About Robert P. Jacobs

Rob Jacobs represents policyholders in a wide array of insurance coverage disputes arising from product liabilities, toxic torts, first-party property losses, business interruption, advertising liability, professional liability, kidnap and ransom losses, and various directors and officers-related liabilities, to name a few. For the past several years, Rob has been heavily involved in seeking coverage for liabilities arising out of the life sciences and chemical industries, particularly with respect to agricultural products.

He has advised policyholders and resolved disputes under nearly every type of commercial insurance product, including so-called “Bermuda Form” excess liability policies, Comprehensive General Liability policies, London Market umbrella and excess policies, directors and officers liability policies, errors and omissions/professional liability policies, multimedia policies, kidnap & ransom policies, and other specialized coverages.

Rob is particularly known for his substantial experience representing policyholders in the life sciences industry in London arbitrations, required under many Bermuda Form and other offshore policies. This experience is a great benefit to policyholders facing liability exposure from agricultural and medical products that find themselves having to navigate complex insurance issues in order to secure the coverage to which they are entitled.

Recently, he also has been advising clients on insurance issues arising from emerging technologies, such as blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, and also has provided insurance coverage guidance to policyholders in the cannabis industry.

Rob is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (“Ciarb”), a global professional body dedicated to the advancement of alternative dispute resolution. Membership is extended to those who complete a comprehensive course, pass a rigorous assessment, and have requisite experience in international arbitration.

Rob also is a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel (“ACCC”), an invitation-only organization dedicated to improving the quality of the practice of insurance law and to increasing civility and professionalism in the field. The ACCC engages in an extensive vetting process prior to inviting a lawyer to become a Fellow, with its members including many of the most prominent advocates in the insurance law bar.

Rob has written numerous articles and is a frequent lecturer on issues facing policyholders in insurance coverage disputes, as well as ethical issues arising out arbitrations.

Outside the Firm

Rob is an avid fan of the Florida Gators football and basketball teams and, therefore, he bleeds orange and blue. In fact, he is a big fan of Southeastern Conference football (with the exception of Georgia). Rob bought Bruce Springsteen’s The River album on October 17, 1980—the day it was released—and then bought every one of The Boss’s subsequent albums on the dates that each of them were released.

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Experience

  • As lead U.S. counsel, successfully prosecuted several arbitrations in London against Bermuda and London Market insurers, securing coverage for bodily injury and property damage claims allegedly arising out of the use of polychlorinated biphenyls.
  • Representing a major agricultural bio-tech company in seeking coverage under Bermuda Form insurance policies for bodily injury (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) allegedly arising out of the world’s leading weedkiller.
  • Represented a major agricultural bio-tech company is seeking coverage under Bermuda Form insurance policies for alleged property damage arising out of certain genetically modified seeds.
  • Representing a world-renowned medical center in a London arbitration seeking coverage under a Bermuda Form insurance policy for a medical malpractice claim.
  •  Representing a major health care company in seeking coverage under Bermuda Form insurance policies for bodily injury claims allegedly arising out of a medical device used to regulate temperature during surgeries.
  • Key member of a trial team that secured an approximately $400 million verdict in California Superior Court in favor of a manufacturer of hardboard siding against more than 20 insurance companies. Secured tens of millions of dollars in coverage under a directors and officers liability policy for damages arising out of a Spanish proceeding alleging so-called “criminal bankruptcy” under Spanish law.
  • Represented a major university in New Orleans in securing coverage for extensive property and business interruption losses arising out of Hurricane Katrina. Among other things, this matter involved the novel question of whether valuable library collections were covered under Lloyd’s of London fine arts policies.
  • Represented a large information technology company in securing coverage for a property and business interruption loss arising out of a data center that was flooded by Hurricane Hugo. The data center ran ATMs on behalf of banks across the country, so the business interruption loss encompassed a very complex forensic accounting analysis.
  • Represented a bio-fuel processor that suffered a property and business interruption loss arising out of an explosion caused by a lightning strike which decimated underground machinery and operations.
  • Represented a major petroleum company in securing coverage for a complex property and business interruption loss caused by a massive petrochemical plant explosion.
  • Successfully opposed an insurer’s summary judgment motion under a Kidnap, Ransom & Extortion insurance policy with respect to events taking place in Uzbekistan, thereby compelling the insurer to provide coverage for the policyholder’s loss.
  • Obtained summary judgment in Texas state court on behalf of a major petrochemical company with respect to coverage for massive liability arising out of a plant explosion that caused serious injuries to numerous workers.
  • Key member of a litigation team that represented a major coal company in an action in West Virginia state court against more than 20 insurers, successfully obtaining coverage for bodily injury claims allegedly arising out of mining operations.

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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News & Views

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A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Recognitions

  • 2018–2027, Insurance Law, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2008–2026, Insurance: Policyholder – District of Columbia, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2024, listed in Who’s Who Legal – Insurance & Reinsurance
  • 2021–2022, Global Leader in Insurance & Reinsurance, listed in Who’s Who Legal
  • 2022, listed in Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll
  • 2021, “Top 100 Trial Lawyer,” listed by National Trial Lawyers
  • 2021 and 2025, listed in The Legal 500 United States
  • 2021, listed in Euromoney’s Insurance and Reinsurance Expert Guide
  • 2012–2015, 2017–2020, 2024–2026, “Super Lawyer” in Insurance Coverage, Washington, D.C., listed in Super Lawyers
  • 2017, listed in Who’s Who Legal – Insurance & Reinsurance

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Memberships

  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • American College of Coverage Counsel

Professional Activities

  • Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel
  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Adjunct – International Arbitration – University of Illinois College of Law

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Florida

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center, JD
  • University of Florida, BS, with high honors

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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