Media Mentions
2011
“Sex Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendments Challenge Insurers”
Claims Journal, May 26, 2011
Ryan Smethurst observed that for, insurers of religious organizations, clergy sex abuse claims “raise a host of issues not unlike complex insurance coverage litigation relating to, for example, environmental or asbestos litigation,” because of what a lapse of years does to evidence. In states that extend the statute of limitations for filing childhood abuse claims, he noted, “the cases can be very hard to defend because oftentimes the perpetrator of the abuse is deceased, other witnesses may also be deceased or aged, and .. often there isn’t much tangible evidence for the defendants to present to defeat the plaintiff’s claims.”
“McDermott Wins Asylum for Ethiopian Political Prisoner”
American Lawyer, May 3, 2011
Ryan Smethurst discussed his successful pro bono asylum case for a member of an Ethiopian ethnic minority who was imprisoned and tortured for his political beliefs, then escaped to Kenya and lived there for two years before coming to the U.S. Mr. Smethurst demonstrated that this did not meet the “firm resettlement” argument used by immigration officials to oppose asylum, and summarized: “[T]his is a case about someone who was persecuted because he supported democracy and because of his ethnicity. And, in today’s international climate, it’s increasingly important for the major law firms in the United States to seek out and represent these kinds of clients who support our democratic values.”
“Rising Star: McDermott's Ryan Smethurst”
Law360, March 31, 2011
Ryan Smethurst was recognized as "one of five insurance attorneys under 40 to watch" for his role as lead drafter in the $712.5 million insurance settlement with World Trade Center cleanup workers who claimed illnesses from their post 9/11 activity. Mr. Smethurst called the case “a mass tort that really is unprecedented,” and Margaret Warner, head of McDermott’s WTC team and Insurance practice, praised him for being “creative and meticulous at the same time.” Mr. Smethurst also works with major insurance clients who, as he says, “have high expectations, and it's both challenging and fun professionally to be able to deliver for them.”
“Law360 Insurance Editorial Advisory Board”
Law360, February 2, 2011
Ryan Smethurst has been named to the board of leading insurance law professionals who will provide editorial guidance to Law360 during 2011. Mr. Smethurst, partner in the Washington office, counsels clients nationwide regarding insurance and reinsurance disputes, including high-profile mass torts.
Ryan S. Smethurst, Insurance, Trial
2010
“Big Suits”
The American Lawyer, September 2010
Margaret Warner was cited and pictured in American Lawyer’s “Big Suits” column concerning her work In re WTC Disaster Site Litigation. Judge Alvin Hellerstein approved a renegotiated settlement of lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who suffered respiratory and other illnesses following the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Ms. Warner, Mark Collins, Ryan Smethurst and Andrew Genz represented defendant, The WTC Captive Insurance Company, Inc.
Mark A. Collins, Andrew J. Genz, Ryan S. Smethurst, Margaret H. Warner, Insurance Disputes, Trial
2009
Ryan Smethurst was quoted on March 18 by Law360 regarding a Swiss Re report that economies and businesses in Asia face a high risk of catastrophic losses. China had tremendous financial losses in 2008 due to natural disasters, causing great financial risks to governments in Asia. These risks will give rise to the development of insurance...to cope with the financial consequences of catastrophes. Mr. Smethurst said, "Unmet first- and third-party insurance needs in Asia are on the rise….The tragic 2008 earthquake in Sichuan...may have provided last year's most stark example of uninsured first-party risk, as Swiss Re notes, but the liability insurance market in China also remains underdeveloped and underutilized….As with the need for increased capacity, the development of refined policy provisions and a broader acceptance of insurance as a hedge against loss are needed to help restore recent damage to the Chinese economy."
