Before joining London Fischer LLP, Jonathan was Senior Counsel at a boutique national insurance coverage firm, where he lent his acumen as coverage counsel in a novel fine art claim alleging that a fire caused microscopic and molecular damage to several valuable paintings, and in first-party property damage claims arising from catastrophic weather events in Florida and Louisiana.
Prior to that, Jonathan was a partner at a New York-area insurance coverage and defense firm where he specialized in first-party property damage claims and litigation and breach of contract actions. Jonathan’s work involved meticulous "ground-up" analysis, the crafting of invaluable coverage opinions, the rigorous examination of witnesses under oath, and the full spectrum of litigation, from initial pleadings to the apex of trial and appeal in both State and Federal courts. Jonathan is also well-versed in alternative dispute resolution, with a track record of deftly resolving contentious matters through mediation and arbitration.
With over 20 years of experience representing Lloyd’s of London Syndicates and London Market Companies, Jonathan has also built a reputation as a masterful navigator of insurance coverage and liability claims involving Fine Art, Cash and Bullion, Diamonds and Jewelry, and Inland Marine and Cargo, including the following litigated matters:
- Marbury v. Chaucer Syndicates et. al, 104 A.D. 3d 1033 (2d Dept. 2016); obtained affirmation of trial court’s award of summary judgment for Insurers dismissing the insured’s complaint on the basis of the insured’s breach of the policy’s personal care, custody, and control limitation, where the insured voluntarily consigned valuable jewelry to a dealer who failed to return it.
- Zurich America Insurance Co. v. Felipe Grimberg Fine Art, 324 Fed. Appx. 117 (2d Cir. 2009); obtained affirmation of District Court’s decision dismissing the insured’s counterclaims for loss of two artworks, finding that the loss was not a theft by the insured’s art dealer but an unpaid sale from the insured to dealer, and as such the artworks were not covered property under the insured’s policy because title had already passed.
- Gemological Institute of America v. Zarian Co., 349 F. Supp. 2d 692 (SDNY 2004); obtained bench trial award of 11.60 carat diamond in replevin and interpleader action, in favor of co-defendant Zarian, on the basis of the fact that the stone was stolen from Zarian in Dubai and co-defendant S.B. Diamond Corp. was not a good-faith purchaser of the stone in Israel under Israeli law.
Jonathan has also contributed to precedent on an insurer’s right to void coverage where the insured’s application for insurance contains false information. In Bleecker Street Health & Beauty Aids, Inc. v. Granite State Ins. Co. et. al, 38 A.D. 2d 231 (1st Dept. 2007), Jonathan obtained an affirmation of the trial court’s award of summary judgment for the insurer, dismissing the insured’s complaint on the basis of a material misrepresentation in the insured’s application for insurance, which had denied the use of grills or deep fat frying in any other business in the insured’s building or a restaurant in the same building, and a fire occurred in a restaurant in the insured’s building which used those very implements.
Beyond his legal prowess, Jonathan is a sought-after speaker, often asked to impart his wisdom on various insurance coverage topics. Jonathan’s practice crosses borders, as evidenced by his delegate status at IFASIC, the premier International Fine Art and Specie Insurance Conference, in both 2022 and 2023. Jonathan is also a frequent visitor to London, whether for market meetings, or the delivery of enlightening presentations such as "Fakes & Forgeries in the Fine Art Market" at Allied World Insurance Company in May 2019.
Jonathan began his legal journey as an Assistant District Attorney for Kings County, N.Y., after receiving his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. He graduated Cum Laude from Tufts University with a B.A. in Political Science and Government, setting the stage for his distinguished legal career.
Recent Presentations
- “Fakes & Forgeries in the Fine Art Market,” presented at Allied World Insurance Company, London, England, May 2019.
-
Panelist on presentation by New York State Bar Association on “Insurance Consent To Settle Provisions: How Neutrals Can Help Break The Stalemate,” June 27, 2022.
Media
- March 6, 2023: Quoted in Law 360 article, “Justices Likely To Mull Key Maritime Rulings In Insurance Suit,” on the certiorari granted by the Supreme Court to hear the case of Great Lakes Insurance SE v. Raiders Retreat Realty Co., LLC.
Memberships
- International Fine Art & Specie Insurance Conference