Claims People: Gallagher Bassett, Clyde & Co., SBSB Law

Gallagher Bassett Speciality has appointed Doug Betkowski as senior vice president and transportation practice leader for its major case unit.

Betkowski will focus on severe, complex and high-exposure claims for GB, an international provider of claims administration and risk management services. He will be based in the Phoenix, Arizona office.

Betkowski most recently served as corporate director of claims and litigation for Swift Transportation, where he oversaw bodily injury and physical damage claims. He is a member of the Transportation Industry Defense Association board of directors. He also serves on the American Law Firm Association (ALFA) Client Advisory Board.

Betkowski succeeds Keith Dunlap, who is retired.

Clyde & Co., a global law firm, has re-hired Stacey Rufe as a partner in its global insurance practice, based in Washington D.C.

Rufe has more than 15 years experience as an attorney representing insurance carriers, the law firm said in a press release. She focuses her practice on complex high-exposure financial lines matters, including directors & officers, private equity and professional liability.

Ruhe is a former senior counsel for Clyde & Co. She was one of the founders when the firm opened its Washington D.C. office in 2017. She most recently was employed as a senior litigation counsel for CNA Insurance’s Claim Legal Group.

Ruhe has also given coverage advice related to financial lines, errors and omissions, private equity, employment practices liability, professional liability, and cyber, tech and media policies, the law firm said.

“This is an exceptionally active time for D&O insurance claims relating to regulatory investigations and actions in the US, as well as shareholder suits and other types of civil litigation against companies and their directors and officers,” stated Leslie Ahari, a partner at Clyde & Co. “Stacey’s expertise in this area is ideally suited to serve our insurance clients and we welcome her back to Clyde & Co.”

The Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier law firm has hired Daryl Daigle as a partner with is transportation and maritime practice in New Orleans.

Daigle has more than 30 years of experience representing insurers and corporations in land-based and maritime claims, SBSB Law said in a press release. He has obtained successful outcomes for clients in litigation concerning asbestos exposure, premises liability and workers’ compensation.

A graduate of Louisiana State University Law, he is licensed to practice in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.