Dear Fellows,

As we wrap up the last weeks of summer and look forward to fall, I wanted to take a moment to share how impressed I have been by the tremendous amount of work done behind the scenes that makes the College such a special place. In every committee meeting, programming conference call, and initiative I have had the opportunity to participate in or observe, I have been struck by the incredible dedication, thoughtfulness, and generosity of time and ideas of our Fellows. It is a testament to the commitment of you—our Fellows—that the College continues to thrive as the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing the creative, ethical, and efficient adjudication of insurance coverage and extracontractual disputes and enhancing the civility and quality of the practice of insurance law. Thank you for everything you do to support and advance the mission of the College. Keep up the good work!

Our major fall event is just around the corner—the ACCC Annual Insurance Law Symposium at Georgia State University—and I hope many of you will join us in Atlanta on November 6, 2026. (Click here to register.) This year's symposium features an exceptionally robust program addressing a wide range of timely and important insurance coverage issues. My sincere thanks go to our program Co-Chairs, John Bonnie and Larry Bracken, whose hard work and thoughtful planning have produced what promises to be an outstanding program. I also want to express our deep appreciation to Professor Hal Weston for his invaluable guidance, insights, and generosity in hosting the College at Georgia State University. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to another exceptional symposium. 

Planning is also underway for our 2027 Annual Meeting in Chicago from May 5 through 7, 2027. I encourage every Fellow who has an idea for a compelling presentation or panel discussion to submit a program proposal. Fresh ideas and diverse perspectives are what keep our programming among the very best in the coverage space. Our Annual Meeting Co-Chairs, Vince Morgan and Christina May Bolin, together with Vice Chairs Helen Michael and Stephen Melendi, are already hard at work developing another outstanding program, and your proposals will help make the Annual Meeting even stronger.

As noted above, one of the greatest strengths of the College has always been the willingness of its Fellows to contribute their time and talents. If you have not yet become active on one of our committees—particularly if you are one of our newer Fellows—I encourage you to do so. (Click here to join a committee.) The committees are where the real work of the College gets done. They are where ideas are developed, initiatives are launched, meaningful contributions are made, and lasting professional relationships are built.

That spirit of engagement has been on full display through the outstanding work of our Pop-Up Committee, which continues to present timely and practical programming throughout the year. Its most recent presentation, "Transitioning to the Next Generation: Business and Practice Succession Planning of an Insurance Coverage Practice," featured former ACCC Presidents Mary McCutcheon and Bruce Celebrezze. Their thoughtful discussion of succession planning, client transitions, and preparing the next generation of coverage lawyers was both insightful and highly practical. My thanks to Mary, Bruce, and everyone involved in making that program such a valuable presentation for our Fellows.

Speaking of the next generation, I encourage each of you to take a few moments to consider whether there are outstanding practitioners, law professors, or judges who meet the College's rigorous standards for membership. The continued strength of the College depends upon identifying and welcoming exceptional new Fellows who will carry forward our mission of excellence, collegiality, and leadership in insurance law. Your nominations play a vital role in ensuring that the College continues to flourish for years to come. (Click here for details on submitting a nomination.)

I am pleased to announce that invitations for the Honorary Fellow Research Grant Proposals have now been distributed. I encourage all our Honorary Fellows to consider submitting a research proposal. This grant program reflects the College's commitment to advancing thoughtful scholarship that benefits both academia and the practicing bar. We look forward to showcasing the selected research through a presentation at either our 2027 Annual Meeting or next year's Law Symposium.

The College continues its efforts to expand its reach and visibility. We have recently engaged in outreach to nearly ten insurance industry publications, and I am delighted by the interest we have received thus far. In particular, I would like to recognize FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation and Global Legal Post for their interest in working with us to highlight the expertise of our Fellows and the important work of the College in their publications. These relationships present exciting opportunities for us to broaden our voice within the insurance coverage and extracontractual/bad-faith legal communities.

Finally, I want to thank every Fellow who has contributed to the ongoing work of the College—whether through committee service, speaking, writing, recruiting new Fellows, or simply volunteering your time whenever called upon. Your dedication is what makes the College so special. If you have been thinking about becoming more involved, there has never been a better time. We have exciting opportunities ahead, and we welcome your ideas, your energy, and your participation.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Atlanta in November for what promises to be an outstanding Law Symposium.

With appreciation,

Koorosh Talieh
President
American College of Coverage Counsel