Hinshaw Law

More About Scott Client & Market Comments/Recognitions

Scott has had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and talented senior management, legal counsel, and insurance and reinsurance claims and litigation professionals in the world and of serving as counsel in precedent-setting cases involving some of the most challenging contemporary coverage and reinsurance issues confronting the insurance industry. He is one of the attorneys spearheading the strategic alliance between Hinshaw and RPC in London, Singapore, and Hong Kong to transform the delivery of legal services in the global insurance market. Scott is also lead for Global Access Lawyers, an alliance of leading worldwide law firms with gravitas representing members of the insurance and financial services industries.
Scott was named to the inaugural list of Midwest Trailblazers by The American Lawyer magazine. The list recognizes 50 professionals from 12 Midwestern states "who have moved the needle in the legal industry" and "are truly agents of change." He was selected for his "high-profile, complex insurance coverage cases nationwide, which resulted in precedent-setting rulings that have altered insurance law."

Client & Market Comments From Chambers USA

Scott is one of only five attorneys representing insurers to receive a Band 1 Ranking for Insurance: Dispute Resolution – Illinois from Chambers USA. According to Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Scott: 
  • Chambers USA states: "Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. Scott is a wonderful, insightful, and kind person who is a pleasure to work with" (2024)
  • "Scott receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes." One client raved "Scott is a great lawyer that does a wonderful job in defending any matter." According to another source, ‘"Scott is a superb reinsurance and insurance coverage lawyer and is among a small group of the most knowledgeable in the industry." Another client described Scott as "a thought leader." (2023)
  • "Receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. 'Scott brings a unique level of energy, insight, creative problem solving, and a genuine focus on the client experience.'" (2022)
  • "Receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. 'He is very knowledgeable and greatly sought after by insurers.'" (2021)
  • "Is described by market sources as a 'real intellectual,' [and] receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, and product liability disputes. Clients appreciate his 'ability to get to the heart of the issues and come up with creative ways to resolve a case.'" (2020)
  • "Co-chairs the firm's insurance department and is lauded for his experience in a variety of coverage disputes. His areas of expertise include toxic tort and environmental matters. Market sources report: 'He is very proactive, extremely intelligent and results-oriented.'" (2019)
  • "Is widely acknowledged for his knowledge across the insurance market, regularly handling complex coverage disputes. One client lauds, 'Scott's expertise is unsurpassed. His ability to present complex issues in a concise and easy-to-understand manner is astounding.'" (2018)
  • "Is highly regarded in the market for his in-depth insurance expertise and is described as both 'extremely gifted' and 'a great attorney.' He is frequently called on to assist with allocation, professional liability and construction defect issues as well as other insurance disputes." (2017)
  • "Has the 'uncanny ability to make the complex understandable,' according to commentators, who point to his superb knowledge in the insurance space. He is highly respected for his robust insurance and reinsurance litigation practice, with sources particularly highlighting that 'he's the expert when it comes to excess and umbrella policies.'" (2016)
  • "'[Is a s]uperior trial lawyer' [and] is experienced in all forms of insurance dispute. According to clients, 'he is a straight shooter who is experienced and knows the issues. We like the results that he gets us.'" (2015)
  • "Is well respected for his longtime experience as a litigator, and he has notable expertise in complex insurance and reinsurance coverage cases. He is also an expert in bad faith insurance matters. Sources describe him as a 'terrific lawyer' and as someone who has the respect of the market." (2014)
  • "Is respected for his expertise in bad faith and reinsurance matters as well as complex insurance coverage cases. He has recently been involved in a series of significant litigation matters and reinsurance arbitrations." (2013)
  • "Department head [with] a fine reputation among clients and peers alike as 'a leading expert in complex insurance coverage issues.' He splits his practice between coverage litigation and reinsurance arbitration work, and earns particular praise from clients for his expertise in asbestos and environmental coverage issues." (2012)
  • "Is an eminent coverage lawyer with extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance, and besides practicing he writes prolifically on both topics." (2011)
  • "Is praised for his specialized experience in complex insurance and reinsurance matters." (2010)

Crain's Chicago Business Names Seaman & Sullivan Notable Leaders In Law

Additionally, in Best Lawyers, clients and colleagues have said:
  • "Scott is an increasingly important member of our panel counsel team for complex coverage matters."
  • Scott "provides thorough, reliable, and timely legal work which is also cost-effective."
  • "I consider Scott . . . to be the country's leading expert in the allocation of losses in complex insurance coverage matters. He possesses comprehensive knowledge of insurance law with a consummate grasp of asbestos and environmental issues. Further, his ability to boil down complicated matters and communicate them in understandable terms (both verbally and in writing) is unsurpassed, and has been enormously helpful to me over the many cases on which we have worked together. While Scott's technical legal abilities are outstanding, his overall business acumen is even more impressive, and his industry knowledge is second to none. He has a unique ability to survey a situation, sum it up succinctly and accurately, and address it in a calm, authoritative manner. He inspires confidence. Lastly, Scott's professional conduct and personal integrity are unquestionable. His commitment to the high standards and values held by my company, as well as his diligence and around the clock availability, has made him an indispensable asset to me."
  • Scott "has a high level of experience in complex insurance and reinsurance matters. He always responds in a timely matter. He is well respected in the legal and local community. He is an excellent legal strategist and exceptional trial lawyer. He is the leading author of the Allocation of Losses in Complex Insurance Coverage Claims, which is a superb reference guide for all claim handlers. He provides practical advice that takes into account the need of a particular matter, as well as the company's portfolio interest."
  • Scott "works harder, writes better, strategizes more thoroughly, and knows more than any other lawyer that I have seen. He is highly effective in the court room (an educator and advocate), in the board room, and at the negotiation table (often disarming the opposition and coming up with creative solutions)."
  • Scott "is a first-rate commercial litigator, trial lawyer, counselor, and strategist. His legal analysis and writings are superior to other lawyers. He is a creative, hard-working, practical, cost-effective, and accessible advocate."
  • "When it comes to insurance coverage, Scott is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the country. He is continually ahead of the curve and ready to tackle any complex legal situation. His willingness to provide guidance and educate in a meaningful way is greatly appreciated. His commitment to his clients and community are second to none."
  • "Scott's extensive experience in the A&E and latent claims coverage arena, coupled with his insightful ability to develop and implement strategic resolutions of high-profile insurance claims, uniquely positions him to complement any claim organization. His treatise 'Allocation of Losses in Complex Insurance Coverage Claims' is a must-have reference book for every corporate legal and risk-management claim department."

Additional Client & Market Comments

“Scott Seaman is a brilliant lawyer. He brings a unique level of energy, insight and creative problem solving, as well as a genuine focus upon the client experience. He is a delight to work with and brings humor and wit to the journey. His level of client service, sophistication and commercial awareness are very strong.” Client “Scott is a top-level coverage attorney with national experience and working knowledge of case law and the landscape in numerous states. He is a very effective advocate and negotiator. His level of client service, sophistication and commercial awareness is very strong.” Client “Scott Seaman's client service and general level of service is very strong. His level of sophistication is very strong. His commercial vision and awareness is very strong. Scott is a great lawyer that does a wonderful job in defending any matter. Scott always works smartly”.Client “I would rate his client service, commercial vision and level of sophistication as very strong. He is a great lawyer. He and his team are very responsive.” Client “Scott Seaman’s level of client service and general level of service, sophistication and commercial awareness is very strong. His knowledge of an incredibly wide range of insurance coverage issues is unparalleled.” Client [The firm’s] “commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives is very strong, as is its commercial awareness, value for money and client service. Their responsiveness, depth and breadth of the team is also very strong. We rely on Scott Seaman, who has a very capable team of other partners and associates. Their ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is very strong.”Client
“We see him regularly. He is a great guy and a good lawyer. He is very smart and active.”Colleague “I am a former chief claims officer for two major U.S. insurers . . . I managed both coverage and reinsurance national claims groups for many years. I also frequently serve as an arbitrator in substantial reinsurance disputes, where Scott and his colleagues have appeared before me. In short, Scott is a superb reinsurance and insurance coverage lawyer who I consider to be among a small group of the most knowledgeable in the industry. Among his many positive traits is a remarkable level of client commitment coupled with superb preparation and understanding of how to successfully address the most complex and difficult issues. His treatise on Allocation of Complex Insurance Claims is a recognized and frequently cited industry standard. . . . I wanted to be sure you were aware of my views on Scott and how highly regarded Scott is among both his clients and competitors.”Arbitrator “I put him in charge of the insurance practice, then got out of his way. He masterfully turned a functional group into the most profitable, well-managed and highly collaborative team in the firm. He established it as one of the preeminent insurance practices in the country. He is a really fine person of high character and I trust him implicitly.”Colleague “Scott Seaman is a wonderfully charismatic man with a tremendous spirit and great sense of humor. He also is a brilliant commercial and insurance coverage trial lawyer and litigator. He is a proficient writer and thought leader in the areas of insurance law and business litigation. He has a natural ease and confidence with clients. He is a keen strategist—it often appears that he is playing chess while other lawyers are playing checkers.”Colleague
“Scott is a superb lawyer representing the insurance industry. Scott is co-chair of Hinshaw & Culbertson’s coverage group. He has represented the insurance industries for 34 years. He is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers, is in Best Lawyers, and is a member of American Bar Foundation, which is limited to the one third of one percent of all of the lawyers in the American Bar Association. He is a prolific writer. He is very entertaining and he is a very skilled advocate.”Opposing Counsel “I didn’t always enjoy my interactions with opposing counsel, but I cannot say that in relation to [Scott]. You were (and I am sure still are) one of the best, most professional and most trusted opposing counsel that I had the pleasure (and I do mean pleasure) to cross swords with.”Opposing Counsel "Scott Seaman can point to a broad range of solid mandates, including handling numerous eight-figure claims for key client." Market Commentator "Inspires a remarkable return of appreciative client feedback, with sources praising his 'intense commitment,' industriousness and overall handling of other parties. " Market Commentator There is no doubt taht Scott Seaman's team is broadly regarded as one of Chicago's preeminent local and national practices." Third Party "Scott Seaman is very bright, impressive and all over the technical side. He is also industrious; he provides high-quaity work very quickly " Third Party "I have a high regard for his legal expertise and acumen. I'm not overly familiar with the Hinshaw firm beyond Scott Seaman. I follow the firm for Scott and not really for any other reason -- he stands out. Scott is efficient, knowledgable, and focused on what matters in the litigation or on the important matters. He has become a great resource for some of the most current insurance topics. The distinction between the firms is because of current topics like social inflation, and Scott knows the old coverage issues and is also up to date on the current topics. Client Individually, Scott is considered a genuine insurance coverage expert in disputes arising out of mass torts and complex direct insurance and reinsurance claims. What sets him apart in my experience is his intense commitment to his client's definition of success and development of a thorough case-specific strategy designed to achieve it. Scott is thoroughly prepared at hearing and proceedings -- I've never seen him caught off guard. His grasp and knowledge of relevant case law is among the best of those with whom I've worked. I not only regard Scott and his team to be genuine pros, but it is clear his clients regard him as very easy to collaberate with. In short, Scott's high-level subject matter expertise and dogged determination set him apart as among the best advocates I've had the pleasure to work with." Third Party "Scott Seaman has done a great job. He is a good negotiator, able to identify issues quickly, has good rapport with other parties and is able to get information in a non-confrontational way." Client "Scott Seaman knows the industry very well. He is knowlegeable on the issues." Market Commentator

Professional Background

Prior to joining Hinshaw, Scott was a partner in a litigation firm headquartered in Chicago, where he served as chairman of that firm's national insurance coverage litigation and counseling practice. He began his legal career at the international firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom and was a member of its general litigation and products liability and insurance coverage practice groups. Scott graduated magna cum laude and first in his law school class from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. He served as an editor of the Loyola University School of Chicago Law Journal. Scott was a recipient of the Illinois Lawyers Auxiliary Scholarship, the Loyola Leadership and Service Award, the Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Award, the Judge John C. Hayes Award, the Thomas L. Owens Award, and the Judge John V. McCormack Award. He received his bachelor's with honors from Barat College.

Past & Present Professional Organization Affiliations

  • ARIAS US, Member
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Co-Chair, Reinsurance Runoff Advisory Board
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Member & Past Vice-Chair
  • Litigation Section, Member
  • Litigation Section Business Interruption Insurance Subcommittee, Past Co-Chair
  • DRI, Member,
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Member
  • Insurance Committee, Member
  • Commercial Litigation Committee, Member
  • International Law Committee, Member
  • Climate Change Litigation Task Force, Member
  • Business Torts SLG, Member
  • Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Member
  • Trial Law Institute, Member
  • Diversity Law Institute, Member
  • Order of Veritas, Barrister
  • Order of Certus, Advocate
  • Leading Lawyers, Former Advisory Board Member

Honors, Recognitions, & Awards

  • Midwest Trailblazer, The American Lawyer, 2021
  • Insurance & Business Lawyer of the Year, 2024 (USA) Chairperson Awards
  • Top Author (#1) in Insurance, J.D. Supra Readers' Choice Awards, 2022 and 2023
  • Top Author in Insurance, J.D. Supra Readers' Choice Awards, 2021 - Present
  • Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Since 2010)
  • Named to Crain's Chicago Business 2024 Notable Leaders in Law
  • Insurance: Dispute Resolution – Illinois (Ranking; Band 1)®
  • Preeminent 5.0/5.0 Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell, Its Highest Rating for Ethics & Legal Ability, 1999–Present
  • Selected by His Peers for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Insurance Law & Litigation – Insurance (Since 2020)
  • 2022 International Advisory Award Insurance – Illinois
  • Recognized by His Peers as a "Leading Lawyer" in the Areas of Commercial Litigation & Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law, 2009–Present
  • American College of Coverage Counsel, Fellow, 2013–Present
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2021–Present
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2019–Present
  • Euromoney Legal Media Group, Expert Guides: "World's Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers" 2018–Present
  • Insurance & Reinsurance Litigator of 2013 – North America, InterContinental Finance Magazine Continent Awards
  • Insurance & Reinsurance – Lawyer of the Year – USA, Finance Monthly, 2018
  • Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois, Corporate Int'l Magazine, 2014–2017
  • Illinois Lawyer of the Year – Litigation, Corporate LiveWire, 2013 & 2014
  • The International Who's Who of Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers, 2014–Present
  • Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders – Insurance & Reinsurance, 2019–Present
  • America's Most Honored Professionals
  • Insurance Law – Lawyer of the Year (Illinois), Corporate INTL Legal Awards, 2013
  • Leading Lawyers Award (Insurance & Reinsurance North America), Lawyers World, 2012 & 2013
  • ICFM Leading Lawyers 500
  • Recognized on the Super Lawyers List by Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine, 2005–Present
  • Premier 500, Lawyers World, 2015
  • Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois, Global Law Expert Practice Awards, 2014 - 2016
  • Top Lawyers in the World, Legal Comprehensive, 2016–2017
  • Excellence in Commercial Litigation – Illinois, Corporate Insider, 2017

Representative Matters

Scott has been involved in many high-profile insurance coverage cases and has also been counsel in significant confidential reinsurance arbitrations. A selection of his representative matters includes:
  • An asbestos reinsurance case resulting in a landmark allocation ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
  • An asbestos and environmental coverage action resulting in a key number of occurrences ruling by New York's highest court.
  • A Delaware Supreme Court decision enforcing tobacco exclusions.
  • Multiple non-products coverage and asbestos bankruptcy matters.
  • A Florida appellate court decision affirming a ruling that defective construction is not an "occurrence."
  • A reversal of an $11 million bad faith/punitive damages verdict in California.
  • An Illinois environmental coverage action resulting in a favorable late notice ruling and a Supreme Court decision finding that insurers' due process rights were violated.
  • A coverage action in the Northern District of Illinois and Seventh Circuit resulting in favorable rulings on expert and pollution exclusion issues.
  • Rights and obligations in connection with a multi-billion-dollar reinsurance pooling arrangement.

Insurance Law Episodes