Judith A. Selby practices in the area of commercial litigation with a concentration on insurance counseling and coverage litigation, including international arbitration of complex pharmaceutical coverage claims.

Admitted to practice in New York, the District of Columbia, California and Oregon, Ms. Selby is a 1992 graduate of Brooklyn Law School and a graduate of the College of Mount St. Vincent.

Representative Matters

Represented insurers in coverage disputes with policyholders in pharmaceutical and healthcare-related industries. Handled cases involving allegations of misrepresentation and expectation of injury from various products. Litigated issues relating to "Bermuda form" policies and bodily injury claims with exposures ranging from millions to billions of dollars. Acted as advocate in international arbitrations in London.
Litigated environmental coverage issues relating to pre-pollution and post-pollution exclusion clauses for insurer. After 10-week trial, won verdict that essentially resulted in avoidance of nearly $300 million in claims.
Represented insurer in defense of allegations of bad faith denial of business interruption claims. Won appeal that resulted in zero recovery for plaintiff on $10 million claim.
Handled pharmaceutical coverage arbitration in London that lasted for three weeks and involved cutting-edge issues in pharmaceutical insurance coverage.
Represented insurers in various toxic tort coverage cases involving massive amounts of alleged property damage. Advocated for clients before arbitration panels and judges.
Served as independent counsel to special litigation committee of board of directors for Fortune 500 company accused of shareholder fraud. Retained by special committee to investigate and make recommendations regarding settlement with directors and officers liability insurance carriers. Case involved allegations of securities fraud, inadequate disclosures, collusion with accounting professionals, and other criminal conduct.
Hired and worked with high level expert witnesses in matters of claims assessment and analysis for clients involved in complex cases with questionable exposures.

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute

Admissions

New York
District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Central and Eastern Districts of California

Education

Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 1992
College of Mount Saint Vincent, B.S., 1980

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2008-present
- Counsel, 2005-2007
Gibbons Del Deo Dolan Griffinger & Vecchione
- Of Counsel, 2001-2005
Jackson & Campbell
- Director, 2000
- Associate, 1998-2000
- Associate, 1995-1997
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
- Associate, 1997-1998
Bullivant Houser Bailey
- Associate, 1992-1995
- Law Clerk, 1991-1992

Civic and Charitable Activities

New York County Democratic County Committee
Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors
Human Rights Campaign's Greater New York Fundraising Dinners
- Co-Chair, 2002-2003
New York County Judicial Delegate Alternate
- Elected, 2001-2002
Empire State Pride Agenda Board of Directors

Selected Publications

Co-Author, "The Sexual Abuse Claim - Is it Covered?" Defense Research Institute, Fall 1991