Nicolaides Group Leaves Bates Carey to Form New Insurance Coverage-Focused Law Firm

Twenty-nine attorneys from Chicago-based Bates Carey Nicolaides LLP announced today they have left the firm and have been joined by four attorneys led by Gordon & Rees LLP partner Sara Thorpe to form a new insurance coverage law firm: Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP. The new practice is among the largest U.S. firms focused solely on representing the interests of global insurers, and one of the very few with a majority of female founding partners. 

The firm’s founding partners in Chicago are Richard Nicolaides, Jr., Matthew Fink, Barbara Michaelides and Monica Sullivan. In addition, California founding partner Sara Thorpe will manage offices in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. The group enjoys a broad geographic footprint and reputation, and many of the attorneys have more than 20 years of experience representing both domestic and international insurance companies on a wide range of legal issues. The firm expects to double in size within its first five years. Former Sedgwick Detert staffer Jena Neisler serves as Chief Administrative Officer. 

The firm serves clients’ needs in claims advice, litigation and appeals, risk management and counseling. Its attorneys take on complex insurance disputes in the courtroom and before arbitration panels in the United States and abroad. The firm’s lawyers are experienced in successfully resolving complex disputes in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout the country arising under primary and excess property, commercial, and professional liability policies involving a wide range of exposures.  

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