Darlene K. Alt Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Partner +1 312 201 2670 +1 401 276 6476 [email protected]

Areas of Practice Darlene represents insurers in coverage actions, class actions and complex & Reinsurance commercial litigation. She has extensive experience in defending and managing Coverage & Claims insurance coverage and bad faith litigation in state and federal courts across the Complex Commercial Litigation country. Darlene also advises leading US and UK insurers on a wide variety of Complex Litigation matters, including coverage, claims handling and bad faith exposures, and counsels insurers on policy wording and review. Darlene also regularly advises clients on high-exposure cases and mass tort liabilities, including 9/11- Education related World Trade Center litigation. Northwestern University School of Law, J.D. Notable Experience cum laude, Order of the Coif University of Michigan, B.A.  Darlene routinely advises US and UK insurers on complex coverage issues with distinction involving Bermuda Form, professional liability, and general and excess liability policies. Bar Admissions Illinois  Darlene regularly counsels insurers on liability, coverage and claims Rhode Island handling issues arising from professional services, mass torts, product liability and large exposure claims. Court Admissions  Darlene serves as both coverage and monitoring counsel to insurers on a U.S. Court of Appeals, First variety of professional indemnity and general liability policies. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth  Conagra Foods, Inc. v. Lexington Insurance Company, (Delaware), Circuit Defended insurer in coverage action involving food contamination claims. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois  Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield v. American Home Assurance U.S. District Court, District of Company et al., (), Defended excess insurers in coverage Rhode Island action involving numerous claims of sexual abuse. U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan  Rabinowitz v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, (Mississippi), Assisted in defense of mass action against insurer involving Memberships vanishing premium, performance and modal premium claims. Professional Liability  Varacallo v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, (New Jersey), Underwriting Society Assisted as National Litigation Counsel and Settlement Counsel in Defense Research Institute resolving nationwide insurance sales practices class action. Claims & Litigation Management Alliance  Primiano v. Vigilant Insurance Company, (Rhode Island), Defended insurer against breach of contract and bad faith claims. Darlene K. Alt

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

 "The Intersection of Insurance and Bankruptcy," quoted, Risk & Insurance, January 22, 2014.

 "5 Tips for Attorneys Turned Claims Investigators," quoted, Law360, May 31, 2013.

 "Industry Loss Estimates for Superstorm Sandy Remain at $18.75 Billion," co-author, Edwards Wildman Client Advisory, May 2013.

 "Potential Claim and Insurance Implications of the Marathon Bombings," speaker, Edwards Wildman Insurance and Reinsurance Webinar, May 23, 2013.

 "Issue Spotting the Marathon Bombings - A Look at Potential Claims and Implicated Coverages," co-author, Claims Management Magazine, May 7, 2013.

 "Boston Bombing Insurance Definitions Unclear," quoted, Reactions, April 26, 2013.

 "An Update on a Storm Called Sandy," speaker, Edwards Wildman seminar, New York, March 28 and , April 25, 2013.

 "What Happens When the Lights Go Out? Business Loss Coverages Revealed," speaker, Professional Insurance Agents of Florida, Agent Expo 2013 Building Success, February 21-22, 2013.

 "Bad Faith Laws for Property/Casualty Claims," co-author, Prepared by Gen Re and Edwards Wildman Palmer, February 2013.

 "A Storm Named Sandy," speaker, Edwards Wildman Insurance and Reinsurance Seminar, New York, January 17, 2013.

 "Q&A With Attorneys on Emerging Business Insurance Topics," quoted, Insurance Journal, November 13, 2012.

 "After Japan: The Causation Dilemma For CBI Coverage," co-author, Risk and Insurance, August 1, 2011.

 "Fallout from the Japan Disaster: Causation & Aggregation Issues Under CBI & Reinsurance Policies," speaker, Edwards Wildman Palmer Webinar, July 28, 2011.

 "Swept away: Have insureds' chances of recovery under contingent business interruption insurance policies been wiped out post-Tohoku, ask Edwards Wildman Palmer" co-author, Insider Quarterly, Summer 2011.

 "Navigating The Medicare Secondary Payer Minefield," author, Law360, April 1, 2011.

 "SaferProducts.gov - Not Just Another Website," co-author, Law360, February 11, 2011. Darlene K. Alt

 "Consumer Product Safety Incident Database Set to Launch March 2011," Edwards Wildman Palmer Client LLP Advisory, December 1, 2010

 "U.S. Supreme Court Issues Decision in Wyeth v. Levine Rejecting FDA Labeling Pre-emption Argument," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Client Advisory, March 2009.

 "Destruction Checklists: Don't Be Afraid To Use That Shredder," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer Class Action & Mass Litigation Bulletin, Fall 2006.

 "Destruction Checklist," co-author, Law Technology News, October 2005.

 "Advanced Expert Witness Deposition Tactics," speaker, National Business Institute, September 2007.

 "The Art of the Settlement," speaker, National Business Institute, March 2007. Stephen M. Prignano Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Partner Providence +1 401 276 6670 [email protected]

Steve represents insurance and corporate clients in class actions, coverage Areas of Practice actions, extra-contractual matters, and complex commercial litigation. He has Insurance & Reinsurance extensive trial and appellate experience in a wide variety of matters in state and Coverage & Claims federal courts across the country. Steve has, for example, defended Complex Commercial Litigation major insurance companies in coverage and bad faith disputes, as well as in class actions alleging market conduct and sales practices claims. He has represented Privacy & Data Protection clients in privacy and data protection matters, including insurance coverage issues Technology, Media & related to privacy and data breach claims. Steve has also represented broadcasters Telecommunications in the defense of media claims, insurers and contractors in the defense Real Estate and Construction of construction defect claims, manufacturers of automotive, industrial and consumer Litigation products in the defense of product liability claims, and accountants, attorneys and engineers in the defense of professional liability claims. Education University of Bridgeport, School Steve’s knowledge in cutting edge issues concerning privacy and data of Law, J.D. protection, electronic discovery and information technology is useful to clients in summa cum laude coverage, bad faith, and complex litigation. He has frequently lectured and written Bryant College, B.S. on insurance coverage issues, bad faith liability, class action litigation, privacy and data protection, electronic discovery, and document retention best practices. Steve cum laude is listed in the Commercial Litigation section of The Best Lawyers in America and has been named a New England Super Lawyer and a Rhode Island Super Lawyer Bar Admissions by Law & Politics magazine since 2007. Connecticut Rhode Island In addition to his commercial litigation experience, Steve is an accomplished Massachusetts matrimonial lawyer with over 25 years experience in the Rhode Island Family Courts. He regularly represents clients in contested divorce, child custody, child Court Admissions support, alimony and other matrimonial matters. Steve is a Fellow of the American U.S. District Court, District of Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Rhode Island U.S. District Court, Notable Experience Massachusetts U.S. Court of Appeals, First  In Re Mortgage Foreclosure Cases (Rhode Island). Successfully Circuit represented major financial institution in defeating class-wide injunctive U.S. Supreme Court relief in consolidated mortgage foreclosure cases.

 Santilli v. AllianceOne Receivables Management (Rhode Island). Memberships Successfully resolved on behalf of defendant a putative class action Defense Research Institute, alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Insurance Law Committee Federal Bar Association  Collective Brands v. National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, P.A. Defense Counsel of Rhode (Kansas). Obtained summary judgment dismissing insured's complaint Island seeking coverage for privacy violations allegedly asserted in two class Rhode Island Bar Association, actions brought against an insured under the Telephone Consumer Volunteer Lawyers Program Protection Act in the sending of unsolicited text messages to residents of Claims & Litigation Management California and Washington. Stephen M. Prignano

Alliance  Alfano v. National Geographic Channel (New York). Obtained summary Board of Directors, Roger judgment dismissing claims alleging violations of privacy rights under New Williams University School of York Civil Rights Law Section 51 in connection with the use of plaintiff’s Law photograph to advertise a television documentary. Advisory Board, Pro Bono Collaborative  Starr-Gordon v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company Fellow, American Academy of (California). Obtained summary judgment dismissing bad faith claims Matrimonial Lawyers brought on behalf of a putative class of California policyholders with respect to the administration of disability income policies.

 Crooker v. WGGB-TV40 (Massachusetts). Obtained dismissal of multiple defamation claims brought against a television station arising from broadcast news reports.

 ConAgra v. Lexington Ins. Co. (Delaware). Defended coverage action under excess liability policy involving product contamination claims and nationwide recall of contaminated food products.

 Rabinowitz v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (Mississippi). Assisted in the defense of mass action involving 17 plaintiffs asserting vanishing premium, performance and modal premium claims.

 Bryan McCaa v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (Nevada). Assisted in the defense of bad faith claims based on allegations of breach of a disability insurance contract.

 David Elias, et al. v. Ernest R. Petty, et al. (New Jersey). Represented C.M. Life Insurance Company in the defense of bad faith claims alleging improper sales, servicing and administration of life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

 Varacallo v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (New Jersey). Assisted as National Litigation Counsel and Settlement Counsel responsible for resolving insurance sales practices class action.

 Marshall W. Weir, et al. v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (Oklahoma). Defended various sales practice claims, including vanishing premium claims, as well as claims relating to the application of premium payments.

 Candleberry Realty, Inc., et al. v. Zurich American Insurance Company (Rhode Island). Defended breach of contract, bad faith and insurance coverage claims arising from contamination caused by underground storage tank.

 Parker v. MetLife (Rhode Island). Defense of putative class action alleging violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

 Moore v. MetLife Ins. Co. (Rhode Island). Defense of extra-contractual and breach of contract claims in putative class action involving automobile policies.

 Shipp v. Acadia Mutual Life Insurance Company (Rhode Island). Represented insurer in indemnification claim against former agent. Stephen M. Prignano

 Rosciti v. Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (Rhode Island). Defended excess casualty claims brought against insurer under State’s direct action statute.

 Fraioli v. MassMutual Investor Services (Rhode Island). Defended financial services company against breach of contract claims.

 Morris v. High Mark Life Insurance Company (Rhode Island). Defended insurer against claims brought under ERISA.

 Coach House Condominium Assn. v. Yankee Development Corp. (Rhode Island). Successful litigation of construction defect claims through to the conclusion of a bench trial.

 Castle Village v. Langan Engineering, et al. (New York). Assisted in the defense of coverage action involving claims of negligent construction.

 Bowen v. Mercedes-Benz of North America (Rhode Island). Successful defense of product defect claims alleging failure of airbag to deploy upon impact.

 Royal Diversified Inc. v. R.F. Geisser and Associates, Inc. (Rhode Island). Represented professional engineering firm in defense of construction defect claims.

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

 "What Is Next in Consumer Data Breach Litigation?," co-author, Inside Counsel, May 8, 2014.

 "Recent Developments in Coverage for Construction Defect Claims," author, Edwards Wildman Insurance and Reinsurance Review, January 2014.

 "Be Proactive to Avoid Claims of Institutional Bad Faith," co-author, Edwards Wildman Insurance and Reinsurance Review, April 2013.

 "Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Expands Consumer Zip Code Privacy Protection in Tyler v. Michael Stores," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Client Advisory, March 2013.

 "US Supreme Court Limits Standing to Sue in a Case that will Likely Impact Privacy and Data Breach Plaintiffs," author, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Client Advisory, March 2013.

 "Take Control Of Litigation With Early Case Assessments," co-author, Law 360, January 28, 2013.

 “Rhode Island Court Approves Nation’s First Solvent Scheme Program,” co- author, Edwards Wildman Palmer Insurance and Reinsurance Review, September 2011.

 "A Practical Guide to Evidence in Rhode Island," co-editor and author, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., 424p., 2011. Stephen M. Prignano

 “Social Networking,” co-author, New York Law Journal, November 15, 2010.

 "Q&A With Edwards Angell's Stephen Prignano," quoted, Law360, September 28, 2010.

 Speaker, Navigating the Ever-Changing World of Social Media: Critical Considerations for In-House Counsel, June 16, 2010.

 "Extra-Contractual Damages Still Problematic for Insurers in Rhode Island Ten Years After State Supreme Court's Asermely Decision," Edwards Wildman Palmer Insurance and Reinsurance Review, June 2009.

 "Does McLaughlin Close the Door on RICO-Based Consumer Fraud Class Actions?" co-author, Andrews Litigation Reporter, Vol. 15, Issue 7, August 2008.

 "CAFA 2005: Rise in Employment Class-Action Litigation," co-author, New York Law Journal, Volume 240, Number 9, July 14, 2008.

 "The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 and the rise in employment class action litigation," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer Labor & Employment Bulletin, Summer 2008.

 "Rein in Costs and Identify Risks," In-House Defense Quarterly, Spring 2008.

 "The Anatomy of a Bad Faith Case" - Defending a Motion to Compel Electronic Documents, speaker, American Bar Association Annual Meeting, August 2007.

 "Electronically Stored Information And the New Amendments To the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," Andrews Litigation Reporter, Volume 10, Issue 15, December 12, 2006.

 "Modern Discovery Practice: The Hidden World of Metadata in Electronic Discovery, " Mealey’s Litigation Report, Volume 3, Issue #10, July 2006 and Cyber Tech & E-Commerce, Volume 8, Issue #5, July 25, 2006.

 "Managing Instant Messenger Litigation and Discovery," co-author, Today, February 2005 and Edwards Wildman Palmer Class Action & Mass Litigation Bulletin, Fall 2006.

 "Electronic Evidence and Document Retention in the Digital Age," speaker, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Fall 2006.

 "Discovery of Electronic Evidence," speaker, Boston Bar Association, January 2006.

 "Responding to the Challenges of Electronic Discovery: What Insurers Need to Know," Edwards Wildman Palmer Insurance and Reinsurance Update, December 2005. Stephen M. Prignano

 "Discovery of Electronic Evidence," speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel of America, Northeast Division, December 2005.

 "Discovery of Electronic Evidence," speaker, Manufacturers Alliance (MAPI) Compliance Council, November 2005.

 "Discovery of Electronic Evidence," speaker, Rhode Island Bar Association, June 2005.

 "Insurance Coverage Litigation in Rhode Island," speaker, National Business Institute, June 2004.

 "Recent Developments in Non-Party Discovery Under the Federal Arbitration Act," Edwards Wildman Palmer Insurance & Reinsurance Update, Summer 2004.

 "New Corporate Obligations: Will D&O Policies Provide Coverage?" For the Defense, December, 2002.

 "The Spoliation Inference," For the Defense, May 2002.

 "Trial Use of Digital Technology," speaker, Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting, 2002.

 "Heightened Agent and Broker Liability: Identifying the Problem, Managing the Risk," Insurance and Reinsurance Update, Spring 2001.

 "Managing Bits and Bytes to Protect the Bottom Line: A Litigator's Perspective," speaker, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, 1996.

 "Appellate Practice in the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit," speaker, Lorman Business Center, Inc., 1994.

Before Edwards Wildman Before joining the firm, Steve clerked for the Honorable Thomas J. Meskill for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. While attending law school, Steve was the Editor-in-Chief of the University of Bridgeport Law Review.

Besides Edwards Wildman The Rhode Island Bar Association has recognized Steve's efforts in providing pro bono legal services. In 1994 the Association awarded him the Pro Bono Continuing Service Award and in 1992 he was awarded the Pro Bono Public Award. Steve has also earned an award of merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for his pro bono work.