James H. Cole Named Assistant Director of the Professional Liability Department at Marshall Dennehey

James H. Cole, longtime shareholder and co-chair of three practice groups at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, has been named Assistant Director of the firm’s Professional Liability Department. In this capacity, he will assist Department Director Craig S. Hudson in managing a team of more than 120 attorneys  defending clients in claims and lawsuits throughout the firm’s 16 distinct areas of professional liability practice.

Mr. Cole joined the firm in 1999, bringing almost a decade’s worth of experience as a claims adjuster at a national insurance carrier. His first-hand understanding of property and casualty insurance afforded him a true head start in the nuances of claims settlements, insurance risk and litigation, and he eventually was promoted to co-chair of the Insurance Services, Property Litigation and Fraud/Special Investigation Practice Groups.

For 22 years, Mr. Cole has represented insurance companies in the defense of first party or bad faith lawsuits. He has assisted with hundreds of SIU investigations and coverage consultations; litigated hundreds of first party lawsuits; and has consulted on an equal number of property coverage issues.

“Not only is Jim an outstanding lawyer, but he is also a highly knowledgeable claims professional, and from the insurance industry perspective, that's a dynamite combination,” said Mr. Hudson. “Clients love him and seek his counsel for the most complex cases. From an internal perspective, he is sought out for professional advice and has become a strong mentor to associate attorneys. I look forward to Jim’s contributions as we work together to serve clients and grow and lead the department.” 

Among his many professional memberships and certifications, Mr. Cole is a member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations, the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), and the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU). He holds an Associate in Claims designation (AIC) from the Insurance Institute of America, and the Claims and Litigation Management Professional (CLMP) designation from the CLM. 

Mr. Cole is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating for an attorney’s legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.  A graduate of Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.