Biography

Ralph A. Guirgis heads the insurance practice group for the Orange County office, focusing on London and European clients.  Mr. Guirgis principally investigates, litigates, and advises insurers on policy wordings and relevant emerging issues.  Mr. Guirgis has rendered coverage advice and litigated matters concerning a wide range of issues arising from disputes concerning directors and officers reimbursement, property, professional liability, errors and omissions, financial institutions, commercial general liability, homeowners, life, and health insurance policies.

In 2001 Mr. Guirgis was seconded for approximately one year to Faraday Underwriting Limited. His initial assignment was to analyze various Directors and Officers claims and assist in developing underwriting criteria. As time proceeded, his role developed into acting as general counsel and participating in board level decisions. He also became particularly involved in assisting with issues concerning the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Upon his return to SDMA, Mr. Guirgis continued in his role serving as Claims Counsel and as representative of Faraday Underwriting Limited in various court proceeding.

Presentations and Publications

Mr. Guirgis has spoken on a wide array of subjects at numerous seminars and has written or a wide variety of subjects including:

• October 2001 London, England. Excess/Surplus Lines Claims Association: World Trade Center Coverage Issues
• February 11, 2002 Monterey, California. Thirty-First Annual Conference Excess/Surplus Lines Claims Association: World Trade Center: Overview of Litigation and Coverage Issues
• May 14, 2003 London, England. Excess/Surplus Lines Claims Association: IPO Allocation Practices
• March 19, 2003 Insurance Day Article: US Initial Public Offering Litigation
• August 2003 Article: Litigation Against Investment Banks Concerning IPO Allocation Practices
• September 15, 2003 Rancho Bernardo, California. Thirty-Second Annual Conference Excess/Surplus Lines Claims Association: IPO Allocation Practices
• January 23, 2004 British Insurance Law Association: Laddering: What is it and what are its Consequences
• April 26, 2006 Excess/Surplus Lines Claims Association: Katrina Legal Update
• SDMA Annual London Seminars 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008 : Various topics including Enron, WorldCom and IPO Allocation Practices, as well as Subprime Litigation.
• • November 6, 2008 Fifth International Liability Regimes Conference: Subprime Litigation and Its Seemingly Ever-Expanding Reach

Memberships & Honors

While attending law school, Mr. Guirgis served as the assistant comment editor of the Pacific Law Journal.