No Defense for Lawyer/Business Owner
Barry Zalma
Dec 13, 2023
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Post 4788
Associated Industries Insurance Company (AIIC) sued Howard Kleinhendler and his former law firm, Wachtel Missry LLP, seeking a declaration that it need not provide insurance coverage for either defendant in a lawsuit brought by Allan Applestein. Applestein sought damages for legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, elder abuse, and fraud related to the 2017 sale of land in Virginia, known as the Fones Cliffs Land, to Kleinhendler’s company, the Virginia True Corporation.
In Associated Industries Insurance Company, Inc. v. Howard Kleinhendler, Defendant-Appellant, Wachtel Missry LLP, No. 23-57, United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (December 7, 2023) the Second Circuit resolved the dispute.
THE POLICY EXCLUSION
The insurance policy contained an explicit exclusion for activities undertaken in the capacity of an officer of another business enterprise. The district court granted judgment on the pleadings to AIIC because it determined the policy exclusion unambiguously excluded coverage due to Kleinhendler’s position with Virginia True.
CONTENTIONS
Kleinhendler contended that AIIC has a duty to defend him in the Applestein lawsuit because the lawsuit alleges some acts that could give rise to claims covered by the insurance policy, namely acts that occurred before the formation of Virgina True and acts related to the Fones Cliffs Land transaction that were unrelated to Kleinhendler’s position with Virginia True.
AIIC responded that it does not have a duty to defend him because the Applestein complaint squarely centers on the conflicted sale of the Fones Cliffs Land to Kleinhendler’s company, and its claims thus arise from Kleinhendler’s position with that company.
ANALYSIS
Under New York law, an insurer’s duty to defend is exceedingly broad. To be relieved of its duty based on a policy exclusion, an insurer has a heavy burden of demonstrating that the allegations of the complaint cast the pleadings wholly within that exclusion.
The Second Circuit noted that the issue to be resolved is whether the Applestein complaint brings claims that could potentially result in liability not arising out of Kleinhendler’s position with Virginia True and concluded that it does not. The complaint does not state any claim for liability that does not arise out of Kleinhendler’s position with his company.
Therefore, the Second Circuit concluded that AIIC carried its burden to demonstrate the exclusion applied and it has no duty to defend Kleinhendler in the Applestein suit.
That each and every claim arises from the sale of the Fones Cliffs Land to Virginia True is confirmed by the damages Applestein seeks-$7,724,200.36, apparently corresponding to the amount he lost as a result of the transaction and a loan he made to HK Consulting Group LLC (another Kleinhendler company) in connection with it, plus interest.
In short, all of Kleinhendler’s potential liability in the Applestein suit stems at least in part from his position with that company.
Therefore, the district court properly concluded that AIIC’s policy exclusion applied.
AIIC does not have a duty to defend Kleinhendler in the Applestein action.
ZALMA OPINION
There is no reason why a lawyer cannot be involved in a business outside the practice of law. It only becomes a problem if the business is involved with a client of the lawyer owner. Insurers of lawyers limit the liability coverage to the practice of law and most, like AIIC exclude coverage for actions between a lawyer owner of a non-law business and a client of the lawyer.
(c) 2023 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.
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Chutzpah: After Criminal Prosecution Defendant Sues USA
Post 5164
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Dr. Segun Patrick Adeoye, a medical doctor, filed a lawsuit against the United States of America, seeking damages for alleged violations during his criminal prosecution. He was acquitted by a jury but claims to have suffered significant harm, including financial losses, damage to his professional reputation, and personal distress.
In Dr. Segun Patrick Adeoye v. The United States Of America, Civil Action No. 4:25-cv-83, United States District Court, E.D. Texas, Sherman Division (July 23, 2025) the USDC dismissed Adeoye’s suit.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Dr. Adeoye was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleged that he and his co-conspirators obtained at least seventeen million dollars through various fraudulent schemes. Despite being acquitted, Dr. Adeoye claims that his ...
Payment of Appraisal Award Defeats Claim of Bad Faith
Post 5163
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Hurricane Damage to Dwelling Established by Appraisal Award
In Homeowners Of America Insurance Company v. Emilio Menchaca, No. 01-23-00633-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas, First District (July 31, 2025) after a hurricane Homeowners of America Insurance Company (“HAIC”) estimated that the cost of covered repair to Menchaca’s house was $3,688.54, which was less than his deductible, and therefore no payment would be made.
FACTS
After Menchaca retained counsel HAIC advised that, under the terms of the policy, Menchaca was required to first invoke the appraisal process prior to filing suit, and that HAIC reserved the right to request that Menchaca and any adjuster hired on his behalf submit to an Examination Under Oath (“EUO”).
On August 23, 2018, Menchaca’s counsel ...
Payment of Appraisal Award Defeats Claim of Bad Faith
Post 5163
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/dNpKKcYx, see the full video at https://lnkd.in/dNgwRP8q and at https://lnkd.in/dA9dvd-D, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5150 posts.
Hurricane Damage to Dwelling Established by Appraisal Award
In Homeowners Of America Insurance Company v. Emilio Menchaca, No. 01-23-00633-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas, First District (July 31, 2025) after a hurricane Homeowners of America Insurance Company (“HAIC”) estimated that the cost of covered repair to Menchaca’s house was $3,688.54, which was less than his deductible, and therefore no payment would be made.
FACTS
After Menchaca retained counsel HAIC advised that, under the terms of the policy, Menchaca was required to first invoke the appraisal process prior to filing suit, and that HAIC reserved the right to request that Menchaca and any adjuster hired on his behalf submit to an Examination Under Oath (“EUO”).
On August 23, 2018, Menchaca’s counsel ...
Rulings on Motions Reduced the Issues to be Presented at Trial
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CASE OVERVIEW
In Richard Bernier v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, No. 4:24-cv-00002-GMS, USDC, D. Alaska (May 28, 2025) Richard Bernier made claim under the underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage provided in his State Farm policy, was not satisfied with State Farm's offer and sued. Both parties tried to win by filing motions for summary judgment.
FACTS
Bernier was involved in an auto accident on November 18, 2020, and sought the maximum available UIM coverage under his policy, which was $50,000. State Farm initially offered him $31,342.36, which did not include prejudgment interest or attorney fees.
Prior to trial Bernier had three remaining claims against State Farm:
1. negligent and reckless claims handling;
2. violation of covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and
3. award of punitive damages.
Both Bernier and State Farm dispositive motions before ...
ZIFL Volume 29, Issue 10
The Source for the Insurance Fraud Professional
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Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter (ZIFL) continues its 29th year of publication dedicated to those involved in reducing the effect of insurance fraud. ZIFL is published 24 times a year by ClaimSchool and is written by Barry Zalma. It is provided FREE to anyone who visits the site at http://zalma.com/zalmas-insurance-fraud-letter-2/ You can read the full issue of the May 15, 2025 issue at http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ZIFL-05-15-2025.pdf
This issue contains the following articles about insurance fraud:
Health Care Fraud Trial Results in Murder for Hire of Witness
To Avoid Conviction for Insurance Fraud Defendants Murder Witness
In United States of America v. Louis Age, Jr.; Stanton Guillory; Louis Age, III; Ronald Wilson, Jr., No. 22-30656, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (April 25, 2025) the Fifth Circuit dealt with the ...
Professional Health Care Services Exclusion Effective
Post 5073
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This opinion is the recommendation of a Magistrate Judge to the District Court Judge and involves Travelers Casualty Insurance Company and its duty to defend the New Mexico Bone and Joint Institute (NMBJI) and its physicians in a medical negligence lawsuit brought by Tervon Dorsey.
In Travelers Casualty Insurance Company Of America v. New Mexico Bone And Joint Institute, P.C.; American Foundation Of Lower Extremity Surgery And Research, Inc., a New Mexico Corporation; Riley Rampton, DPM; Loren K. Spencer, DPM; Tervon Dorsey, individually; Kimberly Dorsey, individually; and Kate Ferlic as Guardian Ad Litem for K.D. and J.D., minors, No. 2:24-cv-0027 MV/DLM, United States District Court, D. New Mexico (May 8, 2025) the Magistrate Judge Recommended:
Insurance Coverage Dispute:
Travelers issued a Commercial General Liability ...
