For more than 25 years, Jeffrey Goldwater has been an advocate for insurance carriers in declaratory judgment and bad faith litigation. In addition to an extraordinary record of success, the hallmark of Jeff’s practice has been its breadth, touching on every cutting edge area of insurance law. Jeff has been in the vanguard of consulting on and litigating coverage issues involving cyber liability, D&O, professional liability, public entities, EPL, advertising injury, construction defects, toxic tort, environmental, commercial property, and auto. Jeff also has handled numerous excess and umbrella coverage disputes as well as reinsurance matters. Jeff is also the vice-chair of the Insurance Coverage Practice.

In addition to consulting and advising on coverage, Jeff has tried cases and handles multiple appeals throughout the country. He also has extensive experience drafting novel and innovative insurance policy provisions, and assisting clients with insurance regulatory compliance.

As a regular part of his practice, and to further his commitment to client service, Jeff often briefs his clients on insurance coverage “hot topics.” Jeff’s presentations and whitepapers have covered a vast spectrum of issues including general coverage law trends, state and market specific surveys and particular coverage/exposure concerns. Jeff has been a frequent speaker, and has presented at meetings and conventions, including those of the ABA, PLUS, PRIMA, and DRI. Each year, Jeff has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” in Coverage. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law, where he teaches Liability, Risk and Insurance.

Admissions

• State Bar Admissions
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Michigan

Admissions

Illinois

Florida

Michigan

United States Court of Appeals - all Circuits

United States District Courts - multiple districts

Associations

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Seventh Circuit Bar Association
• Florida Bar Association
• Michigan Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Professional Liability Underwriting Society
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Awards & Honors

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 — Insurance Law
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2023 — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Tax Law

Education

University of Illinois College of Law

Juris Doctor, magna cum laude

• Order of the Coif
• Editor, University of Illinois Law Review, 

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts