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Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP has achieved a top ranking of “Band 1” for Insurance in Texas for work performed in 2015, and four attorneys have been recognized for their work in Insurance and Insurance: Regulation for Texas. This is the twelfth year in a row Thompson Coe has achieved this recognition.

Chambers USA editors state about Thompson Coe, “This firm earns positive recognition for its wide array of insurance services, which include regulatory and transactional matters and coverage claims.The team regularly represents some of the country’s most prominent insurers, with a particular emphasis on catastrophe claims. One client said, “They are our go-to firm in Texas. They are able to prioritize matters that need immediate attention over those that do not.”

The practitioners are adept at handling a multitude of claims including construction and builders’ risk, life and health claims and professional liability. Recent highlights include representing a major insurer as lead counsel in Multi-District Litigation for hail and windstorm litigation in numerous counties, defending a carrier against coverage and bad faith claims in excess of $20 million, and acting as legal counsel in drafting important legislation to be supported by IIAT regulating navigators under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Attorneys recognized in Chambers USA:

    • Brian Martin, a partner in the Houston office, ranked “Band 1” in Insurance for Texas.  Chambers USA states, Brian is a “leading insurance coverage attorney who frequently tries cases and is particularly strong on national liability and environmental work. One client is quick to credit him with a number of key strengths, including: “Litigation strategy, advocacy, planning, identifying client goals and developing and executing a plan to achieve the desired result as cost effectively as possible.”
    • Jay Thompson is a “superb legislative and regulatory insurance attorney based out of the firm’s Austin office. Thompson serves as counsel to numerous insurance company groups and trade associations.” According to one market source, Jay Thompson is a “legislative expert.” Jay is a partner is the Austin office and is ranked “Band 1” for Insurance: Regulation.
    • Roger Higgins, a managing partner in the Dallas office, is ranked “Band 2” in Insurance for Texas.  He focuses his practice on first party and bad faith claims and is particularly active on hail storm claims. He also handles a wide range of other work for insurers, including class action defense, receivership proceedings and reinsurance disputes.
    • Ellen Van Meir, partner in the Dallas office, is adept at coverage, Stowers’ liability and bad faith matters. “She’s a superb lawyer, absolutely superb,” enthuses one source, continuing: “She has so much experience with different types of coverage and claims but also has an innate ability to sift through things and look at the bigger picture.” Ellen is ranked as “Band 2” for Insurance in Texas.

According to the Chambers website, “Chambers USA ranks the leading firms and lawyers in an extensive range of practice areas throughout America. The research is in-depth and client focused and the guide is read by industry-leading companies and organizations throughout the US and worldwide. It is also widely used by firms in all states for referral purposes. Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1-6, with 1 being the best.

Related People

Brian S. Martin
Partner

Brian S. Martin

713-403-8282
Email

Jay A. Thompson
Partner

Jay A. Thompson

512-703-5060
Email

Roger D. Higgins
Partner

Roger D. Higgins

214-871-8256
Email

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