PROFESSIONALS

Monica T. Sullivan

Partner
blank image Monica T. Sullivan
10 South Wacker Drive
36th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606, US

T: 312.585.1460 F: 312.585.1401
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Biography
BIOGRAPHY
Monica focuses her practice on insurance coverage litigation and arbitration, maintaining an international client base that seeks her counsel on matters including pharmaceutical claims, environmental claims, construction claims, and product liability issues. 
Monica’s diversified experience includes counseling clients in claims administration and policy analysis matters, as well as representing clients in complex disputes in various subject areas, such as commercial general liability, commercial litigation, counseling and risk management, managed care and healthcare, and professional liability.
 
Monica brings extensive experience to the Bermuda market, where she has served as U.S. claims counsel to Bermuda insurers for over 20 years. In this capacity, she has managed arbitrations domestically and abroad. 
 
In addition to her litigation and coverage practice, Monica regularly conducts lectures and training seminars for claims and underwriting staff on emerging insurance coverage issues, jurisdictional concerns, and best practices for claims handling.
Simply put, our clients come first. We love untangling a complex coverage case and securing a successful result, whether through litigation, arbitration or negotiation. Our hard working team has a proven track record of favorable results.

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • American College of Coverage Counsel 
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Awards & Rankings

  • Chambers USA, Insurance: Dispute Resolution (Illinois), 2020 — present
  • Crain's Notable Women in Law, Crain's Chicago Business, 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance), Best Lawyers®, 2019 – present
  • Illinois Super Lawyers® (Insurance Coverage), 2019 – present
  • Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year (Insurance Law, Chicago), 2023
  • Business Edition of Women in the Law, Best Lawyers®, 2022

Before Nicolaides

Before joining the firm, Monica was a partner in another Chicago-based coverage firm for 15 years. Before that, she worked as an associate at Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney & Priess and then Bates, Meckler, Bulger & Tilson, focusing on insurance coverage and general commercial litigation.

EXPERIENCE
  • Secured arbitration ruling favoring insurers in coverage dispute arising from pharmaceutical product liability.
  • Negotiated favorable settlement in case involving numerous underlying class actions seeking recovery for third-party property damage from a Fortune 100 company.
  • Represented several Bermuda insurers implicated in underlying actions arising from gadolinium-based contrast agents.
  • Negotiated favorable settlement with Fortune 500 company over coverage for costs associated with a voluntary frozen food recall.
  • Secured favorable rulings for insurers relative to underlying nursing home and healthcare cases, including class actions related to understaffing and patient care.
  • Secured favorable coverage ruling for insurer in connection with injury and death claims against international trucking company.
  • Negotiated favorable settlement during English court proceedings with a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company.
  • Successfully represented insurer in coverage dispute involving insured's knowledge of risks associated with its birth-control product.
  • Represented multiple Bermuda insurers in claims involving zinc-containing denture cream.
  • Represented domestic insurer in coverage disputes involving pollution and remedial actions.
INSIGHTS

ADDITIONAL SPEAKING & WRITING

  • Presenter, "The Illusory Coverage Doctrine: Going Beyond the 'Plain Language' of the Policy," American College of Coverage Counsel's Annual Meeting, September 2021
  • Panelist, American Bar Association’s (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance (TIPS) Continuing Legal Education Seminar, January 2017
  • "Legal Issues Arising Out of the Relationship Between Underwriters and Claims Personnel," CLM Chapter Event, Bermuda, November 2016
  • "Bermuda Form Issues and Arbitration," Insurance Coverage & Practice Symposium in New York, New York, December 2014
  • "Understanding the Bermuda Market," Continuing Legal Education, May 2013
  • "Relevant Issues in Bermuda Form Pharma Claims," November 2012
  • "Hot Topics in Insurance Coverage Law, Including Illinois Nuances," Continuing Legal Education, November 2011
  • "Minimizing Ethical & Legal Tensions Between Insurer and Insured," Continuing Legal Education, April 2006
NEWS