The Firm: This firm's national insurance practice is particularly strong in New York and Chicago although it also boasts a healthy and growing presence on the West Coast. The team deals with a range of coverage disputes on behalf of insureds including professional liability and fidelity bond issues. The group has boosted its national profile with positive results in trials involving life insurance policies in Texas and Florida.

Sources Say: "The lawyers have knowledge of the industry and the ability to control costs during litigation while working toward positive results."

Key Individuals: Practice head Nancy Cohen is based in Los Angeles and earns praise across the country for her trial abilities. "She has quite a track record and is extremely effective in the courtroom," according to commentators.

New York partner Seth Schafler "does terrifically well serving clients," say sources. He focuses his practice on professional liability disputes on behalf of policyholders.