awards dinner in New York City on June 7, was given to only one U.S. ...
Five Covington Lawyers Named Law360 MVPs
November 14, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, November 14, 2011 — Law360 named five Covington & Burling lawyers today as “Most Valuable Players” in their respective practice areas. The inaugural award singles out lawyers whose accomplishments in major litigation or transactional matters have “raised the bar” over the past year. The 92 lawyers awarded this honor focus their work in 16 ...
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...
July 13, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2011 — Twenty-two Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2011 edition of Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Fourteen Covington lawyers were named Northern ...
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
February 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, February 15, 2011 — For the seventh time, Practical Law Company has awarded Covington & Burling LLP its worldwide first place ranking in the Life Sciences Regulatory Super League category. PLC also singled out Covington’s Antitrust/Competition, Corporate, and Insurance practices, along with lawyers from each group, in its practice-specific ...
2011, California Property Insurance Law and Litigation (CEB)
2011, 2d ed.
2011, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition (rev. ed.)
A Suit by Any Other Name
December 3, 2010, The Recorder
Four Covington Lawyers Named ‘2011 Lawyer of the Year’
November 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, November 16, 2010 — Four Covington & Burling LLP lawyers have been recognized as the "2011 Lawyer of the Year" in their respective practice areas by The Best Lawyers in America. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is honored. The Covington lawyers recognized for this honor are: Jonathan Blake, Washington Communications ...
August 6, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
July 16, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2010 — Eighteen Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Eleven Covington lawyers were named Northern California Super ...
Contesting the Cover
July/August 2010, Continuity
June 23, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 85 individual mentions and 23 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2010 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
May 2010, Insurance Coverage Law Bulletin
August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
7/15/2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 15, 2009 — Eleven Covington & Burling LLP partners are recognized in the 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, seven lawyers have been named Northern California ...
June 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
September 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
8/27/2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, August 27, 2008 — Eleven Covington & Burling LLP partners are recognized in the 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, San Francisco partners Anita Stork and Donald Brown ...
Covington Adds David Goodwin and Lawrence Hobel to its Premier Policyholder Coverage Practice
7/1/2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 1, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that David Goodwin and Lawrence Hobel have joined the firm’s policyholder insurance coverage practice as partners. Both will be resident in Covington’s San Francisco office. Mr. Goodwin is one of the nation’s leading insurance coverage practitioners, placed in the first rank by ...
Property Insurance
2008, Appleman On Insurance (3d ed.)
- Law360 - MVP, Insurance
- The Daily Journal, Top 100 Lawyers in California
- Best Lawyers in America - Lawyer of the Year, Insurance Law
- Chambers USA (highest tier of policyholder lawyers both nationally and in California; listed as one of only two “star individuals” in California)
- Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers
- The Practical Law Company (PLC) - Insurance and Reinsurance, The Law and Leading Lawyers Worldwide
- Super Lawyers of Northern California
- Benchmark Litigation, Local Star - California
- Who’s Who Legal: Insurance and Reinsurance
- Woodward/White Inc.’s “Best Lawyers in America”
- Legal 500 US (Recommended as an Insurance, Healthcare, and Energy: Litigation Lawyer)
- Best of the Best USA - Insurance and Reinsurance
Practices
Industries
Education
Stanford Law School, J.D., 1982
- Stanford Law Review, Articles Editor
University of Oxford, M.A., 1981
University of Oxford, B.A., 1976
University of California, Santa Cruz, A.B., 1974
Judicial Clerkship
- Hon. Joseph T. Sneed, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Bar Admissions
- California