Margaret H. Warner is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Peg is the partner-in-charge of the Trial Department in Washington and Chair of the Firm’s interdisciplinary Insurance Markets Practice Group. She also is a member of the Firm’s Management and Compensation Committees.
For 27 years, Peg has represented clients in all aspects of the insurance markets, gaining international prominence as an industry advisor. She was recognized as a leading insurance lawyer in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 editions of Chambers USA. The 2007 edition noted that Peg “has an impressive profile in the market.” Chambers reported that Peg is regarded “as good as anyone in the country at insurance matters, delivering real world advice in a prompt, efficient way.” Furthermore, says the Chambers rating, her “Peers admit that she makes ‘a fearfully good litigator’ on the other side.” Chambers USA 2008 states: “Peg Warner is an intimidating figure in the market. ‘Knowledgeable, assertive and in tune with clients’ needs,’ she excels at complex litigation and arbitration. Her reputation as a leading figure has been further boosted by her recent representation of Allianz Global Risks in the negotiation of a settlement of 508 childhood sexual abuse cases against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of LA.” In addition, Peg is named a leading lawyer in The Best Lawyers of America 2008 Washington DC, and Super Lawyers.
Peg has served as lead counsel in federal and state trial and appellate courts in 25 states. She has tried numerous cases to juries, judges and arbitration panels. In addition, she has served as national coordinating counsel to clients, coordinating company-wide positions, providing strategic guidance and trying high-exposure cases. Her practice encompasses commercial, environmental, mass tort and product liability litigation. With other Firm attorneys, Peg pioneered the structuring of various risk transfer mechanisms.
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Peg has been at the center of some of the most complex insurance issues and public policy challenges arising out 9/11’s effects on the insurance markets. Her guidance on these issues will have long term implications affecting pubic policy and response in the event of another national disaster. This work includes serving as principal adviser to the WTC Captive Insurance Company, a unique entity funded by the United States Congress with $1 billion to retroactively provide liability coverage against claims related to debris removal at Ground Zero.
Peg provides legal and strategic advice on a national policy level to entities most at risk in the sexual abuse scandals that have rocked our nation. In 2007, she played a leading role in obtaining a highly favorable settlement for her client insurance companies in the California clergy sexual abuse cases.
Current clients include major international insurance companies, international and domestic captive insurance entities, liquidators of an insolvent insurer, two of the four major national professional sports leagues, and an international insurance broker.
Education
- University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1981
- St. Lawrence University, B.A. (cum laude), 1978
