OVERVIEW

Eric represents primary and excess insurance carriers in high-exposure litigation on contested coverage matters. Over a 30-year career, he has litigated more than two hundred cases, and successfully advised on hundreds more, in almost every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. In addition to his coverage work, Eric has an active litigation practice, representing sophisticated institutional clients – including manufacturers, healthcare providers, medical publishers and related entities – in commercial, product liability, life science and qui tam disputes.

Eric graduated from Columbia Law School, where he was on the Columbia Law Review; and clerked for Judge Conrad K. Cyr on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 

Eric serves as Vice-Chair of the ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee; Past Chair of the TIPS Self-Insurers and Risk Management Committee; and past chair of the Boston Bar Association (BBA) Insurance Law Subcommittee. In 2019 he was elected to the American College of Coverage Counsel.

Recognition and Involvement

Recognition & Involvement

Since 2004, Eric has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Massachusetts "Super Lawyer" and since 2009 as a New England "Super Lawyer." He is named among The Best Lawyers in America® since 2023 for Insurance Law.

Credentials

Bar and Court Admissions

Massachusetts

District of Columbia

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

U.S. Supreme Court

Education

Columbia Law School, JD, 1991 

University of Washington, BA, magna cum laude, 1986

News & Insights

  • First Circuit Finds No Coverage For Subcontracted Faulty Work
    First Circuit Finds No Coverage For Subcontracted Faulty Work
    11.13.24 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Practice Group Alert
  • Best Lawyers® Recognizes 49 White and Williams Attorneys
    Best Lawyers® Recognizes 49 White and Williams Attorneys
    8.15.24
  • Congratulations 2024 DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations 2024 DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    6.6.24
  • First Circuit Limits Insurers’ Right to Recoup Defense Costs or Settlement Payments
    First Circuit Limits Insurers’ Right to Recoup Defense Costs or Settlement Payments
    2.28.24 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
  • Best Lawyers® Recognizes 45 White and Williams Lawyers
    Best Lawyers® Recognizes 45 White and Williams Lawyers
    8.18.23 | Firm News
  • Establishing and Challenging Exhaustion of Insurance Policies: Recurring Issues, Factors to Consider, Below Limits Settlements
    Establishing and Challenging Exhaustion of Insurance Policies: Recurring Issues, Factors to Consider, Below Limits Settlements
    7.11.23 | Strafford CLE Webinar
  • Congratulations to all of our 2023 Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations to all of our 2023 Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    5.25.23
  • The Complex Insurance Coverage Reporter - November 2022 - Special Edition
    The Complex Insurance Coverage Reporter - November 2022 - Special Edition
    11.21.22 | The Complex Insurance Coverage Reporter
  • Best Lawyers® Recognizes 40 White And Williams Lawyers
    Best Lawyers® Recognizes 40 White And Williams Lawyers
    8.18.22 | Firm News
  • MA Business Court Reverses Itself on Reconsideration; Finds No Right to Defense Cost Contribution From Insureds
    MA Business Court Reverses Itself on Reconsideration; Finds No Right to Defense Cost Contribution From Insureds
    8.15.22 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Congratulations 2022 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations 2022 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    7.13.22
  • MA SJC Rules Attorney’s Fees Awarded Under G. L. c. 93A Are Not Covered by Liability Policy
    MA SJC Rules Attorney’s Fees Awarded Under G. L. c. 93A Are Not Covered by Liability Policy
    7.11.22 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • White and Williams Obtains Preliminary Injunction in Constitutional Challenge to Massachusetts Police Recertification Procedures
    White and Williams Obtains Preliminary Injunction in Constitutional Challenge to Massachusetts Police Recertification Procedures
    6.30.22
  • Massachusetts Federal Court Rejects Adria Towers, Finds Construction Defects Not an “Occurrence”
    Massachusetts Federal Court Rejects Adria Towers, Finds Construction Defects Not an “Occurrence”
    6.1.22 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Massachusetts Business Court Addresses Defense Cost Allocation and Non-Cumulation Provisions in Long-Tail Context
    Massachusetts Business Court Addresses Defense Cost Allocation and Non-Cumulation Provisions in Long-Tail Context
    2.24.22 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Coverage College 2021
    Coverage College 2021
    10.21.21
  • Horizontal vs. Vertical Exhaustion of Insurance: Priority of Coverage and Settlement for Below Policy Limits
    Horizontal vs. Vertical Exhaustion of Insurance: Priority of Coverage and Settlement for Below Policy Limits
    6.8.21 | Strafford CLE Webinar
  • Connecticut Appellate Court Breaks New Ground on Policy Exhaustion
    Connecticut Appellate Court Breaks New Ground on Policy Exhaustion
    3.30.21 | The Complex Insurance Coverage Reporter
  • Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Dismisses Medical Device Suit
    Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Dismisses Medical Device Suit
    2.1.21 | Product Liability Alert
  • First Circuit Holds Conflicting Policy Provisions Require Coverage for Petroleum Spill
    First Circuit Holds Conflicting Policy Provisions Require Coverage for Petroleum Spill
    12.22.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • The Goldilocks Rule: Panel Rejects Proposed Insurer-Specific MDL Proceedings for Four Large Insurers, but Establishes MDL Proceeding for the Smallest
    The Goldilocks Rule: Panel Rejects Proposed Insurer-Specific MDL Proceedings for Four Large Insurers, but Establishes MDL Proceeding for the Smallest
    10.12.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Connecticut Supreme Court Finds Duty to Defend When Case Law is Uncertain
    Connecticut Supreme Court Finds Duty to Defend When Case Law is Uncertain
    9.15.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Eric Hermanson Comments on COVID-19 MDL Proceedings
    Eric Hermanson Comments on COVID-19 MDL Proceedings
    8.18.20 | A.M. Best BestWeek
  • No Global MDL for COVID Business Interruption Claims, but Panel Will Consider Separate Consolidated Proceedings for Lloyds, Cincinnati, Hartford, Society
    No Global MDL for COVID Business Interruption Claims, but Panel Will Consider Separate Consolidated Proceedings for Lloyds, Cincinnati, Hartford, Society
    8.13.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • MDL Panel Presented With Numerous Solutions for Handling Hundreds of Federal COVID-19 Coverage Actions
    MDL Panel Presented With Numerous Solutions for Handling Hundreds of Federal COVID-19 Coverage Actions
    7.30.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Eric Hermanson Comments on Proposed Federal Consolidation of COVID-19 Coverage Litigation
    Eric Hermanson Comments on Proposed Federal Consolidation of COVID-19 Coverage Litigation
    7.14.20 | A.M. Best BestWeek
  • All Roads Lead to the JPMDL: Another COVID-19 Business Interruption Declaratory Judgment Is Stayed Pending MDL Decision
    All Roads Lead to the JPMDL: Another COVID-19 Business Interruption Declaratory Judgment Is Stayed Pending MDL Decision
    7.7.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • The Insurer’s Duty to Defend and Pre-Suit Demand Letters
    The Insurer’s Duty to Defend and Pre-Suit Demand Letters
    5.19.20 | The Complex Insurance Coverage Reporter
  • COVID Restrictions Struck in Wisconsin – Other Challenges Likely
    COVID Restrictions Struck in Wisconsin – Other Challenges Likely
    5.14.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Shuttered Businesses Seek National Consolidation of COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims
    Shuttered Businesses Seek National Consolidation of COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims
    4.23.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • First Circuit: No Coverage, No Duty to Investigate Alleged Loss Prior to Policy Period
    First Circuit: No Coverage, No Duty to Investigate Alleged Loss Prior to Policy Period
    4.3.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • Massachusetts Joins the Fray, Introduces Bill Forcing Insurers to Pay for COVID-19-Related Business Interruption Losses
    Massachusetts Joins the Fray, Introduces Bill Forcing Insurers to Pay for COVID-19-Related Business Interruption Losses
    3.25.20 | Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Alert
  • The SIR Dilemma: When Does (And When Should) An Excess Carrier Get Involved?
    The SIR Dilemma: When Does (And When Should) An Excess Carrier Get Involved?
    2.22.20 | ABA TIPS Insurance Coverage Litigation Midyear Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona)
  • A Spectrum of Risk Professionals
    A Spectrum of Risk Professionals
    Winter 2020 | The Brief
  • The Insurer's Duty to Defend: Pre-Suit Demand Letters
    The Insurer's Duty to Defend: Pre-Suit Demand Letters
    Fall 2019 | The Brief
  • 13th Annual Coverage College Hosts Over 400 Insurance Professionals
    13th Annual Coverage College Hosts Over 400 Insurance Professionals
    11.1.19
  • Coverage College 2019
    Coverage College 2019
    10.24.19
  • Eric Hermanson Elected Fellow of American College of Coverage Counsel
    Eric Hermanson Elected Fellow of American College of Coverage Counsel
    5.15.19
  • Pre-Suit Duties Under CGL Policies
    Pre-Suit Duties Under CGL Policies
    2.19 | ABA TIPS Insurance Coverage Litigation Midyear Meeting (Phoenix, AZ)
  • 12th Annual Coverage College Features Current Trends and State of the Insurance Claims Industry
    12th Annual Coverage College Features Current Trends and State of the Insurance Claims Industry
    10.23.18
  • Congratulations 2018 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations 2018 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    10.18.18
  • Right on the Money: Allocating Construction Defect Defense and Indemnity Among Defendants and Their Insurers
    Right on the Money: Allocating Construction Defect Defense and Indemnity Among Defendants and Their Insurers
    10.4.18 | 12th Annual Coverage College
  • Does Counterclaim Litigation Exhaust a SIR? The Visionaid Effect
    Does Counterclaim Litigation Exhaust a SIR? The Visionaid Effect
    8.31.18 | TortSource
  • New Kvaerner Endorsements Revive the "Occurrence" Debate - But Will They Work?
    New Kvaerner Endorsements Revive the "Occurrence" Debate - But Will They Work?
    Summer 2018 | The Brief
  • Chapter 3 - "Commercial General Liability Policies"
    Chapter 3 - "Commercial General Liability Policies"
    12.17 | Massachusetts Liability Insurance Manual (MCLE 3d ed. 2017)
  • What's Hot in Coverage: A Survey of the Latest and Greatest in Construction Coverage
    What's Hot in Coverage: A Survey of the Latest and Greatest in Construction Coverage
    12.5.17 | 2nd Annual Construction Defect, Claims Litigation and Strategies ExecuSummit (Uncasville, CT)
  • Congratulations 2017 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations 2017 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    11.11.17
  • Beyond the Nuts and Bolts: Why Coverage is Always Under Construction in Construction Defect Claims
    Beyond the Nuts and Bolts: Why Coverage is Always Under Construction in Construction Defect Claims
    10.26.17 | White and Williams Coverage College
  • White and Williams Supports Theatre Espresso's 25th Anniversary
    White and Williams Supports Theatre Espresso's 25th Anniversary
    5.30.17
  • The "Occurrence" Issue in Construction Defect Litigation: Case Law, Legislation and Underwriting Reactions
    The "Occurrence" Issue in Construction Defect Litigation: Case Law, Legislation and Underwriting Reactions
    2.17 | ABA TIPS Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Midyear Meeting (Phoenix, AZ)
  • A Survey of the Latest and Greatest in Construction Coverage
    A Survey of the Latest and Greatest in Construction Coverage
    December 6-7, 2016 | Inaugural Construction Defect, Claims & Litigation Strategies ExecuSummit (Uncasville, CT)
  • Congratulations 2016 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations 2016 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    10.18.16
  • Coverage College Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
    Coverage College Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
    9.22.16
  • The Bad and the Ugly: Worst Bad Faith Decisions of 2015-2016
    The Bad and the Ugly: Worst Bad Faith Decisions of 2015-2016
    9.22.16 | White and Williams Coverage College
  • Supreme Court Clarifies Key Principles Under The Federal False Claims Act
    Supreme Court Clarifies Key Principles Under The Federal False Claims Act
    6.17.16 | Commercial Litigation Alert
  • White and Williams Announces the Election of Five Lawyers to the Partnership and the Promotion of Five Associates to Counsel
    White and Williams Announces the Election of Five Lawyers to the Partnership and the Promotion of Five Associates to Counsel
    1.14.16
  • Congratulations 2015 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    Congratulations 2015 DE, MA, NJ, NY and PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
    10.21.15
  • Delaware Follows Louisiana Ruling that Statutory Damages Are Not Penalties: First Health Settlement Class v. Chartis Specialty Insurance Company
    Delaware Follows Louisiana Ruling that Statutory Damages Are Not Penalties: First Health Settlement Class v. Chartis Specialty Insurance Company
    5.15 | IRMI CGL Reporter
  • Basic Commercial Coverage Issues
    Basic Commercial Coverage Issues
    1.16.15 | New Lawyers Section, Boston Bar Association

Memberships

American College of Coverage Counsel

American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section

Boston Bar Association

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Lead litigation counsel for primary and excess insurers in complex multi-party lawsuits involving tort, environmental, construction defect, asbestos, professional and general liability claims 
  • Co-counsel to major multinational excess carrier on CGL coverage exposures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Co-counsel for major international reinsurer in federal trial and appellate proceedings arising from allocation of pollution, asbestos, and related long-tail liabilities 
  • Lead litigation counsel for Massachusetts engineering firm in professional liability proceedings alleging deficient product design 
  • National coordinating counsel for European medical device manufacturer in U.S. mass tort proceedings alleging injury from implantation of surgical mesh 
  • Co-counsel to defense contractor in qui tam action alleging improper procurement and billing practices under U.S. Government contract
  • Lead litigation counsel to primary general liability carrier in high-profile mass tort litigation involving The Station nightclub fire
  • Co-counsel to developer of New England merchant power plant in breach of contract suit against European gas turbine manufacturer
  • Co-counsel for excess carrier; advised on coverage in MDL and related bankruptcy proceedings arising from contaminated steroids allegedly distributed by New England Compounding Company
  • Lead regional counsel to national medical publisher and database distributor in tort litigation alleging inadequate technical specifications, failure to warn of pharmaceutical product hazards
  • National litigation counsel for medical device manufacturer in federal MDL and related state tort proceedings involving product allergy and related injuries
  • Co-counsel for New Hampshire electronics manufacturer in complex commercial dispute regarding allegedly deficient performance of automated assembly system
  • Lead trial counsel for domestic property carrier in reference proceedings arising from New England franchise restaurant fire losses
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