Laura J. Grabouski
Partner
Biography
BIOGRAPHY
Laura litigates complex coverage disputes under third-party liability insurance policies with specific emphasis on additional insured, insured contract, and statutory anti-indemnity schemes, as well as allocation, contribution, and primary/excess disputes. Laura routinely provides guidance on extra-contractual and Stowers claims. Laura also litigates first-party property and bad faith claims including business income losses. Laura supports our insurance coverage team by counseling clients on risk avoidance strategies and handling complex litigation. Laura keeps clients apprised of the changing legal landscape through individual training and white papers and frequently speaks and writes on insurance coverage litigation and bad faith avoidance.
“No surprises! As your lawyer, I will implement strategies to guide your matter to resolution and keep you informed in real time.”
Memberships
- Texas Bar College, Member
- CLM, Member
- Women in Cyber Leadership, Member
- Austin Bar Association Board of Directors, Past Director
- Texas State Bar, Litigation & Insurance Law sections
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
- Co-Chair of Austin Bench Bar Conference 2010; Co-Chair of CLE Committee 2010-11
- Committee Member and Past Chair, Austin Diocese Red Mass Committee
Awards & Rankings
- Board-certified in Insurance Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2024
- The Best Lawyers in America® (Insurance Law and Litigation – Insurance), Best Lawyers®, 2022 –present
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV-rated, 2015-2020
- Law & Politics and Texas Monthly, Rising Star, 2006 – 2010
Before Nicolaides
Laura began her insurance coverage practice at a large, full-service firm before being recruited to a boutique insurance coverage firm in Austin, Texas. Her experience has continued at large, multi-state law firms where she has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts both in and beyond Texas, including multiple appellate matters.Outside Nicolaides
Laura loves spending time with her husband and children learning, cooking, and traveling together.EXPERIENCE
- Obtained dismissal of all claims against the client for additional insured and insured contract coverage in construction defect matter on the basis of choice of law and a statutory anti-indemnity act.
- Obtained summary judgment of all extra-contractual claims in first-party suit based on the bona fide coverage dispute doctrine.
- Successfully avoided motion to remand in novel question presented by adoption of Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542A, anticipating ultimate holding by United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on the issue.
- Obtained summary judgment on all claims by successfully arguing anti-concurrent causation exclusion in flood/wind dispute.
- Quoted as authority on Coverage B- “advertising injury” by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
INSIGHTS
ADDITIONAL SPEAKING & WRITING
“UM/UIM Litigation Has Been on a Wild Ride: Where Did We End Up?” Journal of Tex. Ins. Law, Winter 2024“Texas Storms Drive Coverage Litigation and Key Rulings,” LAW360, August 31, 2023
“What to Know about Duty to Settle Insurance Claims in Texas,” LAW360, August 14, 2023
“Extra-contractual Damages for Breach of the Duty to Defend,” IRMI, August 2022
“Sticky Situations: New Decisions Create New Risks in Defending & Settling Third-Party Liability Claims,” IRMI, June 2021
“Current Controversies over Personal & Advertising Injury Coverage,” Ins. Coverage Litigation, 2014
"Evolution of Insurance Coverage for Intellectual Property Litigation," American Bar Assn,
Insurance Coverage, Mar. 2020 (co-author, K. Kalinich)
“Driverless Cars are Disrupting Norms and Legal Standards,” Texas Bar J., April 1, 2019
“How the Sharing Economy is Rewiring Claims,” A.M. Best webinar, Dec. 2018
“Is a Consensus Developing on Computer Fraud Coverage for Email Schemes?” Coverage,
American Bar Assn, Oct. 31, 2018
“Hurricane Harvey’s Impact on Insurance Claims,” A.M. Best podcast, May 2018
“Menchaca, the Sequel,” Journal of Tex. Ins. Law, Aug. 2018
“Fifth Circuit Reverses Course on Deference Afforded to Administrators in ERISA Benefit
Disputes,” American Bar Assn, Insurance Coverage (online articles), Mar. 30, 2018
“Are Policy Proceeds Actual Damages for Violations of the Insurance Code? The Texas
Supreme Court in Menchaca says: ‘Yes-If Claim is Covered,” Journal of Tex. Ins. Law, June 2017
“Appraisal—If, When and How—A Procedural and Practical Look from Both Sides,” University of Texas CLE, Insurance Law, Nov. 2016