Margaret H. Warner is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Peg is the leader of the Controversies Business Unit. In this capacity, she oversees the Firm’s international practices in Trial, Intellectual Property Litigation, Intellectual Property Transactions, and White-Collar & Securities Defense. She also is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee.
For 30 years, Peg has represented clients in the mass tort and insurance arenas, gaining international prominence as an industry advisor. She was recognized as a leading litigator in the 2006-2011 editions of Chambers USA. The 2007 edition noted that Peg “has an impressive profile in the market.” Chambers reported that Peg is regarded “as good as anyone in the country at insurance matters, delivering real world advice in a prompt, efficient way.” Furthermore, says the Chambers rating, “Peers admit that she makes ‘a fearfully good litigator’ on the other side.” Chambers USA 2008 stated: “Peg Warner is an intimidating figure in the market. ‘Knowledgeable, assertive and in tune with clients’ needs,’ she excels at complex litigation and arbitration.” Chambers USA 2010 stated that she “has a reputation for being a ‘hard-nosed, no-nonsense and smart litigator.’” Chambers USA 2011 called Peg "highly responsive, very practical and well respected." Peg is named a leading national lawyer in Benchmark Litigation, The Best Lawyers of America Washington DC and Super Lawyers. In 2008, she was named by Business Insurance as one of its 25 international Women to Watch. Peg was also ranked as a leading lawyer in her field by The Legal 500 United States. Peg is also recognized in the Insurance and Reinsurance section of Who’s Who Legal 2012, an international publication affiliated with the International Bar Association.
Representative Experience Includes:
Peg has served as lead counsel in trial and appellate courts in 25 states. She has tried numerous cases to juries, judges and arbitration panels. Her experience includes cases involving Agent Orange; environmental liabilities, including Love Canal and Superfund cases; silicone gel breast implants; asbestos; numerous other products; and virtually all lines of insurance.
Trial and Appellate Counsel
- Lead counsel who negotiated and secured court approval of the landmark settlement of over 10,000 environmental tort cases against the City of New York and scores of private contractors that undertook rescue, recovery and debris removal operations after the 9/11 terrorist attack. In Re World Trade Center Disaster Site Litigation (SDNY).
- Lead insurance counsel who negotiated the settlement of over 600 sexual abuse cases involving the Roman Catholic church in California. The Clergy Cases I (Superior Court of CA, County of Los Angeles).
- Lead counsel who won summary judgment and then nine figure settlements of insurance coverage claims relating to the 9/11 terrorist attack.
- Lead trial counsel in four month jury trial addressing insurance coverage for silicon gel breast implant liability. First State Insurance Co., et al. v Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., et al. (District Court, Ramsey County, MN).
- Lead arbitration counsel in numerous insurance and reinsurance arbitrations involving 9/11, sexual abuse, environmental damages, products liability and asbestos issues.
- Lead trial and appellate counsel for sole primary insurer in $750 million environmental insurance coverage case stemming from PCB-contaminated interstate gas pipeline. Court-appointed liaison counsel. Argued and obtained no coverage ruling on summary judgment and on appeal. In re Texas Eastern (3rd Cir. MDL).
- Lead counsel in the Love Canal insurance coverage litigation. Engaged one year before trial, after seventeen years of pre-trial proceedings, to direct trial preparation and presentation. Favorable settlement concluded. Occidental Chemical Corp v. Home Ins. Co., et al. (NY).
- Lead trial counsel in breast implant insurance coverage case in East Texas. Favorable settlement during trial. Bristol-Myers Squibb v. AIU Ins. Co. (TX).
National Coordinating Counsel
- National counsel to major property & casualty insurers for environmental, mass tort, sexual abuse and D&O claims. Provide advice on national claims and coverage positions.
- Developed and coordinated national coverage positions on key policy language, worked with underwriters on policy wording and analyzed insurance law in all fifty states.
Strategic Counseling
- Counsel for international liquidators of insolvent insurer facing $3 billion of environmental claims. Extensive underwriting analysis, claims investigation and legal evaluation involving hundreds of hazardous waste sites.
- Appointed by senior management of major property & casualty insurer to manage due diligence inquiries attendant to acquisition. Evaluated company-wide exposure for environmental and long-tail liabilities.
- Extensive representation of captive insurance entities in underwriting, claims and reinsurance practices.
- Developed strategies for presentations by insurer executives to insurance regulators and rating agencies concerning environmental and long-tail liabilities.
- Counsel to major professional sports leagues in development and negotiation of league-wide and disability insurance programs.
Education
- University of Notre Dame, J.D., 1981
- St. Lawrence University, B.A. (cum laude), 1978
