Atty. Scott M. Seaman
Scott Seaman Scott is a commercial litigator and trial and appellate lawyer with more than 38 years of experience. Scott is widely regarded as one of the leading attorneys in the United States representing insurers and reinsurers in property and casualty matters.
Profile Summary
About Scott M. Seaman at a glance
Scott M. Seaman is a insurance attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois. Educated at Loyola University Chicago (JD). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Insurance (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Scott Seaman Scott is a commercial litigator and trial and appellate lawyer with more than 38 years of experience
- Scott is widely regarded as one of the leading attorneys in the United States representing insurers and reinsurers in property and casualty matters
- He is known for employing his deep knowledge of the law and insurance and financial industries, strategic thinking, and honed trial and appellate advocacy to produce creative solutions and outstanding results for clients on a cost-effective basis
- Clients regularly turn to Scott and his team for counsel and representation in challenging and high-stakes matters
- Overview of Practice Scott has a long track record of successfully representing companies before trial courts, appellate courts, and arbitration panels across the country in a variety of cases and matters involving general liability coverage (primary, umbrella, and excess), professional liability coverage, first-party property coverage, bad faith and extra-contractual matters, fee disputes, and facultative and treaty reinsurance contracts
- He has served as national coverage counsel as well as trial and appellate counsel
- He also advises and represents companies on cyber, artificial intelligence, data breach, IoT, nanotechnology, gig economy, viruses and pandemics, representations and warranties and transactional insurance, social unrest, climate change, and other emerging issues, as well as a wide-range of case-specific and portfolio issues
- Scott also has handled a variety of challenging international, professional liability, health/life science, director and officer liability, tort and product liability, and business and commercial cases
- Scott has served as an arbitrator and has been retained as an expert witness on insurance issues
- He has drafted contract language, trained insurance and reinsurance professionals, assisted companies in evaluating and resolving issues in the claims stage and in designing insurance programs
- Practice Group & Industry Leadership Scott is co-chair of Hinshaw's global Insurance Services Practice Group, Insurance Industry leader, and serves on the firm's Executive Committee
- He has had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and talented senior management, legal counsel, and insurance and reinsurance claims and litigation professionals in the world and of serving as counsel in precedent-setting cases involving some of the most challenging contemporary coverage and reinsurance issues confronting the insurance industry
- Scott was named to the inaugural list of Midwest Trailblazers by The American Lawyer magazine
- The list recognizes 50 professionals from 12 Midwestern states "who have moved the needle in the legal industry" and "are truly agents of change
- He was selected for his "high-profile, complex insurance coverage cases nationwide, which resulted in precedent setting rulings that have altered insurance law
- Scott is featured in Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law, 2024 and Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Litigator & Trial Attorney 2025
- He is a founding fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and Litigation Counsel of America
- Scott has earned a Band 1 Ranking by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- According to market comments: In ranking Seaman, Chambers USA states: "Scott Seaman is client-centric and responsive
- He is a knowledge leader and is a standout in terms of coverage
- He is technical and exceptionally good with c-suite level people." (2025)
- Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes: "Scott is a wonderful, insightful, and kind individual who is a pleasure to work with." (2024). "[He] receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes
- One client raved, "Scott is a great lawyer that does a wonderful job in defending any matter
- According to another source, "Scott is a superb reinsurance and insurance coverage lawyer and is among a small group of the most knowledgeable in the industry
- Another client described Scott as "a thought leader." (2023) "Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. 'Scott brings a unique level of energy, insight, creative problem solving, and a genuine focus on the client experience.'" (2022) "Scott Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, business interruption, and product liability disputes. 'He is very knowledgeable and greatly sought after by insurers.'" (2021) "Scott Seaman is described by market sources as a 'real intellectual,' Seaman receives praise for his representation of insurance carriers in environmental, asbestos, and product liability disputes
- Clients appreciate his 'ability to get to the heart of the issues and come up with creative ways to resolve a case.'" (2020) "Scott Seaman co-chairs the firm's insurance department and is lauded for his experience in a variety of coverage disputes
- His areas of expertise include toxic tort and environmental matters
- Market sources report: 'He is very proactive, extremely intelligent and results-oriented.'" (2019) "Scott Seaman is widely acknowledged for his knowledge across the insurance market, regularly handling complex coverage disputes
- One client lauds, 'Scott's expertise is unsurpassed
- His ability to present complex issues in a concise and easy-to-understand manner is astounding.'" (2018) "Scott Seaman highly regarded in the market for his in-depth insurance expertise and is described as both 'extremely gifted' and 'a great attorney.' He is frequently called on to assist with allocation, professional liability and construction defect issues as well as other insurance disputes." (2017) "Scott Seaman has the 'uncanny ability to make the complex understandable,' according to commentators, who point to his superb knowledge in the insurance space
- He is highly respected for his robust insurance and reinsurance litigation practice, with sources particularly highlighting that 'he's the expert when it comes to excess and umbrella policies.'" (2016) "'Superior trial lawyer' Scott Seaman is experienced in all forms of insurance dispute
- According to clients, 'he is a straight shooter who is experienced and knows the issues
- We like the results that he gets us.'" (2015) "Scott Seaman is well respected for his longtime experience as a litigator, and he has notable expertise in complex insurance and reinsurance coverage cases
- He is also an expert in bad faith insurance matters
- Sources describe him as a 'terrific lawyer' and as someone who has the respect of the market." (2014) "Scott Seaman is respected for his expertise in bad faith and reinsurance matters as well as complex insurance coverage cases
- He has recently been involved in a series of significant litigation matters and reinsurance arbitrations." (2013) "Department head Scott Seaman has a fine reputation among clients and peers alike as 'a leading expert in complex insurance coverage issues.' He splits his practice between coverage litigation and reinsurance arbitration work, and earns particular praise from clients for his expertise in asbestos and environmental coverage issues." (2012) "Scott Seaman is an eminent coverage lawyer with extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance, and besides practicing he writes prolifically on both topics." (2011) "Scott Seaman is praised for his specialized experience in complex insurance and reinsurance matters." (2010)
- Professional & Educational Background Prior to joining Hinshaw, Scott was a partner in a litigation firm headquartered in Chicago, where he served as chairman of that firm's national insurance coverage litigation and counseling practice
- He began his legal career at the international firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom and was a member of its litigation and products liability and insurance coverage practice groups
- Scott graduated first in his law school class
- He was a law journal editor and a recipient of the Illinois Lawyers Auxiliary Scholarship, the Loyola Leadership and Service Award, the Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Award, the Judge John C. Hayes Award, the Thomas L. Owens Award, and the Judge John V. McCormack Award
- Publications & Presentations Scott is a prolific author and widely sought after speaker on substantive legal issues as well as on litigation practice matters
- His writings have been cited by the highest courts in Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, Wisconsin and West Virginia and by other state and federal appellate and trial courts across the country
- His treatise, Allocation of Losses in Complex Insurance Claims (13th Ed Thomson Reuters 2025), addresses many of the important issues driving contemporary insurance claims and coverage litigation and reinsurance cessions and arbitrations
- His book America 250: The History of Insurance & Insurance Coverage Law & Litigation in the United States was published in conjunction with America's 250th birthday
- Scott earned the JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, Top Author in Insurance in 2021 – 2025
Practice Areas Explained
Scott M. Seaman's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Scott M. Seaman handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Insurance Law
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Scott M. Seaman is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Illinois
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Scott M. Seaman
Where is Scott M. Seaman's law office located?
Scott M. Seaman's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Scott M. Seaman handle?
Scott M. Seaman focuses on insurance. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Illinois.
Where did Scott M. Seaman go to law school?
Scott M. Seaman earned their education at (JD).
How can I contact Scott M. Seaman for a consultation?
You can contact Scott M. Seaman directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Scott M. Seaman received?
Scott M. Seaman's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Insurance; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:.
Practice Areas
Education
JD
Loyola University Chicago
- In Progress
Awards
Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Insurance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Reinsurance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Illinois Super Lawyers (
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Crain’s Chicago Business
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Notable Litigator & Trial Attorney 2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law, 2024
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Band I Ranking in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Illinois, Insurance Dispute Resolution (2010 – present)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — JD Supra Reader Choice Awards Top Author In Insurance (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top Tier in Commercial Litigation - Illinois 2015 (Corporate LiveWire)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois – 2014 (Global Law Experts Practice Awards)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Loyola Leadership and Service Award
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Award
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Judge John C Hayes Award
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Thomas L. Owens Award
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Judge John V. McCormack Award
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lymphoma Research Foundation Inaugural Tribute Award Recipient
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — InterContinental Finance Magazine Continent Awards Insurance & Reinsurance Litigator of 2013 – North America
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, 1999 – present
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Leading Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Commercial Litigation and Insurance; Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law, 2009 – present
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Euromoney Legal Media Group
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Expert Guides: World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers, 2018 – present
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — CEO Monthly
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Chairperson Awards, Insurance & Business Lawyer of the Year, 2024
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Midwest Trailblazer, The American Lawyer, 2021
- 2026
Bar Admissions
Illinois, Illinois
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