Law360 recognized Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller’s insurance coverage chair Ron Schiller as one of this year’s Law360 MVP’s for Insurance. As part of its coverage, the publication spoke with Ron about his biggest accomplishments of the past year, why he is an insurance attorney, what motivates him and his advice for junior attorneys.
During the past year, Ron has worked on many high-profile cases. He said some of his most important accomplishments were reaching a settlement in Arch Specialty Insurance Co. v. University of Southern California and Ironshore Specialty Insurance Co. v. University of Southern California et al., both involving large-scale sexual abuse allegations against a former gynecologist at the University of Southern California.
Ron’s proudest moment this year involved persevering in Federal Insurance Co. v. Jenny M. Neice, where his team secured a victory for a Chubb unit of Federal after they lost twice before the West Virginia trial court judges. Ron and his team eventually prevailed before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which found Federal Insurance Co. had no duty to cover Dana Mining Co. of Pennsylvania in a suit brought by the family of a deceased worker.
Beginning his career as a commercial litigator for technology companies, he started getting involved in insurance law when those companies’ insurers began to reach out and directly hire counsel for coverage disputes. Igniting his passion for insurance, Ron loves his practice for its broad scope and encountering all types of different coverages.
Ron was also asked what motivates him and this is what he had to say, “I know it sounds hokey, I’m sorry it does, but I love getting a call with a new problem, [then] beginning with my team — it’s not a one-person job, I couldn’t do it — wrapping my arms around it and finding a solution, whether that means settling it or doing discovery and trying it or taking it up to an appellate argument.”
Lastly, Ron was asked if he had any advice for junior attorneys. His best advice for junior attorneys is to “Stick to it, and don’t let doubters discourage you.” He also said “Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with healthy skepticism, but don’t be a cynic. Have confidence that your experience and your gut feeling, when combined with research and investigation and hard work, can lead you to the right result.”
