Sean M. Hanifin

Member


Sean Hanifin knows risk isn't a static concept. It is constantly evolving along with an ever-changing business, technological, and legal landscape. That is why so many insurers, reinsurers, and other risk-bearing entities rely on Sean when they need to prepare for and manage novel and high-stakes coverage issues. Sean's acumen for identifying emerging risks and developing the approaches best suited to address them has made him counsel of choice for insurers across the country.

While Sean's experience covers the full spectrum of claims, coverages, and covered entities, he has established himself as an industry leader in handling increasingly prominent and complicated intellectual property claims under the personal and advertising injury coverages of general liability policies. His ability to parse and define new issues and challenges facilitates his development of claims approaches that better protect his clients from exposure.

Insurers rely upon Sean to provide candid, clarifying guidance with policy and endorsement drafting as well as resolve coverage disputes and claims. He is particularly adept in matters arising under alternative risk structures, including captive insurance (both domestic and offshore), fronting arrangements, and reinsurance structures. He has performed reserve adequacy studies in a range of areas, including employment practices, title insurance, liquor liability, construction defect, and design professionals.

Sean leverages his analytical talents and advocacy skills to resolve coverage disputes and underlying claims in a wide range of professional liability areas, including title insurance agents, real estate agents, insurance agents, captive insurance managers, corporate and financial institution directors and officers, design professionals, and healthcare professionals and organizations.

Firmly believing that early analysis and action are often the keys to unlocking the most efficient and favorable resolutions, Sean provides his insurance industry clients with the quick, responsive, and thoughtful counsel they need and deserve.

    • University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1981
    • Swarthmore College, B.A., with high honors, 1978, Phi Beta Kappa
  • Bar Admissions

    • District of Columbia
  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
    • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law, 2023 and 2024

Latest News and Insights

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194 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 194 of its attorneys, in multiple practice…

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Press Releases8.18.22

180 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 180 of its attorneys, in multiple practice…

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