Peter F. Lovato, III, has more than 25 years of experience in the litigation of business and financial controversies, with a particular emphasis on litigation involving the liability of corporate directors and officers, attorneys, accountants, insurance agents and appraisers. Pete also has extensive experience in the litigation of ERISA cases, especially those involving fiduciary and successor liability claims. Prior to joining BSWB, Pete served as lead counsel in connection with claims asserted against some of the most well-known law firms and accounting firms in the United States.

In recent years, Pete's practice has included a substantial amount of insurance coverage litigation, the defense of professional malpractice claims and the litigation of commercial and real estate disputes.

On behalf of insurance company clients, Pete has prosecuted and defended, in both the state and federal courts, numerous declaratory judgment actions concerning particular policy provisions typical in directors and officers and other professional liability policies, including, among others, the "Insured versus Insured" exclusion, the pollution exclusion, the professional services exclusion and the bodily injury exclusion. Pete has also litigated a number of rescission actions and defended claims of bad faith and unfair claims handling practices. With increasing frequency, Pete is advising insurance company clients regarding the effect of an insured's bankruptcy on coverage and has litigated coverage disputes in bankruptcy court. He also counsels excess insurers on a myriad of issues, such as the obligation of an excess insurer to contribute to the settlement of a claim where the underlying coverage has not been exhausted by actual payments by the underlying insurer. A seasoned litigator, Pete also has extensive experience with various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitrations and both court-ordered and voluntary mediations. He has successfully negotiated the settlement of scores of complex financial, commercial and insurance coverage disputes. He has considerable experience in structuring settlements so as to maximize the protection afforded to his insurance company clients, including through the use of policy "buy back" and judgment reduction/bar order provisions in settlement agreements.