Brian Whiteman

Partner

Brian.Whiteman@lewisbrisbois.com

Brian Whiteman is a partner in the Newark office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Professional Liability Practice team. 

Brian concentrates his practice in professional liability defense on behalf of attorneys, architects, engineers, insurance producers, real estate agents, and other professionals, including directors’ and officers’ (D&O).  Brian focuses on achieving clients’ goals by strategically evaluating case issues early in the litigation process to seek prompt and efficient resolutions in complex liability circumstances by way of motion practice, litigation, settlement or trial.  He also collaborates with professional clients to prevent future claims through risk management counseling.

During the course of his 30-year commercial civil litigation practice, Brian also has significant experience in employment practices liability defense, commercial dispute litigation, environmental matters, and insurance coverage and declaratory judgment actions.  He has argued before New York trial courts and appellate divisions, and New Jersey trial courts, Appellate Division and Supreme Court.

Areas of Focus

Lawyers’ Liability

Brian works closely with attorney-clients and carriers to create an effective defense strategy to resolve the issues as promptly as possible, using mediation and arbitration when appropriate.  In legal malpractice claims, Brian’s experience ranges from general liability claims to real estate transactions to contentious estate litigations to complex business ventures, gone askew.

Professional Liability

In his representation of professionals such as architects, engineers, insurance producers, real estate agents, and other professionals, Brian litigates complex, high-exposure disputes where he is sensitive to protecting his client’s professional reputation.  In each situation, his goal and legal approach is to provide personal attention to the client’s specific needs and unique circumstances of each claim to achieve exceptional results.

Insurance Coverage Litigation

Brian has extensive experience representing domestic and foreign insurers in coverage disputes involving an array of insurance lines, such as personal, property, casualty, excess, environmental and various forms of specialty and professional risk (including D&O, E&O, EPL, and cyber).  He has prepared coverage opinions and drafted coverage position letters, particularly addressing additional insured provisions and various exclusions to coverage.  He has litigated numerous exclusions in the context of environmental insurance coverage matters, as well as many cases addressing the duty to defend and allocation issues.  Brian applies his insurance coverage experience to his representation of professionals as there is significant overlap in the practice areas.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Professional Liability

Additional Experience

Associations

New Jersey State Bar Association

Awards & Honors

Selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America in Insurance Law (2006-2026).

Education

St. John's University School of Law

Juris Doctor, May 1993

Fordham University

Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, May 1984