Dennis O’Connell’s practice concentrates in the areas of insurance coverage, counseling and disputes, product liability and toxic tort defense. He has particular experience in commercial casualty, general liability, directors and officers, and professional liability insurance, aircraft accidents and fire losses.
Mr. O’Connell’s insurance practice involves counseling, policy drafting, negotiation and interpretation of coverage and mediation, arbitration and litigation arising out of disputes involving all types of commercial, professional and personal insurance and reinsurance. In particular, he has handled claims and litigation on behalf of insureds in coverage disputes arising out of commercial property and business interruption losses, comprehensive general and product liability claims, employer liability and errors and omissions claims for a wide variety of clients, including product manufacturers, aircraft operators, mining companies, banks, pharmaceutical companies, retail store operations and metal refineries. He also has experience in dealing with insurance insolvencies and protection of insureds in the event of the liquidation of an insurer.
Mr. O’Connell is a member of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section and the Insurance Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association.
Select Representations
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Coverage counsel to Fortune 100 companies providing general advice and counsel in developing and negotiating policy terms and coverages
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Representation of major mining company for coverage of property losses and business interruption associated with underground mine fire resulting in full recovery
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Representation of chain store operator in a dispute with its insurer regarding business interruption claim resulting in full recovery
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Coverage counsel to major provider of medical services to correctional institutions providing both advice and counsel on coverages, as well as litigation and dispute resolution services
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Representation of major mining company in litigation with primary and excess insurers for coverage of multimillion dollar loss resulting in full recovery
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Coverage counsel for a solvents manufacturer in successful resolution of dispute with multiple carriers involving multiple policies of insurance for personal injury claims
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Representation of pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation to recover amount paid to settle disparagement claim resulting in multimillion dollar verdict for the insured
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Representation of various insureds in connection with insurance insolvencies
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Coverage counsel to Fortune 100 company in negotiation and drafting terms of reinsurance agreements between captive reinsurer and primary carriers
Bar and Court Admissions
Missouri, 1969
United States Courts of Appeals for the Eighth and Tenth Circuits, and the Armed Forces
United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri and Southern District of Illinois
Education
Saint Louis University, J.D., 1969
University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1966