About DeWitt Stern From its inception in 1899, DeWitt Stern has demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Today our expertise, sense of urgency and superior technology combine to provide unique value. Delivering Value to our Clients DeWitt Stern is a national leader in risk management and insurance for law firm clients. Our focused experience as a boutique specialty brokerage and risk management consultancy to the legal profession has honed our knowledge of our clients business. Through this familiarity, we are able to design programs that deliver maximum policy protection while avoiding coverage gaps and overlaps. In addition to providing insurance solutions, we present alternative risk strategies including other control, avoidance or transfer methods that may be more advantageous for the firm. Building Respected Industry Relationships DeWitt Stern is proud of its long standing relationships with Chubb and Fireman s Fund which are recognized among the oldest agency appointments in the United States. The endurance of these relationships and other strategic strong ties to the best US and international insurers, allow DeWitt Stern to deliver the advantages of superior market access. Protecting Your Assets Our primary mission is to protect your most important assets: people, property and organizational reputation, so that you are able to achieve your goals and objectives without the worry of unknown and unprotected risks. This mission has served our clients well for over 100 years and we expect that through our dedication to excellence, our client partnership will continue to serve us mutually well into the future. Property and Casualty Our risk identification process utilizes the largest independent benchmark database available to law firm risks. Lawyers Professional Liability Lawsuits happen. We partner with you to address issues before they occur to allow you to continue to focus on daily operations. Cyber Risks Cutting edge protection is needed to fill the gaps not insured by property and professional liability policies for these emerging exposures to loss. Employee Benefits We enhance your firm's competitive advantage through design and implementation of the best in class benefit programs. Fine Art Decades of experience insuring some of the largest private, corporate and museum collections has made us the recognized authority in this field. Personal Risk Management We offer intelligent solutions to protect the assets and risk exposures faced by the affluent individual.
Property and Casualty All insurance policies are not created equal. DeWitt Stern works closely with our law firm clients to structure programs that effect meaningful improvements to the off-the-shelf variety typically utilized by law firms. Providing Custom Insurance Services DeWitt Stern works with law firms to provide insurance coverage and loss control procedures through a detailed risk identification analysis. Our primary objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the exposures present to the firm. Armed with this understanding, DeWitt Stern is able to develop a comprehensive, proactive risk management strategy to address those risks that could be detrimental to the firm s assets, people and future. DeWitt Stern has developed the most extensive national independent database of benchmark information relative to the limits, retentions and premiums for law firm risks of any national broker. This allows us to present data exhibits of insurance placements from across the United States in a manner that provides a more balanced view while not limited exclusively to the programs placed by one broker. Furthermore, DeWitt Stern is able to assist our law firm clients' clients with their risk and insurance exposures, including due diligence for Mergers and Acquisitions, Property and Liability, Crime and Fiduciary, Errors & Omissions Liability, Transactional Liability Products, Directors & Officers Liability, Surety Bonds, Contract review of insurance provisions, Employee Benefit Programs, and Life, Disability and Retirement Products. To be effective, a risk management strategy must not be static. We continuously introduce the information necessary for our clients to make informed decisions to meet their risk goals through regular reviews, seminars and special alerts that address topics, such as: Valuation and Limits Determination (Property, Accounts Receivable, Business Income and Extra Expense, Fine Arts, Valuable Papers, Umbrella Excess Liability) Personal and Information Security (In the office, courthouse and overseas) Protecting your interests (Office construction and renovation projects, design errors, additional insured requests, lease and contract reviews, entertainment and outings) Merger and Acquisition Due Diligence Loss Control Procedures (Employee and partner crime, fiduciary responsibility, rental cars and personal car use) Hypothetical What if? Questions DeWitt Stern is uniquely positioned to deliver the benchmark reports, industry research, loss analysis, policy comparisons and consultative services necessary to deliver exceptional service and coverage solutions to match the risk exposures of the firm.
Lawyers Professional Liability Employment Practices Liability Management Liability Regardless of size, location or practice area, professional liability, employment practices liability and management liability present substantial exposures for all law firms. At DeWitt Stern we know that client disputes are an unfortunate consequence of a thriving law practice. Partner disagreements, allegations of discrimination by an employee or wrongful failure to promote an associate can catch a firm off guard no matter what tools and strategies are used to decrease risk and mitigate exposure to loss. Achieving the Best Results The marketplace for these lines of insurance is large and diverse. It is, however, populated by insurers and underwriters with clear preferences for different types of liability exposure who share an aversion to uncontrolled vulnerabilities. This climate makes your choice of an insurance broker critical. At DeWitt Stern, we stand ready to represent your interests and be your advocate in the design, implementation and maintenance of a LPL, EPL, or ML insurance program tailored to your firm s exposures. A properly designed program is best achieved by gaining a thorough understanding of all facets of your firm. Through this collaborative client partnership, DeWitt Stern is able to design and implement a program to achieve the best results for the current term while anticipating the future. In pursuing LPL, EPL, or ML coverage, we will: Gain a full understanding of the firm through in-depth discussions with your Executive Director, practice leaders and lead administrative personnel Review loss control practices and processes of the firm Offer direction through a strategic partnership with a national law firm that specializes in professional risk management assistance for professional responsibility and malpractice issues Compile a detailed application to best position your firm to allow the underwriters to gain a perspective not normally captured in a paper document Complete a comprehensive marketing effort to assure the most competitive terms, conditions and pricing Provide detailed presentations of insurer quotations and continued negotiation for most favorable coverage Focus on delivering continuous service and support to ensure that the policy will reflect changes you may experience during the policy term
Cyber Risks E-mail, the use of interactive websites and other forms of electronic communication have become invaluable tools for law firms of all sizes and practice areas. However, with the many benefits come potentially catastrophic liability exposures should private and confidential information fall into the wrong hands or becomes public. Data Loss, Business Interruption and Third Party Liability It is impossible to completely protect electronic and paper data by use of even the most sophisticated firewall, antivirus, or authentication systems technology. Damages arising from impairment or destruction causing data loss are not usually addressed by traditional insurance, primarily because the assets that are affected are intangible. Unfortunately, the economic losses are anything but intangible possibly even devastating. Data security risk comes from many sources: On line hackers Rogue employees Transmission or receipt of malicious code Human and administrative errors resulting in wrongful distribution Data on lost or stolen laptops or other wireless handheld devices Lost files Dumpster divers DeWitt Stern can provide your firm with a range of financial backstop solutions for: Losses due to failure of your network security; Failure to protect or wrongful disclosure of confidential or private information; Violation of any privacy statute alleged in connection with failure to protect private information; Defense costs associated with regulatory actions; Failure to protect personally identifiable information from misappropriation; Allegations of defamation, copyright infringement or invasion of privacy arising from material published by the firm from on-line and off-line materials; Recovery, replacement or recollection of damaged, destroyed or lost information; Payment of ransom monies to a new class of cyber extortionist; Loss of revenue due to interruption of your business operations; Crisis management public relations expenses, notification expense and credit monitoring services. Defense costs, legal fees and settlements in prosecuting declaratory relief actions to protect your intellectual property rights.
Employee Benefits Firms have different reasons for offering employee benefits to attract and retain the best talent, to gain a competitive advantage, or to provide business protection. Insuring Employees of Law Firms As your advisor, we focus on your concerns and objectives, whether it is cost containment or broadening the benefits offering to your employees. DeWitt Stern understands that due to the unique ownership structure, the needs and requirements of law firms are different from those of other organizations. We have assembled both the expertise and the services to accomplish your firm s goals. Using Technology to Manage Healthcare DeWitt Stern has invested in the best in class technology platforms to help clients manage the bottom-line of their benefit budget while maintaining the value to participating staff and partners alike. We value our clients and are committed to offering solutions that improve efficiencies and reduce their administrative costs. Our Law firm clients are provided with interactive tools which deliver real-time legislative, compliance, benchmarking and communication resources which when coupled with our experienced consultants, result in quality programs. Advising Clients on Complex Issues We view our relationship with your firm as a partnership. With that in mind, we build a stewardship service model which is designed to keep you informed enabling you to take a managed approach to Benefits with a keen eye on ROI. DeWitt Stern has concentrated benefit capabilities in both Group and Individual core areas, to include: Group Benefit Expertise Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Life, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability Self Funding and Minimum Premium Funding options Retirement Programs (401K, Profit Sharing, Money Purchase, Defined Benefit) Group Long Term Care Individual Benefit Expertise Individual Long Term Disability (Up to 75% income replacement) Higher term limits on Executive Life insurance Individual Long Term Care policies for executives and family members Deferred Compensation Retirement Savings Programs Voluntary programs for Life, Health and Disability
Fine Art For decades, the Fine Art Practice at DeWitt Stern has specialized in the design, placement and service of insurance programs for private and corporate fine art and fine wine collections, museums, exhibitions and other related risks. We are as passionate about protecting art from loss as collectors are about their treasured collections. Insuring Collections Owned by Law Firms In our experience, we have found that collections owned by law firms are generally inadequately and unfavorably insured. Traditionally, fine art has been insured under a package property policy that may not provide reimbursement for the entire loss that will be incurred when a piece is damaged or lost. The premium rate charged for this limited coverage is often excessive. Providing Security through Industry Specialists DeWitt Stern s fine art insurance expertise differentiates us from other brokers insuring law firms. Within the nationwide fine arts community, we have strong relationships with conservators, appraisers, packer shippers and installation experts. Our relationships extend to the small circle of specialty insurers across the United States and around the world which specialize in fine arts. This ensures that we can recommend highly qualified and recognized authorities that you can trust for these needs and affords the firm added security that a credentialed fine art claims specialist will assist when a loss occurs. DeWitt Stern s specialty Fine Arts practice works with your firm to obtain insurance that offers the following: Policy limits either on a scheduled items or blanketed amount basis Worldwide coverage Transit and Temporary Unnamed locations coverage equal to policy limits All Risk coverage, including Flood and Earthquake, Mold, Disappearance, Employee Theft Cost of restoration and resulting loss of value Losses are settled based on Agreed Value prior to loss or Market Value at time of loss No Deductible Title Insurance available on specific transactions Premium credit available to use for appraisal or to re-value collection
Personal Risk Management DeWitt Stern has a long history of service to the unique needs of affluent individuals. Our client list includes numerous luminaries, celebrities, executives and statesmen. Providing Custom Insurance Services DeWitt Stern continues to lead this industry by providing custom insurance services tailored to the unique needs of the high net worth individual. Our service commitment includes 24/7 accessibility: we will be there for you when you need us. As a result of decades of experience in Private Client Services, DeWitt Stern professionals are keenly aware that confidentiality and discretion are essential aspects of our service program. Loss prevention and insurance programs must be carefully structured to provide protection against the following risks: Identity theft Kidnap and ransom Workers compensation Employment liability suits Suits brought while acting in directors and officers positions outside of the firm Exposures produced by recreational toys such as swimming pools, boats and sports cars The exposures faced by affluent individuals are not well matched to generic insurance policies. Custom homes, collections, income properties, luxury cars, yachts and private aircraft require proactive attention. The high visibility of these affluent individuals translates to a deep pockets bent in our litigious society. Protecting Firm Business and Personal Business The distinction between firm business and personal business may be blurred creating added liability and reputational issues for partners in the firm. For the inherent liability created by these exposures, DeWitt Stern is able to craft group programs for designated partners or members and executives of the firm. Furthermore, DeWitt Stern is able to enhance the services provided by the firm to clients of the Trusts and Estates practice groups by providing enhanced risk management and insurance coverage solutions for optimum asset protection.