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Practice Areas
Education
- University of Iowa College of Urban Planning, M.S. Urban Planning, 1996
- University of Iowa College of Law, J.D. with Distinction, 1996
- University of Iowa, B.S. Political Science, Minor History, 1993
Bar and Court Admissions
- State Court: Iowa, Minnesota
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court: District of Minnesota
Past Professional Experience
- Norman, Gilloon, Wright & Hamel, P.C., Dubuque, Iowa Attorney, 1998-2003
- Hon. Doris Ohlsen Huspeni - MN Court of Appeals, Judicial Clerk, 1997-1998
Christopher R. Paar
Chris practices primarily in Zelle Hofmann’s complex insurance litigation practice, representing insurers in a wide range of coverage matters, including first party property, comprehensive general liability and reinsurance disputes. His experience includes large scale property losses as well as a wide range of liability matters including asbestos (products and non-products), environmental, construction defect, professional liability and products coverage disputes. He has handled matters in numerous state and federal courts throughout the country including Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Connecticut, and Alaska.
Representative Matters
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Co. v. Geo. V. Hamilton (non-products liability insurance dispute arising out of asbestos-related bodily claims, including enforcement of an arbitration provision under a previous cost-sharing agreement)
Ward Mgt. Co. v. Westport Ins. Corp., 2009 WL 411868 (W.D.Wis., Feb. 17, 2009)(applying two year statute of limitations to preclude an employee dishonesty claim and corresponding bad faith claim)
Minnesota Commercial Railway v. General Star Indemnity Co. (confirmed the law in Minnesota that an insured cannot create insurance coverage through waiver or estoppel except in very limited circumstances)
Clements v. Gamblers Supply Management Co. (federal maritime and preemption)
Articles & Presentations
"The Underwriter’s Role Against Contra Proferentem," Insurance Law360, January 11, 2012, co-author
Professional Affiliations
- Iowa Bar Association
- Minnesota Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Noteworthy
Chris was named a "Rising Star" for 2009 and 2010 by Minnesota Law & Politics. He was named a "Super Lawyer" for 2011.
