Chris Bator

Counsel

Cleveland
T +1.216.861.7372
F +1.216.696.0740

Overview

With more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, Chris Bator focuses on advising clients concerning insurance coverage issues and the resolution of coverage disputes. He is involved in the litigation, arbitration and mediation of insurance coverage disputes in state and federal forums. Chris has experience on both sides of insurance issues, having counseled and represented policyholders as well as insurance carriers, thus providing unique insight to clients.

Chris is certified as a specialist in insurance coverage law by the Ohio State Bar Association and a fellow in the American College of Coverage Counsel.

Select Experience

  • Assisted in analyzing insurance coverages and avenues for recovery in major bankruptcy proceeding.

  • Assisted in obtaining benefits under event cancellation insurance policies for Covid-19-related losses.

  • Working to obtain full benefits under cyber loss and excess policies for an airline that suffered loss of income and other damages as a result of a computer system failure.

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Experience

  • Assisted in analyzing insurance coverages and avenues for recovery in major bankruptcy proceeding.

  • Assisted in obtaining benefits under event cancellation insurance policies for Covid-19-related losses.

  • Working to obtain full benefits under cyber loss and excess policies for an airline that suffered loss of income and other damages as a result of a computer system failure.

  • Represented a captive carrier (domiciled outside the U.S.) of a U.S. corporation in various coverage disputes with reinsurers, including claims concerning damages arising out of alleged participation in a conspiracy in violation of U.S. and foreign laws, claims with reinsurers over substantial real and personal property damages, and claim for payment of a foreign tax liability.

  • Defended a life insurance carrier in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraud with respect to calculation of policy premiums.

  • Obtained substantial insurance recovery for company that suffered loss of income due to hurricane damage.

  • Obtained reimbursement under a liability policy for attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by a client in responding to and defending against a governmental criminal investigation.

  • Obtained substantial recovery for a hospital under a crime loss policy for employee theft.

  • Representing and providing coverage analysis to a mutual insurance company with respect to various claims made by policyholders sued for alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

  • Representing client in coverage litigation with crime and D&O insurance carrier for failing to provide policy benefits for claims involving theft and unauthorized contracts by a rogue employee.

  • Worked to obtain policy benefits for a large trucking company in class action lawsuits alleging racial discrimination. Company's insurance carrier had denied coverage for lawsuits based on the policy's prior-knowledge exclusion and other conditions and terms in the policy. Coverage dispute involved a “Bermuda Form” arbitration provision requiring arbitration to take place in London, England, pursuant to English procedural rules with application of New York substantive law. Although arbitration commenced, the matter settled in favor of the client.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Ohio State Bar Association: Certified Specialist in Insurance Coverage Law
  • Fellow, American College of Coverage Counsel

Memberships

  • Catholic Lawyers Guild
  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: Insurance Law Section
  • Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys

Community

  • Karate Instructor (Black Belt in Karate-Do Kajukenpo Karate)

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1987
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2016
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2015
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 2015
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 1987
  • Ohio, 1987

Education

  • J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 1987, cum laude
  • B.A., John Carroll University, 1984, magna cum laude