Claims People: Global Aerospace, Cowbell Cyber, Chartwell Law, Berger Kahn

Global Aerospace has appointed Rachel Priester as director of claims — USA, effective Feb. 7.

Priester will report to Jeff Bruno, president and chief underwriting officer.

Priester has 12 years of experience in the insurance industry. She previously was a managing claims counsel for CNA Insurance. Before then, she was a managing assistant general counsel for the Hartford, the she held various roles within the law department since 2010.

Priester is a graduate of Harvard University and the Georgetown University Law Center.

Global Aerospace is an international aeronautics insurer with a US headquarters in Morris, Plains, N.J.

Cowbell Cyber has appointed Theresa Le as head of claims and risk engineering and Don Palardy as lead actuary.

The Pleasanton, Calif.-based insurer, which uses artificial intelligence to continuously monitor cyber risks, said it made the two appointments “as it aggressively moves into its next growth phase.”

Le most recently served as vice president and cyber claims expert at Swiss Re. She has for more than a decade of experience with international and domestic cyber insurers, including AXA XL and London market syndicates, on cyber coverage, crisis management and dispute resolution strategies, Cowbell said.

Le was also senior counsel at Clyde & Co., Atheria Law and Duane Morris, where her practice included monitoring complex cyber claims.

Palaardy was previously senior pricing actuary, professional lines, for Axis Reinsurance.

Chartwell Law appointed David A. Rich and Sean J. McCarthy as partners with its general liability and insurance coverage team in Boston.

Rich has litigated matters involving product liability claims, trucking and transportation claims, as well as design defect claims against engineers and architects concerning construction defect negligence, the insurance defense firm said in a press release. He is admitted to practice in Alabama, Massachusetts, and New York.

McCarthy has litigated matters involving general liability, professional liability, casualty defense, and commercial matters in Massachusetts. Additionally, he represents and advises construction and design professionals throughout the United States in complex claims arising from major private and public construction projects and assists insurers in complex coverage matters.

“Our bench of excellent attorneys is getting even deeper and stronger and builds on our growth in 2021 with our expansion into the northwestern U.S. and the opening of our Portland, Oregon office,” stated Chartwell chief communications officer Tom Strohmetz.

The Berger Kahn law firm in Irvine, Calif. has hired attorney Adam Romney as senior counsel with its wildfire litigation team.

Romney has 15 years of experience in litigation, having practiced in both California and Arizona, the firm said in a press release. He obtained his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School.

Prior to joining Berger Kahn, Romney prosecuted wildfire subrogation claims against utilities and public entities, including the North Bay Fire and Camp Fire against Pacific Gas & Electric, the Thomas Fire and Woolsey Fire against Southern California Edison, and the Little Valley Fire against the state of Nevada.