Leah M. Quadrino is of counsel in Steptoe's Washington office, where for the last ten years she has been a member of the firm’s Litigation Department. Ms. Quadrino is the immediate past Chair of the ABA’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Committee on Excess, Surplus Lines and Reinsurance and a member of the Standing Committee on Law in Public Service.

Insurance and Reinsurance

A significant portion of Ms. Quadrino’s practice is devoted to representing insurance and reinsurance companies in complex litigation before federal and state courts and arbitration panels. She has represented primary and excess carriers in matters arising out of exposure to asbestos, silica, pharmaceutical products and tainted food, as well as large-scale property damage claims arising out of hurricanes and other natural disasters. These matters have frequently involved allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, misrepresentation, and bad faith, and have raised complex trigger and allocation issues and business interruption claims.

On the reinsurance side, Ms. Quadrino has represented cedents and reinsurers in the life, health, and property/casualty industries in disputes involving a wide range of issues, including the duty of utmost good faith, follow the fortunes, contract wordings, intermediary liability, claims administration, underwriting, and actuarial matters. To that end, she has worked extensively with underwriting, claims, and actuarial experts in the reinsurance industry.

Commercial Litigation

Ms. Quadrino’s practice also includes general commercial litigation where she has represented clients in disputes involving toxic torts, employment matters, securities transactions, and governmental immunity/municipal liability issues, among other areas. Additionally, Ms. Quadrino draws on her widespread complex litigation experience to handle professional liability matters. She represents lawyers in defense of legal malpractice claims, including claims under New York Judiciary Law Section 487, and advises clients concerning allegations of malpractice and ethical violations.

Pro Bono

Ms. Quadrino maintains an active pro bono practice. She has previously provided legal assistance to recent immigrants, refugees, homeless persons, and victims of human trafficking.