John R. Ewell

Counsel

Recent Publication:

Claims Notes: November 2024 [Alert]

John Ewell reviews recent cases and regulations impacting the insurance industry.

John concentrates his practice on insurance coverage analysis and litigation, reinsurance, and insurance regulatory matters in New York, New Jersey, and nationwide. John assists claims professionals with complex coverage analyses, potential risk transfer opportunities, and preparing disclaimers and reservations of rights letters that comply with state law. John diligently works to find cost-effective resolutions for his clients and to settle and resolve disputed coverage claims pre-litigation or at mediation. He handles declaratory judgment actions on behalf of carriers from the pleading stage through resolution, protecting the insurer's interests and making strategic recommendations. 

His broad experience includes first-party property coverage and casualty claims under homeowners, commercial general liability, auto, and excess policies. This includes Coverage B, material misrepresentation, fraud, and bad faith. He has significant experience in construction-related coverage disputes and risk transfer. Previously, John served as national coordinating counsel for a run-off carrier and directed litigation and strategy for more than 1,000 claims nationally, which involved construction accidents, construction defects, slip and fall, and fire claims. 

John assists insurers in responding to consumer complaints filed with the New York Department of Financial Services, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, and other regulators. A skilled drafter, John has drafted reinsurance treaties, policy forms, and endorsements to fit his client's needs. 

Before joining Cozen O’Connor, John was a partner with a full-service, mid-size New York law firm. He frequently presents on insurance coverage issues and regularly publishes articles for the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and New York State Bar Association, along with articles and commentary on Law360.  

John earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo Law School, where he was a publications editor of the Buffalo Law Review. During law school, he served as a student clerk for Hon. Eugene M. Fahey, Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, and interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Outside work, he enjoys weightlifting and hiking with his dog Donald. 

 

News

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 24, 2024

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Litigation likely to flow from EPA’s latest ‘forever chemicals’ regulation

April 16, 2024

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “Litigation likely to flow from EPA’s latest ‘forever chemicals’ regulation” by Business Insurance.

John Ewell Discusses New York’s Approach to Regulating Insurers’ AI Risks [Bloomberg Law]

January 29, 2024

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “New York Takes ‘Gingerly’ Approach Regulating Insurers’ AI Risks” by Bloomberg Law.

The Top Environmental Insurance Trends Of 2024

January 04, 2024

John R. Ewell was quoted in the Law360 article “The Top Environmental Insurance Trends Of 2024.” The article looks at a few of the most important environmental stories in insurance over the past year, while considering how things might shape up in 2024.

General Liability Cases To Watch In 2024

January 04, 2024

John R. Ewell was quoted in the Law360 article “General Liability Cases To Watch In 2024.” The article focuses on some significant commercial general liability coverage decisions predicted for the first half of 2024.

Biggest General Liability Rulings From 2023's Second Half

January 04, 2024

John R. Ewell was quoted in the Law360 article “Biggest General Liability Rulings From 2023's Second Half.” The article discusses thought-provoking rulings in coverage disputes involving some hotly debated issues in the second half of 2023.

CVS' Delaware Opioid Loss Another Feather In Insurers' Cap

September 05, 2023

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis “CVS' Delaware Opioid Loss Another Feather In Insurers' Cap” by Law360.

General Liability Cases To Watch In 2nd Half Of 2023

June 30, 2023

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “General Liability Cases To Watch In 2nd Half Of 2023” by Law360.

2nd Circ. To Consider Shipper's Lost Policy Dispute

January 10, 2023

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis “2nd Circ. To Consider Shipper's Lost Policy Dispute” by Law360.

Superstorm Sandy Leaves Long Insurance Legacy At 10 Years

October 28, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis ”Superstorm Sandy Leaves Long Insurance Legacy At 10 Years” by Law360.

6th Circ. Geared Up For Next Opioid Coverage Dispute

October 19, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “6th Circ. Geared Up For Next Opioid Coverage Dispute” by Law360.

Property Insurance Cases Of Note From The 1st Half Of 2022

August 05, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis “Property Insurance Cases Of Note From The 1st Half Of 2022” by Law360.

Amber Heard Faces Fight With Insurer Over Defamation Case

July 10, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “Amber Heard Faces Fight With Insurer Over Defamation Case” by Law360.

2nd Circ. To Tackle Adequacy Of Geico Refund Program

May 16, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis “2nd Circ. To Tackle Adequacy Of Geico Refund Program” by Law360.

Self-Driving Car Crashes Will Lead To Liability Conflicts

April 15, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis “Self-Driving Car Crashes Will Lead To Liability Conflicts” by Law360.

Colorado Ruling Accelerates Debate On Adjuster Liability

March 22, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “Colorado Ruling Accelerates Debate On Adjuster Liability” by Law360.

No Need For Faulty Work Coverage Bill, Attys For Insurers Say

February 18, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the expert analysis “No Need For Faulty Work Coverage Bill, Attys For Insurers Say” by Law360.

2nd Circ. Set To Tackle Geico Underpayment Accusations

February 02, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “2nd Circ. Set To Tackle Geico Underpayment Accusations” by Law360.

NJ Gov. Signs Bill To Allow 'Bad Faith' Insurance Suits

January 19, 2022

John R. Ewell was quoted in the article “NJ Gov. Signs Bill To Allow 'Bad Faith' Insurance Suits” by Law360.

Publications

Claims Notes: November 2024 [Alert]

November 11, 2024

John Ewell reviews recent cases and regulations impacting the insurance industry.

Claims Notes: October 2024 [Alert]

October 01, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes: September 2024 [Alert]

September 06, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes: August 2024 [Alert]

August 01, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes: June 2024 [Alert]

June 27, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes: May 2024 [Alert]

May 30, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes: April 2024

April 29, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes: March, 2024

March 26, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Claims Notes

February 27, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Global Insurance Department's Claims Notes provides quick, to-the-point summaries of national insurance developments, including notable insurance decisions, legislation, trends, and regulatory guidance.

Insurance Coverage for Construction Defect Claims Made Simple

April 01, 2023

John R. Ewell co-authored the article, “Insurance Coverage for Construction Defect Claims Made Simple” for the American Bar Association (ABA) Spring 2023 edition of The Brief magazine.

NY Insurance Ruling Reveals Limits of Contra Proferentem

August 05, 2022

John Ewell co-authored the article "NY Insurance Ruling Reveals Limits of Contra Proferentem" for Law360.

Navigating Mortgage Holder Coverage Issues When the Insured Property Owner Forfeits Coverage

February 01, 2021

John R. Ewell co-authored the article, “Navigating Mortgage Holder Coverage Issues When the Insured Property Owner Forfeits Coverage” for the American Bar Association (ABA) Winter 2021 edition of The Brief magazine.

Industry Sectors

Awards & Honors

Selected to N.Y. Super Lawyers. This award is conferred by Super Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- New Jersey

Desmond Law Society of Canisius College, Mentor

Defense Research Institute

New York Bar Association

New Jersey Bar Association