Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that Chad Dunigan, a partner and trusted voice in insurance and construction litigation, will present as part of a roundtable at the 2025 CLM Construction Conference in San Diego. His session, "From Verdicts to Fallout: Are Fear-Driven Settlements Avoidable?" will take place Friday, September 19, from 9:45- 10:45 a.m.
In collaboration with fellow thought leaders, Kristina Ashcraft- Corporate Vice President for MC Consultants, Inc; Sheila Totorp- Senior Claims Technical Director for Great American Custom Insurance Services, Inc. and David Smith- Associate General Counsel for Toll Bros., Inc., the panel will unpack the growing trend of nuclear settlements, which often reflect outcomes driven more by fear of litigation fallout than the strength of the facts. With inflated repair claims, questionable evidence, and increasingly aggressive negotiation tactics on the rise, this roundtable will provide a national perspective on how professionals can push back with clarity, confidence, and fairness.
"We're seeing a sharp rise in claims being settled not on merit, but on fear," said Dunigan. "This session is about reclaiming control- helping construction and insurance professionals develop disciplined, defensible approaches to evaluating and resolving high-exposure disputes."
Attendees will leave with practical strategies to counter exaggerated damage assertions, navigate jurisdiction-specific hurdles, and protect against runaway settlement demands — tools critical for today's high-stakes claims environment.
Held September 17-19, 2025, the CLM Construction Conference is the premier national event for professionals in the construction, insurance, and risk management industries. It is known for offering forward-thinking education, real-world insights, and unmatched networking opportunities.
For more information or to register for the event, please visit: https://events.theclm.org/event/Construction25/summary.
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Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of over 500 lawyers across 43 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
At WSHB, our strength lies in our diverse and accomplished team of attorneys. We boast thought leaders and defense specialists in over 41 fields of practice, covering an extensive range of specialties. Founded in 1997, we are proud to be among the top ten law firms in the nation for diversity, female partners, female lawyers, and Hispanic lawyers. This rich tapestry of diversity forms the foundation of our success when presenting cases to juries of our peers, ensuring we understand the unique nuances underlying each claim.
Our expansive geographic footprint allows us to provide effective and efficient representation to clients nationwide, regardless of their location, background, or legal expertise. By prioritizing strategic and cost-effective approaches to litigation, our dedicated attorneys work tirelessly to protect the interests of our clients. We have a track record of success, securing numerous victories such as summary judgments and defense verdicts on behalf of our clients. As a trial firm, we have taken over 2,000 cases to verdict, making us well-equipped to handle even the most complex and high-stakes litigation matters across the country.
