Vincent J. Vitkowsky
Vince represents insurers and reinsurers in significant reinsurance and coverage disputes across all lines of business, and in their general commercial arbitration and litigation. He is also active in international commercial arbitration in many industries.
Vince has been recognized by clients and practitioners in the following: The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers(identifying him on its list of the 12 "Most Highly Regarded Individuals - Global" in insurance and reinsurance and describing him as "always the first port of call" and as "having exceptional ability in the insurance market"); Chambers America's Leading Lawyers for Business (describing him as "a well-prepared operator" and noting that "clients appreciate his intelligence and tactics, which make a tough case seem a lot more manageable"); New York Superlawyers; Superlawyers Corporate Counsel Edition; The Best Lawyers In America; and Euromoney's Best of the Best.
Vince's practice includes representing clients in reinsurance disputes in all lines of business, addressing commonly recurring issues as well as unique points of contract interpretation. This includes representing parties in disputes concerning catastrophe bonds. Vince represents direct insurers in coverage matters in various lines, including for example, financial institutions, entertainment, energy and professional liability. His experience in general commercial litigation includes post-acquisition purchase price disputes, business torts, disputes with managing general agents, antitrust, breach of trade secrets, unfair competition and wrongful termination. His matters have arisen in contexts such as September 11, Enron, hurricanes and insurance company insolvencies.
Vince serves as counsel or arbitrator in international commercial disputes in many industries, and is a member of the Panels of the AAA International Centre for Dispute Resolution and the London Court of International Arbitration. He has represented clients in successful mediations with dollar values in the millions and hundreds of millions. He is a founding member of REMEDI, the Re/Insurance Mediation Institute, and serves as its pro bono outside general counsel.
Vince also has a special skill set at the intersection of insurance and reinsurance law, coverage, terrorism, international and national security law, public international law, and public policy. His private practice includes issues concerning the responsibilities and liabilities of insurers and insureds arising from the Alien Tort Statute, the Antiterrorism Act, the Torture Victims Protections Act, the Patriot Act, FinCEN rules, OFAC regulations and trade sanctions. In addition to his work for private clients, he engages in public advocacy on the international and domestic law relating to terrorism, armed conflict, customary international law, the legal structure for counterterrorism and the relationship between the U.S. Constitution and international law. His articles and commentary have appeared in scholarly journals and old and new media, and he has spoken at conferences and symposia organized by bar associations, international law organizations, law schools and public policy groups. He is an Adjunct Fellow at the Center of Law and Counterterrorism of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. He also serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Federalist Society's International and National Security Law Practice Group.