Professional Experience
Since beginning his legal career in 1980, Phil has concentrated on securing insurance coverage on behalf of Fortune 500 policyholders. Phil has litigated cases that established important judicial precedents for clients who face substantial asbestos and environmental liabilities, as well as clients who incur recall costs due to product contamination. He has served as debtor's counsel in two large asbestos Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and was lead counsel in a federal jury trial involving insurance coverage for advertising injury.
Phil has represented policyholders in many successful mediations of coverage disputes involving asbestos bodily injury, environmental contamination, construction defects, legal and accounting malpractice, and product contamination. His experience includes arbitrations conducted under the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
Phil currently is responsible for insurance coverage matters involving asbestos liabilities, mortgage defaults, product contamination recalls, product liability and directors and officers liability. Phil also counsels clients on a variety of other insurance and reinsurance matters and frequently speaks at national conferences.
In past insurance-related engagements, Phil has:
Phil also advises non-profit clients on corporate governance and contractual matters, and represents non-profit clients in commercial and labor disputes.
Phil has represented policyholders in many successful mediations of coverage disputes involving asbestos bodily injury, environmental contamination, construction defects, legal and accounting malpractice, and product contamination. His experience includes arbitrations conducted under the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
Phil currently is responsible for insurance coverage matters involving asbestos liabilities, mortgage defaults, product contamination recalls, product liability and directors and officers liability. Phil also counsels clients on a variety of other insurance and reinsurance matters and frequently speaks at national conferences.
In past insurance-related engagements, Phil has:
- Won $1 million + jury verdict in August 2013 against client's product recall insurer for accidental product contamination.
- Represented frozen meat vendor in recovering against supplier's liability insurer for contaminated product.
- Advised corporate policyholders on application of multiple insurance coverage programs to acquired or divested product lines, successor liability, and indemnification issues.
- Represented policyholder in Keene Corp. v. Ins. Co. of North America, the first case to adopt the "continuous trigger" and "all sums" principles for asbestos bodily injury claims.
- Represented policyholder in Owens-Illinois v. Aetna, the first case to hold that all asbestos claims arise out of a single occurrence.
- Represented policyholder in Yeomans-Chicago Corp. v. Liberty Mutual, which confirmed that the "all sums" principle applies in Illinois.
- Negotiated multi-party cost-sharing agreement for international electrical equipment manufacturer with its domestic and London Market insurers.
- Negotiated multi-party cost-sharing agreement for US pump manufacturer with its domestic insurers, and indemnification agreement with seller of pump product line.
- Negotiated series of multi-million dollar settlements for US boiler manufacturer with its domestic and foreign insurers.
- Negotiated multi-million dollar settlement for international engineering and contracting firm with its primary insurer.
- Served as debtor's counsel in Combustion Engineering asbestos bankruptcy and reorganization.
- Served as debtor's counsel in Lummus Global asbestos bankruptcy and reorganization.
- Advised international manufacturer on insurance aspects of its sale of asbestos-containing product line.
- Advised international conglomerate on insurance aspects of its purchase of foreign pump manufacturer.
Phil also advises non-profit clients on corporate governance and contractual matters, and represents non-profit clients in commercial and labor disputes.
Professional Positions
Member | Law Office of Philip H. Hecht PLLC, Washington, DC | 2013 - present
Partner | K&L Gates LLP, Washington, DC | 2000 - 2012
Partner | Howrey & Simon, Washington, DC | 1991 - 2000
Partner | Clifford & Warnke, Washington, DC | 1989 - 1991
Associate | Clifford & Warnke, Washington, DC | 1983 - 1988
Associate | Kirkland & Ellis, Washington, DC | 1980 - 82
Partner | K&L Gates LLP, Washington, DC | 2000 - 2012
Partner | Howrey & Simon, Washington, DC | 1991 - 2000
Partner | Clifford & Warnke, Washington, DC | 1989 - 1991
Associate | Clifford & Warnke, Washington, DC | 1983 - 1988
Associate | Kirkland & Ellis, Washington, DC | 1980 - 82
Pro Bono Activities
• Transitional Housing Corporation, Washington, DC
Member, Board of Directors 1990 - present
President, Board of Directors 2000 – 2003
• THC Affordable Housing, Inc., Washington, DC
Member, Board of Directors 2005-present
President, Board of Directors 2011 - present
• K&L Gates LLP, Washington, DC Pro Bono Coordinator 2002 - 2012
Member, Board of Directors 1990 - present
President, Board of Directors 2000 – 2003
• THC Affordable Housing, Inc., Washington, DC
Member, Board of Directors 2005-present
President, Board of Directors 2011 - present
• K&L Gates LLP, Washington, DC Pro Bono Coordinator 2002 - 2012