David M. Alt is a multifaceted attorney who has represented clients in some of the nation’s most high-profile cases involving insurance, railroads, financial services, construction, professional liability, premises liability and products liability. He has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago on multiple occasions as a “Notable Leader” in the Chicago bar and is routinely recognized for his national practice, having appeared in courts in 25 states.
Early in his career, David “cut his teeth” on some of the largest and most complicated transportation claims involving railroads, heavy trucks and traffic control accidents. While he continues that practice, his practice has expanded over the last twenty years to focus on significant nationwide representation of insurers in complex coverage disputes, bad faith actions and high-exposure claims assessment and monitoring. His clients request that he deploy to provide advice and litigate in inhospitable jurisdictions with aggressive plaintiffs’ lawyers and/or seasoned policyholder counsel. He has particular experience collaborating with insurers to advance coverage defenses in complicated underlying actions, oftentimes involving federal multi-district litigation.
In addition to his litigation practice, David serves as regional and national counsel to a diverse set of companies with unique nationwide risks, relying on him to identify and manage local lawyers as an extension of the client’s team. For example, several insurance companies rely upon David to coordinate and oversee all of their cases involving allegations that they engaged in bad faith handling of claims. Several railroads rely on him to be available 24/7 to help them navigate immediate risk management issues.
David serves as BatesCarey’s hiring partner and co-chair of the associate committee. In this capacity, he oversees the hiring and development of the firm’s growing partner and associate ranks.
He is a frequent speaker for the Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), several railroad associations and local and national bar associations. He also spends countless hours with community organizations, particularly coaching youth sports. In his free time, he enjoys training for and competing in Olympic distance triathlons and working on his very average golf game.
Representative Matters |
Brettman v. Vela et al., The professional liability carrier defending this lawsuit was facing six-figure defense costs that were expected to potentially triple and a multi-million dollar settlement demand from the plaintiff. The carrier retained David to coordinate the defense of the lawsuit, position the case strategically for settlement, and aggressively negotiate with the plaintiff’s attorney. Within months, David settled the matter for a nominal amount thereby extinguishing the insurer’s defense costs, extricating the insured from a potentially seven-figure liability, and saving the insurer potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. Confidential Pre-Suit Mediation, London-based insurer retained David to seek recovery from a Chicago law firm who, without authority from the insurer, bound the insurer to a binding arbitration and resultant non-appealable seven-figure award. David provided the law firm with a draft complaint, demanded immediate mediation to minimize legal fees, and ultimately secured a seven-figure settlement from the law firm. Schulte v. Iowa Interstate, Obtained defense verdict in favor of a railroad contractor in personal injury case after a three-week jury trial. Waste Management Recycle America, Inc. v. Shawn Lavin, After a five-day bench trial and subsequent appeal to the Illinois Court of Appeals, established the validity of a covenant not to compete in the employment contract of a former senior level executive of our client. Selective Ins. Co. v. City of Paris, Obtained summary judgment for one of city's liability insurance companies, proving that the insurer's policy did not cover a claim brought by two men convicted of murder, but released after 16 years. Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. American Re-Insurance Co., Court enters summary judgment in favor of reinsurer and against ceding company and broker who failed to properly procure reinsurance or obtain special acceptance from the reinsurer to provide reinsurance for long-haul trucking risk. EnergyNorth Natural Gas Co. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, In a matter of first impression, the New Hampshire Supreme Court unanimously adopted pro rata allocation for long-term environmental pollution claims. Essex Ins. Co. v. City of Chicago, Obtained summary judgment based on no additional insured coverage where claim did not arise out of the named insured's work. Wilson v. Leitner, Defense verdict at conclusion of plaintiff's case in professional liability suit against CPA brought by former clients who had been penalized by IRS for underpayment of taxes and improper accounting practices. |
Presentations |
Additional Insured and Contractual Indemnity Overview, Client Seminar (February 2025) |