Laurence P. Chirch is an associate in the Princeton, N.J. office of Hill Wallack LLP and a member of the firm’s Trial & Insurance Defense, Insurance Coverage and Product Liability Practice Groups.

Mr. Chirch focuses his practice on the representation of insurance carriers and their insureds in matters involving coverage and contractual disputes, as well as the defense of a broad range of complex liability claims.

Representative Matters

Mr. Chirch’s practice has included the following highlights:

• Successfully litigated cases involving a wide variety of complex insurance coverage issues, including the duty to defend and indemnify, policy exclusions, priority of coverage, first-party property claims, UM/UIM and PIP
• Defended property owners, contractors and product manufacturers and installers in matters involving catastrophic personal injuries, property damage, alleged construction defects and commercial contract disputes
• Obtained Summary Judgment on behalf of a contractor in a multi-party construction defect matter involving a large condominium complex based upon a Statute of Limitations argument
• Represented major title insurance underwriters in coverage claims and defended their insureds in title disputes
• Litigated a variety of employment claims involving both public and private entities, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, harassment and unfair labor practices

Leadership

• Barrister, Halpern-Furman American Inn of Court
• Member, New Jersey State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
• Member, Middlesex County Bar Association
• Member, New Jersey Defense Association

Presentations & Publications

• Co-authored negotiation simulation reports for the Public International Law and Policy Group in Washington, DC, which provides global pro bono legal services to governments involved in peace negotiations

Mr. Chirch is admitted to practice in New Jersey (2005), New York (2006), the District of Columbia (2007), and the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey (2005) and Southern and Eastern Districts of New York (2007).  He earned his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law. Prior to joining Hill Wallack LLP, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Peter A. Buchsbaum, J.S.C. – Superior Court of New Jersey, Civil Division. He received his M.A. in International Affairs from the American University School of International Service and his B.A. in Government with concentrations in International Relations and Latin  American Studies from Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences. He is proficient in Spanish.