Insurance / Litigation / Insurance
Crowe Dunlevy Positions Insurance Client for Favorable Resolution Following Key Deposition
Sep 24, 2026
How do I help clients with insurance coverage issues and bad faith litigation?
I believe sophisticated clients, such as insurance companies, deserve clear answers, thoughtful counsel and an attorney who stays fully engaged from the beginning of a problem through its resolution. When insurance disputes escalate into high-exposure bad faith litigation or complicated coverage questions, I focus on helping clients understand both the immediate risks and the long-term implications of the decisions they make. During my career, I’ve learned that responsiveness, preparation and communication often make the difference between simply reacting to such disputes and successfully managing them to conclusion.
Counseling insurers through complex coverage and bad faith disputes
Roger Butler concentrates his practice on insurance coverage litigation, bad faith and extra-contractual matters, and declaratory judgment actions. For more than three decades, Roger has represented insurers in complex first-party and third-party coverage disputes involving both primary and excess insurance issues in state and federal courts, and in arbitrations. His practice regularly involves high-exposure claims, evolving coverage questions and litigation matters requiring strategic evaluation at both the legal and business levels.
Providing strategic, tactical and practical insurance advice
Roger works closely with insurers when significant claims or coverage disputes require outside legal analysis, strategic and tactical guidance or litigation support. He regularly prepares detailed coverage opinions, reservation of rights letters, coverage disclaimers and policy interpretation analyses involving complicated factual and legal issues. Because insurance companies often must evaluate not only the immediate claim at issue, but also the broader precedent and business implications of a coverage decision, Roger approaches each matter with a long-range perspective focused on helping clients avoid unnecessary surprises and make informed decisions early in the process.
Managing high-stakes litigation and evolving exposure risks
A substantial portion of Roger’s practice involves defending insurers against bad faith and extra-contractual claims alleging unreasonable claims-handling, evaluation, investigation and coverage decisions. He understands that even cases involving relatively modest policy limits can trigger significant importance when broader policy interpretation issues or precedent-setting concerns come into play. Roger also regularly counsels clients on emerging litigation trends, including the increasing prevalence of so-called “nuclear verdicts” that can dramatically alter exposure analysis and settlement strategy in complex high-stakes litigation.
Delivering responsive and collaborative client service
Clients value Roger’s ability to quickly assess complicated claim scenarios, identify key legal and factual issues, and provide practical guidance within demanding timeframes. Drawing on extensive experience and a deep well of knowledge, he helps clients evaluate litigation risks, mediation and resolution strategy, coverage questions and potential exposure with clarity and efficiency. Roger works collaboratively with colleagues, claims professionals, expert witnesses and client representatives to develop well-supported global strategy and thoroughly prepare witnesses for critical depositions and trials.
Bringing insight into both insurer and policyholder perspectives
In addition to representing insurers, Roger occasionally has represented policyholders in select matters and regularly serves as a mediator in insurance disputes. Those experiences have imbued him with additional perspective into how plaintiff and policyholder counsel evaluate claims and approach negotiations and litigation. Roger uses that insight to help insurer clients anticipate opposing arguments, evaluate settlement dynamics, and navigate contentious disputes more effectively while maintaining a practical, business-oriented focus throughout the representation.