Amerisure Not Entitled to Attorney’s Fees From Global Re Arbitration, Ill. State Judge Rules

CHICAGO — Applying New York, rather than Illinois law, an Illinois state judge has ruled that Amerisure Mutual Insurance Co. is not entitled to attorney’s fees arising from its arbitration of a reinsurance contract dispute with Global Reinsurance Company of America.

On Nov. 13, Judge Ronald Bartkowicz of the Cook County (Ill.) Circuit Court ruled that the dispute has the “most significant contacts” with New York, therefore the law of that state applies. Under New York law, attorney’s fees are deemed incidental and may not be recovered unless supported by statute, court rule or written agreement of the parties. None …