The Federal Declaratory Judgment Act: Applications in Insurance Coverage Disputes

This program will explore the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act through the prism of insurance coverage disputes. After completion, participants will understand how the statute works and why insurance coverage disputes often implicate the Act. The presentation will also analyze various abstention doctrines under which federal courts may refrain from exercising their discretion to entertain actions brought under the statute. Finally, the program will illustrate how the legal concepts discussed in the presentation apply in the recent and current litigation.  

This program will benefit experienced litigators and insurance coverage attorneys.  

1. Identify the purpose of the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act
2. Explain the mechanics of how the Act works
3. Discuss why the Act often features prominently in insurance coverage disputes
4. Analyze abstention doctrines under which federal courts refrain from exercising their discretion to hear actions brought under the Act
5. Illustrate issues that arise under the Act through the lens of recent and current litigation