At KDV, our attorneys have many years of experience negotiating and closing deals for the purchase and sale of vessels.  Below are some of the services our attorneys are frequently called on to provide in this area: Negotiating and drafting of financing documents, including loan agreements, ship mortgages, assignments, pledges, guarantees and miscellaneous undertakings Preparation of Bills of Sale and Preferred Ship Mortgages Recording documents of title and security interests with the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center and … >> Read More

For over 25 years, KDV’s Maritime and Admiralty law attorneys have successfully represented marine terminals and vessel owners in hundreds of claims involving virtually every type of cargo.  Our extensive history of representing major marine terminal operators and vessel interests has endowed us with considerable expertise in claims involving both containerized bulk cargoes.

KDV’s Maritime and Admiralty law team is one of the leading Jones Act defense groups in the nation.  Our attorneys have tried a staggering number of Jones Act cases to verdict with considerable success.  We have unmatched experience in litigating maritime personal injury cases through trial and appeal in both State and Federal Courts, including the United States Supreme Court, and have a record of successfully defending such cases.

At KDV, we know that maritime casualties can occur at any time. When they do, our dedicated and experienced attorneys are prepared to provide an immediate and effective response.  We are literally on site immediately after the occurrence. This often includes interviewing crewmembers and witnesses, gathering navigational records, liaising with the U.S. Coast Guard and other governmental agencies.  Our attorneys have experience responding to all kinds of marine casualties from minor dock allisions, to man over board incidents, environmental emergencies, … >> Read More

KDV’s Maritime and Admiralty law attorneys are recognized by Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers as having the highest rating (AV).  Our attorneys in this area have deep ties to the maritime community who have been actively engaged in representing vessels, terminals and ocean construction firms since 1984.  We pride ourselves as a beacon in the storm for our clients and have had relationships in the industry that go back more than four decades.

KDV has extensive experience representing real estate and title agents in matters alleging errors and omissions, negligence and fraud. We also provide extensive counseling and training on risk management practices in order to prevent and avoid claims.

KDV’s Medical Malpractice group provides an array of legal services to the health care industry. Our attorneys have experience representing physicians, dentists, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers. The litigators at KDV have extensive trial experience in all areas of medicine and — in keeping with the firm’s philosophy — are ready to take any case to trial or secure the best settlement possible when the circumstances dictate. While our Medical Malpractice group is retained by insurance … >> Read More

Malpractice suits against attorneys are increasingly common in today’s legal landscape. Severe financial consequences, the threat to the reputation of the attorney and firm and the impact on retaining present clients and obtaining future clients make these cases extremely significant to law firms. KDV’s Legal Malpractice attorneys have significant experience defending law firms and their insurers in such cases successfully. Our clients benefit from our immediate assessment of and response to the claim and the underlying lawsuit or transaction. Many … >> Read More

KDV has wide-ranging experience representing agents and brokers in the insurance industry in matters alleging errors and omissions, negligence and fraud. We also provide extensive counseling and training on risk management practices in order to prevent and avoid claims.

New technology, an unpredictable economy, and evolving industry rules and ethical guidelines have resulted in architects and engineers facing an increased exposure to charges of professional malpractice.  KDV’s Professional Liability team is comprised of experienced trial attorneys who are well-versed in these areas and are focused on the defense of malpractice claims.

Accounting malpractice cases can be extremely complex and often require extensive pre-trial and pre-settlement investigations. It is especially important for an accountant to select counsel experienced in the unique challenges presented in a complex accounting malpractice case. KDV represents accounting professionals in state and federal courts or before ethics committees of professional organizations. KDV attorneys who focus on accountant malpractice defense have strong financial and economic backgrounds and are fluent in the language of accountancy. They are adept at reading … >> Read More

Almost all employment laws have built-in provisions specifically making it unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for either complaining of conduct prohibited by the law or taking legal action against the employer under the law. Many states have laws specifically extending protection to employee whistleblowers. Unfortunately, many employees often abuse these protections by making baseless complaints about alleged unlawful conduct by an employer as a means of providing themselves with job security in difficult economic times or … >> Read More

KDV frequently represents companies confronted with investigations and compliance audits by the Department of Labor and/or its state law agencies’ equivalents. KDV prepares clients for audits by conducting a comprehensive in-house review to determine possible areas of exposure. KDV represents clients during the investigation and, if necessary, in subsequent litigation.  As a preventative measure, KDV can also perform its own in-house audit that can reduce potential exposure.

When handled correctly, labor disputes between labor unions and management can preserve a productive employment relationship while resolving the legal issues at hand. Clients repeatedly turn to KDV for our extensive experience and innovative solutions for resolving union-related labor issues.

In today’s workplace, employment discrimination claims continue to increase across the board and are exacerbated by a struggling economy. For this reason, KDV emphasizes a policy of prevention. Our attorneys work closely with management to develop a workplace culture that minimizes the potential for claims and maximizes the likelihood of success if claims do arise. We assess our clients’ vulnerability to potentially disruptive outside influences and train supervisors to communicate effectively and not antagonize employees. KDV also works closely with … >> Read More

KDV comprehensively trains managers and supervisors to avoid conduct that can expose and bind their businesses to liability. We inform and educate clients how to handle potential disciplinary situations, layoffs and reductions in force and general employee complaints legally.

Many skilled employees, salespeople, executives, and other professionals are privy to trade secrets, customer lists, and other valuable confidential information. In order to protect an employer’s interests, the employer can require the signing of a restrictive covenant. The courts have been very clear on what types of covenants are enforceable and which are not. At KDV, our lawyers assist employers with drafting enforceable restrictive covenants that ensure that your company’s confidential information is protected when an employee is terminated or … >> Read More

Having been founded as a labor and employment law firm more than 25 years ago, KDV offers solid experience regarding the complex laws that govern relationships with unions and the collective bargaining process. Our attorneys help manage grievances and handle contract administration. We advise and train management and supervisory personnel how to avoid conflicts and defend disciplinary actions, if arbitration is necessary.

Every year, significant amounts of money that are legally and rightfully due to a company are lost through ineffective, inefficient or even inactive subrogation practices.  KDV’s subrogation and strategic recovery services team is composed of highly experienced lawyers and skilled paralegals dedicated to recovering claims paid.  Subrogation is a complex process requiring an in-depth understanding of the insurance industry and expertise in multiple areas of law, including insurance, employee benefits and litigation. We focus on providing the highest quality of … >> Read More

Reinsurance disputes call for proficiency in areas beyond traditional coverage and reinsurance contract issues. As the disputes affecting this industry have grown more varied and complex, the requisite legal skills have expanded accordingly. More structured contracts lead to more complicated disputes. KDV’s Reinsurance Disputes practice provides clients with the highest quality legal services with regard to the full array of disputes (including reinsurance arbitrations) affecting the insurance industry.

KDV offers program administration assistance to insurers and will construct audit protocols and perform audits for reinsurers. Our team possesses experience in: professional liability (attorneys, accountants, architects, engineers, etc.), D&O, environmental, medical malpractice audits, other property/casualty risks, life, accident and disability, and workers’ compensation. On behalf of reinsurance and transactional clients, we have used our reinsurance claims experience to counsel clients in broad and specific issues of claim handling and presentation, contract construction, dispute avoidance and the use of ADR … >> Read More

KDV’s Professional Liability Department is comprised of attorneys located throughout all of our office locations. Whether engaged directly or through insurance carriers, our attorneys represent a broad range of professionals in defending claims arising from performance of their professional duties.  Members of our Professional Liability Department are experienced in handling litigation in both State and Federal Courts through trial and on appeal.  Our attorneys are licensed to practice in multiple State and Federal jurisdictions and also represent professionals in administrative … >> Read More

KDV’s policy drafting services reflect both our understanding of the insurance business, as well as our experience litigating the meaning of insurance policies. We are often called upon by clients needing expert help with drafting, interpreting and revising documents and products. Specifically, we: analyze, draft, negotiate and revise standard and specialty insurance products, counsel on regulatory concerns implicated by insurance products, represent insurers before administrative agencies, and monitor legislation and litigation across the United States. The depth and range of … >> Read More

KDV has extensive coverage and defense experience in the environmental and toxic tort fields. Our attorneys have written numerous coverage opinions and coverage position letters regarding: Underlying first- and third-party asbestos, silica, toxic mold and welding rod fumes. Construction defects. World Trade Center-related claims. Other non-specified mass and toxic torts under primary, excess and umbrella policies. We have handled property damage claims that result from all of the above. Our attorneys have also analyzed and litigated coverage issues relating to … >> Read More

KDV regularly defends insurance companies against bad faith claims such as failure to investigate; failure to defend/excess verdicts; and punitive damages claims.  We have significant experience examining and representing insurance company policies and procedures that protect claimants from wrongful denial and prevent bad faith denials by individual claims adjusters.  A bad faith claim can result in considerable punitive damages. If your company is facing bad faith insurance litigation, contact us. Our experienced bad faith insurance lawyers will go to work … >> Read More