A consummate trial lawyer, Alex Sugzda advocates for policyholders in insurance recovery matters as well as parties in other commercial disputes. Serving a national and international client base, Alex litigates all phases of insurance coverage cases, from initial claim review through trial and appeal.
In his practice, Alex represents a broad spectrum of clients, including small businesses with bet-the-company matters and large Fortune 500 corporations that regularly deal with insurance claim disputes, as well as individuals. Alex works with his clients in the preliminary stages of insurance coverage issues to steer them onto a sound course and to gauge the insurer’s initial responses. He also advises at the policy placement stage in the policy drafting process, participating on the front end and inserting language that helps avoid disputes down the road.
In recent years, Alex has distinguished himself by successfully navigating insurance coverage disputes arising from numerous challenges. In April, Alex served as lead counsel briefing and arguing a motion for summary judgment for ArcLight Capital Partners allowing it to access millions of dollars in defense coverage from Lexington Insurance Company to cover costs incurred defending itself from environmental litigation on the island of St. Croix. Alex also represented Philadelphia Energy Solutions through trial and settlement in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in its pursuit of hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage and business interruption coverage following an explosion and fire loss at its refinery in Philadelphia. Alex has also assisted several clients with claims arising out of natural disasters, including securing a victory in the New Jersey Supreme Court that allowed New Jersey Transit to access up to $400 million in insurance coverage from a group of carriers to make much-needed repairs to its property following Superstorm Sandy.
Alex has been at the forefront of issues like the surge in cybercrime, complicated government investigations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nationwide opioid crisis. These events demanded a sophisticated analysis of policy language to pursue full indemnification for policyholders. He finds profound satisfaction in guiding clients through these evolving and intricate insurance landscapes.
In a notable matter involving insurance coverage surrounding cybercrime, Alex played a pivotal role in securing a first-of-its-kind summary judgment ruling for Medidata Solutions Inc. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recognized the company’s entitlement to coverage under a commercial crime insurance policy for a computer fraud loss, and the ruling was affirmed on appeal. Alex has also represented clients in all manner of alternative dispute resolution settings, obtaining successful results for clients in confidential arbitrations and mediations.
