Latest news with #EmploymentPracticesLiability
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Jones DesLauriers Expands Complex Risk Division with Two Key Leadership Appointments
TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc., a founding Navacord Broker Partner, is pleased to announce the appointments of John Crossley as Vice President, Financial and Professional Lines Leader, and Daniel Szpik as Assistant Vice President, P&C Placement Leader, both within the firm's Complex Risk division. These appointments are effective August 5, 2025, and mark the next phase in the division's growth, following its launch in August 2024 under the leadership of Imran Pira, Managing Partner, Head of Complex Risk. Based in the brokerage's downtown Toronto office, John and Dan will play pivotal roles in delivering bespoke solutions to sophisticated clients with unique risk profiles across a range of industry sectors. "We're thrilled to welcome both John and Dan to the Complex Risk team," says Imran Pira. "John offers deep expertise in the boardroom pertaining to executive risk, professional liability and corporate-wide exposures, while Dan brings a strategic, solution-oriented approach to complex P&C placements. Their combined experience significantly strengthens our ability to provide sophisticated insurance strategies grounded in strong subject matter expertise and service excellence." John Crossley joins Jones DesLauriers with over ten years of industry and corporate experience, specializing in financial and executive risk, including Directors & Officers Liability (D&O), Employment Practices Liability (EPL), Fiduciary Liability, Crime, and Financial Institution Errors & Omissions (E&O). Most recently, he served as Vice President at a global brokerage, advising companies on complex management liability risks such as M&A, IPOs, RTOs, and up listings. His background spans underwriting, managing large client portfolios, data & analytics, and project management, offering a uniquely comprehensive perspective on risk advisory. John holds a bachelor's degree from Queen's University. Dan Szpik brings over seven years of experience in commercial property and casualty insurance, with a strong track record in structuring innovative coverage solutions for complex accounts. In his new role, he will lead placement strategies for the division's most challenging portfolios, collaborating with senior advisors and executives to achieve customized client outcomes. A graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology with a degree in Business Administration, Dan combines technical expertise with a competitive edge sharpened during his time as an NCAA athlete—now applied to golf and client strategy alike. "We are impressed with Imran's thoughtful approach to building out his team and practice whilst delivering on the build out of our state-of-the-art new downtown Toronto office," says Scott Irwin, President & CEO. The addition of these two senior leaders reflects Jones DesLauriers' continued investment in building a top-tier Complex Risk advisory platform and underscores the firm's broader strategy to attract specialized talent, expand capabilities, and deliver innovative solutions for clients with sophisticated risk management needs. As one of the GTA's largest independent brokerages, Jones DesLauriers continues to lead the market across the transportation, construction, hospitality, real estate, and forestry sectors, with over 350 professionals and more than $750 million in premiums placed. Backed by the strength of Navacord, the firm maintains a strong presence across the GTA, Ottawa, and Quebec, while enhancing its Complex Risk offering to meet the needs of clients with evolving and sophisticated challenges. About Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc. At Jones DesLauriers, we specialize in helping businesses protect their most valuable assets – from property to people. As a Navacord Broker Partner and industry disruptor, we are a team of professionals in both commercial insurance and benefits who bring a wealth of expertise and a multidisciplinary approach to finding and optimizing solutions for every business need. Our DNA consists of entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and the expertise of our high-performance professionals. As partners invested in your success, we outperform by challenging the status quo and getting to know the nuances of your business, your goals, and your people. Passion. Innovation. Respect. We are Jones DesLauriers. About Navacord Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Navacord is one of Canada's largest and fastest growing multi-line insurance brokerages and financial services firms. With $5 billion in premiums, Navacord stands as a leader in commercial and personal insurance, travel and specialty, group benefits, and financial planning. Built on the vision of keeping the Canadian entrepreneurial spirit alive, we have grown to operate over 50 local brands from coast to coast. Our expert advisors deliver local touch service, trusted advice, and tailored solutions alongside Navacord's national strength and resources. Navacord has become the preferred partner for entrepreneurial insurance brokerages seeking to grow as a part of something bigger while maintaining a commitment to client success and their ability to support their communities. SOURCE Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc.
Graziadaily
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Justin Baldoni Is In Hot Water Again After New Lawsuit From His Insurance Company
The insurer covering Justin Baldoni's studio Wayfarer for work on It Ends With Us has sued him and the studio, stating that its policies don't cover the claims made by Blake Lively in her sexual harassment lawsuit. Harco National Insurance Company – the insurer in question – filed a lawsuit on Monday stating that the two policies that Wayfarer took out with them ran between 15 July 15 2023 and July 15, 2024, and a second running from 15 July 2024 to 15 July, 2025. Therefore, the lawsuit alleges that 'Lively and others complained of sexual harassment during pre-production and production of the Film,' which was as early as May 2023, outside the time parameters of the policy. The insurance company has advised that it 'will not provide coverage for claims or incidents which the applicant is aware of prior to the inception date of any coverage that is offered and accepted.' Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us. (Photo: IMAGO) The accusations listed in Lively's complaint against Baldoni include sexual harassment; retaliation; failure to investigate, prevent and/or remedy harassment; aiding and abetting harassment and retaliation; breach of contract; intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligence; false light invasion of privacy and interference with prospective economic advantage. Baldoni then filed a $400 million countersuit, which claimed that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, orchestrated a smear campaign against him. His countersuit was dismissed by a judge earlier this month. 'Despite the acknowledged pre-July 2023 complaints by Lively and others, Wayfarer's July 2023 Application for the 2023 Policy includes a letter from Wayfarer which warrants that no person or entity for whom the insurance is intended has any knowledge or information of any act, error, omission, fact or circumstance which may give rise to a claim which may fall within the Employment Practices Liability coverage if issued by Harco (the '2023 Warranty'),' the lawsuit states. 'Despite this notice, and despite the November 2023 Demand and additional allegations of sexual harassment presented by Lively during a January 2024 meeting, Wayfarer's 2024 Renewal Application advised Harco that there was no claim, notice of potential claim, or any situation that may give rise to a claim within the last 12 months,' it continues. 'There was no claim or notice or potential claim.' Essentially, Harco are alleging that they were not informed of Blake Lively's complaints, which were a precursor to the litigation that followed, during the filming of It Ends With Us. The ongoing legal issues come after latest developments in Lively's initial lawsuit saw her deposed by Baldoni's team ahead of trial. Lively was granted a protective order by the judge presiding over the case, after her team feared Baldoni's would make a public spectacle it and that content creators would be invited to the should-be private deposition - which took place on 17 July. The director's legal team was therefore asked to identify everyone who will attend her deposition, They were required to give two days notice as to who will be attending. Before this motion was granted, Baldoni's team suggested that the Gossip Girl actor was using her 'celebrity status' as well as trying to dictate and control the deposition, 'at a location of her choosing.' 'Lively is a plaintiff who has hurled serious allegations of misconduct against the Wayfarer Parties,' a letter from Baldoni's team reads. 'Like all defendants, the Wayfarer Parties are entitled to depose Lively to develop evidence crucial to their defense. They are also entitled to choose the location of the deposition, which they did.' His team also referred to Lively's requests as examples of 'foot stomping' referring to her lawyer's behaviour as a 'tantrum,' and that she has used her celebrity status to 'seize control' of It Ends With Us, which Baldoni and Lively both starred in. Statements were made by Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman about holding Lively's deposition at New York City's Madison Square Garden. 'Hold the deposition at MSG, sell tickets or stream it, and donate every dollar to organisations helping victims of domestic abuse,' he told People in an interview. Freedman has also subpoenaed Taylor Swift as part of his legal strategy, who he has claimed was the target of an extortion effort by Lively. The date for Lively and Baldoni's trial is set for March 2026 and will be held in New York City. Lawyers for both actors have indicated that both plan to testify during the proceedings.
National Post
29-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Launches Executive Lines for Private Companies in Canada, Names Leadership
Article content BOSTON & TORONTO — Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has introduced an update to their Private Company Executive Lines suite of products in Canada and named Shaun Lue as Private Company Leader. The new modular offering includes expansive Directors & Officers Liability, Fiduciary Liability and Employment Practices Liability coverage to complement the Crime and Side A Difference in Conditions (DIC) Insurance currently offered in all provinces and territories in Canada. Article content Article content 'We are excited to round out our Executive Lines offerings and further strengthen our partnerships with private companies throughout Canada,' said Andrew Knight, Country Manager and Head of Executive & Professional Lines, Canada, at BHSI. 'Our new Private Company Executive Lines suite leverages our BHSI strengths – including our long-view stability-focused underwriting, CLAIMS IS OUR PRODUCT philosophy, and the security of our financial strength.' Article content The suite provides comprehensive and customizable Industry-leading coverage with limits up to $25 million for private companies. BHSI has a broad appetite for the segment, including US-exposed risks, no industry specific restrictions, and imposes no minimum premiums. Article content Shaun joined BHSI in 2021 as Senior Underwriter, Executive Lines, and was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Executive Lines in 2023. He has more than a decade of industry experience specializing in Executive Lines and is a Chartered Insurance Professional. Shaun is based in Toronto and can be reached at In Canada, BHSI also provides a full range of Executive Lines coverages for public companies and financial institutions. Article content Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance ( provides commercial property, casualty, healthcare professional liability, executive and professional lines, transactional liability, surety, marine, travel, programs, accident and health, medical stop loss, homeowners, and multinational insurance. The actual and final terms of coverage for all product lines may vary. In Canada it underwrites on the paper of National Liability & Fire Insurance Company, a part of Berkshire Hathaway's National Indemnity group of insurance companies, which hold financial strength ratings of A++ from AM Best and AA+ from Standard & Poor's. Based in Boston, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Irvine, Los Angeles, New York, Plymouth Meeting, San Francisco, San Ramon, Seattle, Stevens Point, Adelaide, Auckland, Barcelona, Brisbane, Brussels, Calgary, Cologne, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Lyon, Macau, Madrid, Manchester, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, Paris, Perth, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, and Zurich. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Launches Executive Lines for Private Companies in Canada, Names Leadership
BOSTON & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025-- Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has introduced an update to their Private Company Executive Lines suite of products in Canada and named Shaun Lue as Private Company Leader. The new modular offering includes expansive Directors & Officers Liability, Fiduciary Liability and Employment Practices Liability coverage to complement the Crime and Side A Difference in Conditions (DIC) Insurance currently offered in all provinces and territories in Canada. 'We are excited to round out our Executive Lines offerings and further strengthen our partnerships with private companies throughout Canada,' said Andrew Knight, Country Manager and Head of Executive & Professional Lines, Canada, at BHSI. 'Our new Private Company Executive Lines suite leverages our BHSI strengths – including our long-view stability-focused underwriting, CLAIMS IS OUR PRODUCT philosophy, and the security of our financial strength.' The suite provides comprehensive and customizable Industry-leading coverage with limits up to $25 million for private companies. BHSI has a broad appetite for the segment, including US-exposed risks, no industry specific restrictions, and imposes no minimum premiums. Shaun joined BHSI in 2021 as Senior Underwriter, Executive Lines, and was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Executive Lines in 2023. He has more than a decade of industry experience specializing in Executive Lines and is a Chartered Insurance Professional. Shaun is based in Toronto and can be reached at [email protected]. In Canada, BHSI also provides a full range of Executive Lines coverages for public companies and financial source version on CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT JoAnn Lee / +1 617.936.2937 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INSURANCE HUMAN RESOURCES SOURCE: Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/29/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 04/29/2025 07:59 AM
