Industry
Insurance for Law Firms
Law firms hold privileged communications, case files, and client funds. One malpractice claim, one data breach, or one partner dispute can create exposure that goes well beyond your current coverage. I read every page of the policy and make sure the definitions match your practice.
Coverage your firm needs
Legal Malpractice / E&O
Covers claims when your legal work causes a client financial harm. The policy definition of "professional services" controls what practice areas are covered. If it says "litigation and corporate law" and you expand into estate planning, that new work may not be covered.
Cyber Insurance
Law firms are high-value targets because they hold privileged communications and confidential case files for many clients at once. One breach affects every client whose data you hold. Covers data breach response, ransomware, business interruption, and regulatory defense.
D&O Insurance
Protects partners and officers personally when they face claims related to firm management. Partner disputes, departing partner issues, regulatory investigations, and employment claims against the partnership.
General Liability & Business Insurance
General liability, workers comp, BOP, and umbrella coverage. Most leases and client contracts require GL at $1M/$2M. These lines are more straightforward, but they still need to coordinate with your specialty coverage.
What I check that many brokers skip
- Practice area definitions. Your malpractice policy lists the practice areas it covers. If your firm expanded or added a specialty, the policy may not have kept up.
- Prior acts and retroactive dates. If you switched carriers or renewed with new terms, the retroactive date may have moved forward. That gap can leave you exposed on past matters.
- Duty to defend vs. duty to indemnify. Duty to defend means the carrier pays for your defense from the start. Duty to indemnify means they reimburse you later. The difference matters when you need defense counsel immediately.
- Cyber coverage for bar complaints. A data breach can trigger bar regulatory proceedings. I check whether your cyber policy covers the legal costs of responding to bar inquiries, not just the breach.