(White Plains, NY) (October 14, 2024)- Wood Smith Henning & Berman is excited to announce that it has added new partner, Nicole Koumasidis, to further bolster its national practice teams in the areas of employment, professional liability and coverage practices. Nicole's unique background working first as a defense attorney on the law firm side and then as a complex claims manager on the insurance company side will strengthen the firm's capabilities in handling high stakes insurance and liability matters.
"I am thrilled to join such a dynamic and well-respected firm," said Koumasidis. "I look forward to utilizing my background in insurance coverage and specialty risk to help our clients navigate their most challenging legal issues. The firm's commitment to delivering innovative solutions and top-tier counsel aligns perfectly with my own values and approach to client- focused service."
In her prior practice, Koumasidis was responsible for overseeing all phases of litigation involving professional liability for insurance agents, real estate professionals, employment practices liability (EPL), and accountants, among others. Her deep industry expertise is highlighted by her tenure in claims management at a leading insurance company, where she managed miscellaneous professional lines treaties, including Errors and Omissions (E&O), attorney liabilities, and Excess & Surplus (E&S) lines. She has conducted comprehensive coverage evaluations, overseen the maintenance of existing claims, and preformed annual claims audits on treaty partners, providing critical insight into claims reserving, financial analysis, and claims handling.
In addition, Koumasidis was partner at a prestigious law firm, where she specialized in insurance coverage disputes and was widely regarded for her handling of specialty risk and general liability policies held by professional athletes and high earners, event cancellation and non-appearing policies, product contamination recalls, and high-stakes directors and officers (D&O), employment practices liability, and property casualty insurance.
Koumasidis has consistently been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the legal profession. She was named a Super Lawyer Rising Star form 2016-2020 and received the Westfair Communications Millennial Award in 2019. Licensed to practice law in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, Koumasidis also holds a casualty claims adjuster license, further showcasing her broad skill set in the insurance field.
"Nicole Koumasidis is a tremendous addition to our White Plains office and to the firm as a whole," said White Plains Managing Partner Michelle Arbitrio, "Her in-depth knowledge of complex claims handling and specialty risk policies, combined with her track record of success in both the legal and insurance industries, make her an invaluable asset to our clients."
WSHB welcomes Nicole Koumasidis to its team and looks forward to her contributions in continuing to deliver top-tier legal counsel in the most challenging of claims environments.
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Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of almost 500 lawyers across 42 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
At WSHB, our strength lies in our diverse and accomplished team of attorneys. We boast thought leaders and defense specialists in over 41 fields of practice, covering an extensive range of specialties. Founded in 1997, we are proud to be among the top ten law firms in the nation for diversity, female partners, female lawyers, and Hispanic lawyers. This rich tapestry of diversity forms the foundation of our success when presenting cases to juries of our peers, ensuring we understand the unique nuances underlying each claim.
Our expansive geographic footprint allows us to provide effective and efficient representation to clients nationwide, regardless of their location, background, or legal expertise. By prioritizing strategic and cost-effective approaches to litigation, our dedicated attorneys work tirelessly to protect the interests of our clients. We have a track record of success, securing numerous victories such as summary judgments and defense verdicts on behalf of our clients. As a trial firm, we have taken over 2,000 cases to verdict, making us well-equipped to handle even the most complex and high-stakes litigation matters across the country.