David M. Alt is a multifaceted attorney who has represented clients in some of the nation’s most high-profile cases involving insurance coverage, railroads, financial services, construction, professional liability, premises liability and products liability. He has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago on multiple occasions as a “Notable Leader” in the Chicago bar and is routinely recognized for his national practice, having appeared in courts in 25 states.
Early in his career, David handled some of the largest and most complicated transportation claims involving railroads, heavy trucks, and traffic control accidents —a practice he continues today alongside a significant nationwide focus on complex coverage disputes, bad faith actions, and high-exposure claims assessment and monitoring. Clients deploy him to challenging jurisdictions against aggressive plaintiffs’ lawyers and seasoned policyholder counsel. He has particular depth collaborating with insurers to advance coverage defenses in complicated underlying actions, oftentimes involving federal multidistrict litigation.
In addition to active litigation, David serves as regional and national counsel to a diverse set of companies with unique nationwide risks, coordinating and overseeing local counsel as an extension of the client’s team. Leading insurance companies rely on him to manage all matters involving bad faith claims handling, and major railroads retain him for around-the-clock availability on immediate risk management issues.
Based on his longtime litigation practice across many states, breadth of topical experience, and industry prominence, corporations across many industries and their counsel have engaged David to assist with alternative dispute resolution including binding arbitrations and mediations. He has served as a party-appointed arbitrator and has assisted parties in mediating large complex matters. The American Bar Association has appointed David several times to provide lectures and panel discussions on arbitration and mediation issues.
David serves as the firm’s hiring partner and co-chair of the associate committee, overseeing the hiring and development of the firm’s growing partner and associate ranks. He spends countless hours with community organizations, particularly coaching and refereeing youth sports.
Representative Matters |
Brettman v. Vela et al., The professional liability carrier defending this lawsuit was facing six-figure defense costs that were expected to potentially triple and a multi-million dollar settlement demand from the plaintiff. The carrier retained David to coordinate the defense of the lawsuit, position the case strategically for settlement, and aggressively negotiate with the plaintiff’s attorney. Within months, David settled the matter for a nominal amount thereby extinguishing the insurer’s defense costs, extricating the insured from a potentially seven-figure liability, and saving the insurer potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. Confidential Pre-Suit Mediation, London-based insurer retained David to seek recovery from a Chicago law firm who, without authority from the insurer, bound the insurer to a binding arbitration and resultant non-appealable seven-figure award. David provided the law firm with a draft complaint, demanded immediate mediation to minimize legal fees, and ultimately secured a seven-figure settlement from the law firm. Schulte v. Iowa Interstate, Obtained defense verdict in favor of a railroad contractor in personal injury case after a three-week jury trial. Waste Management Recycle America, Inc. v. Shawn Lavin, After a five-day bench trial and subsequent appeal to the Illinois Court of Appeals, established the validity of a covenant not to compete in the employment contract of a former senior level executive of our client. Selective Ins. Co. v. City of Paris, Obtained summary judgment for one of city's liability insurance companies, proving that the insurer's policy did not cover a claim brought by two men convicted of murder, but released after 16 years. Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. American Re-Insurance Co., Court enters summary judgment in favor of reinsurer and against ceding company and broker who failed to properly procure reinsurance or obtain special acceptance from the reinsurer to provide reinsurance for long-haul trucking risk. EnergyNorth Natural Gas Co. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, In a matter of first impression, the New Hampshire Supreme Court unanimously adopted pro rata allocation for long-term environmental pollution claims. Essex Ins. Co. v. City of Chicago, Obtained summary judgment based on no additional insured coverage where claim did not arise out of the named insured's work. Wilson v. Leitner, Defense verdict at conclusion of plaintiff's case in professional liability suit against CPA brought by former clients who had been penalized by IRS for underpayment of taxes and improper accounting practices. |
Presentations |
Additional Insured and Contractual Indemnity Overview, Client Seminar (February 2025) |