Freeborn Welcomes Sean Thomas Keely as Insurance and Reinsurance Partner, Continues Expansion of Industry Team Across New York, Virginia and Florida Offices

CHICAGO – Oct. 13, 2017 – Freeborn & Peters LLP is pleased to announce that Sean Thomas Keely has joined the firm’s New York office as a Partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team.

The addition of Mr. Keely continues the significant expansion of Freeborn’s award-winning reinsurance and insurance coverage and defense practices and the firm’s geographic reach over the last 16 months. In May 2016, Freeborn combined with highly regarded Richmond, Va., law firm Brenner, Evans & Millman P.C., which preceded the combination this past March with New York City firm Hargraves, McConnell & Costigan P.C. In addition, Freeborn opened its first Florida office in May 2017, led by two veteran attorneys based in Tampa. ‎All three of these new offices are staffed by top insurance and reinsurance practitioners.

“We are enthusiastic about Sean joining Freeborn to bolster our Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team and further enhance the firm’s practice in the New York market,” said Daniel Hargraves, a Partner and leader of the firm’s New York office. “Sean brings significant litigation experience and deep knowledge of the legal issues that concern our insurance and reinsurance clients. He is a great addition to our team.”

Joseph T. McCullough IV, a Partner and leader of Freeborn’s Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Team, said, “The firm's recruitment of another leading reinsurance litigator further underscores Freeborn's commitment to enhancing the depth and scope of our services to our valued insurance industry clients in the United States and abroad. We will continue to expand our team in New York as well as Chicago, Richmond and Tampa."

Most recently a partner with Hogan Lovells in New York, Mr. Keely concentrates his practice on litigating and arbitrating commercial disputes, with a particular focus on the reinsurance industry. His cases have involved late notice, allocation and aggregation of losses, follow-the-settlements, breaches of the duty of utmost good faith, material misrepresentation, and insurer insolvency. His successes include trial verdicts in state and federal courts, and arbitration awards for clients in the United States as well as in Europe and Asia.

Mr. Keely also has handled litigation and arbitration of complex disputes for financial services providers, energy companies, manufacturers and beverage companies.

A member of the Education Committee of the AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society, Mr. Keely has presented and served as chair at seminars and workshops for certified reinsurance arbitrators and industry practitioners.

Mr. Keely earned his J.D. (cum laude) from New York University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) from Georgetown University.

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