Lawrence J. Bistany Partner

Larry Bistany has been representing insurance companies in complex coverage matters for over 30 years.  He has significant experience in litigating and arbitrating coverage matters involving professional liability, directors and officers and intellectual property. 

Larry has successfully litigated through appeal a variety of complex coverage issues in federal and state courts across the country.  He works with clients in the first instance to quickly evaluate a claim and determine if a reasonable resolution can be pursued to avoid expensive litigation.  If litigation is unavoidable, Larry works with clients on innovative strategies to reduce litigation expenses.  He is often called upon by his clients to step into existing litigation to use his experience to resolve problems. 

Representative Matters

• Represented D&O insurer in federal court and subsequent appeal to Third Circuit obtaining a declaration of  no coverage and a judgment of $4 million for the return of defense costs
• Represented insurer on one of the first cases in Pennsylvania to uphold claim made and reported provision; summary judgment was upheld on appeal to Third Circuit
• Represented insurer in one of the first reported decisions on coverage under a media/special perils policy with a decision subsequently affirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court
• Represented D&O insurer in Delaware action obtaining ruling for the Delaware Supreme Court granting insurance summary judgment of no coverage
• Represented insurer in successfully overturning prior trial court ruling that it  had a duty to defend in intellectual property case; decision of no coverage was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit

Recognition & Involvement

Larry has been AV® rated by the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating system. In 2012, Larry was named a Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine.

He is a volunteer for the Support Center for Child Advocates, representing children in family court matters.  He also volunteers as a mentor to children who have been removed from their homes.