Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in resolving complicated coverage disputes and bad faith claims, as well as leadership roles held with the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) and the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel (ACCC), Barbara O’Donnell serves as regional coverage counsel for several leading property and casualty insurance companies in the New England area. Admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, she has a proven track record of resolving defective construction, additional insured, priority of coverage, allocation and unfair claims handling disputes for insurers throughout the Northeast. To assist insurers in effective ways to minimize exposure to extra contractual liability claims, Barbara and her colleagues regularly provide insurer clients with customized presentations on proactive measures to avoid bad faith claims and emerging coverage issues and trends.

Barbara has served on the faculty of the FDCC’s Insurance Coverage Training Academy Boot Camp, an “immersion level” program offered to insurance industry professionals from around the country. She has written numerous articles on coverage and claims handling topics based upon her participation on panel presentations at DRI, FDCC and ACCC programs.

Barbara lives in Rockport, Massachusetts where she enjoys the thriving arts and music scene on Cape Ann (the “other cape” north of Boston that includes Gloucester, a historic seaports that just celebrated its 400th anniversary). She enjoys spending time with the friends she has made through her many years of active involvement in the FDCC and ACC, and has also started carving out time for travel outside the U.S., including Smithsonian trips to Ireland, Sicily and S. Italy with more to come in future years.

Lee Kennedy Co. v. Arch Insurance Company (Massachusetts 2019) 

Obtained summary judgment upholding insurer’s denial of coverage for insured’s pre-suit effort to resolve a dispute over the allegedly faulty construction of a school gymnasium. 

First Specialty Insurance Corporation v. Pilgrim Insurance Company (Massachusetts 2012) 

Obtained Appeals Court decision upholding CGL insurer’s right to deny coverage based upon application of auto use exclusion to negligent hiring and supervision claims brought against company that employed at fault driver in motor vehicle accident. 

Republic Franklin Insurance Company v. United Educators (Massachusetts 2004) 

Successfully defended educators' liability insurer against action brought by general liability insurer seeking contribution toward settlement and defense costs paid on behalf of private educational institution in action brought by student alleging wrongful discharge, breach of contract and hazing. Obtained summary judgment for insurance agent charged with failing to secure adequate and/or requested insurance coverage.