WARD A. RIVERS

Ward Rivers joined Deasey, Mahoney, Valentini & North, Ltd., as an associate after enjoying a successful career in the insurance and reinsurance industry. Ward represents primary and excess carriers in matters involving insurance coverage and bad faith. He has successfully represented clients in coverage matters, receiving summary judgments, negotiated rescissions, negotiated settlements, and defense verdicts.

Ward has extensive experience with construction defect litigation on behalf of several carriers and has issued numerous coverage opinions addressing complex issues under professional liability policies. He has successfully advised clients regarding complex coverage matters addressing New Jersey law and has served as monitoring counsel and coordinating counsel in complex nursing home litigation.

With over 14 years of diverse experience prior to joining the firm, Ward has an extensive background in products liability, construction defects, asbestos, workers’ compensation, and other long-term exposure claims. As a Reinsurance Claims Specialist with CIGNA for eight years, he analyzed and adjusted reinsurance claims and was also part of a task force established to analyze and interpret reinsurance treaties. For five years he was responsible for drafting and negotiating all types of reinsurance contracts covering life, annuity, variable annuity, accident, health, and major medical insurance for the AIG Life Companies (U.S.). While at AIG, Ward also had extensive experience interpreting statutory requirements for reinsurance contracts, including letters of credit and funds held, annual financial reporting, and holding company acts. Most recently, Ward was at ACE USA, where he was involved in addressing coverage for, and adjusting of, asbestos and silica claims and other long-term exposure claims.

Ward is married, with three children, and assists with his children’s sports activities. He is also actively involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as a leader and merit badge counselor. His outside interests include music, running, hiking, and camping.

Education

• Widener University (B.S. 1988, cum laude)
• Widener University (M.B.A. 1994)
• Widener University School of Law (J.D. 2002, cum laude)

Experience

• Deasey, Mahoney, Valentini & North, Ltd. (2003–Present)
• ACE USA – Philadelphia (2002–2003)
• AIG Life Companies (U.S.) – Wilmington, Del. (1996–2002)
• CIGNA – Philadelphia (1989–1996)

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Awards and Designations

• Alpha Chi National Honor Society
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (undergraduate)
• Phi National Honor Society, Harrington Inn (Widener Law)