Peter Kelly Golfman

Peter’s practice focuses on providing a broad range of legal services as a coverage advisor and litigator in the global insurance market focused on the energy, builder’s risk, oil and gas, cyber, liability and commercial property sectors. Within these sectors, Peter specializes in resolution of issues related to business interruption loss, delay in completion, loss of capacity, cyber loss, defects and bad faith claims. In addition to providing coverage advice, Peter represents clients in all aspects of litigation in federal and state courts as well as alternative dispute resolution proceedings throughout the country.

Prior to joining Zelle, Peter was an Assistant Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Manhattan, and an Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. In those roles, Peter represented the government in federal court and administrative proceedings.

Peter is fluent in Russian.

Representative Matters

Successfully argued on behalf of insurers to dismiss a sanctions petition before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Provided coverage advice to a Connecticut insurer on application of policy exclusions and defended against lawsuit seeking to compel appraisal before the Connecticut Superior Court.

Represented insurer in navigating numerous property appraisal proceedings in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Louisiana.

Assisted in representing a global property insurance market during mediation, resolving a multi-million-dollar coverage dispute related to product spoilage.

Successfully argued on behalf of insurer to dismiss $25 million “bad faith” claim before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Assisted in representing a global property insurance market during mediation, resolving a multi-million-dollar coverage dispute related to a defective oil pipeline.

Assisted in representing insurers across the country in legal disputes regarding losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lead trial attorney on multiple cases on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security prosecuting a large-scale fraud scheme uncovered during a 2012 FBI investigation.

Defended the U.S. Department of Commerce in federal court litigation against VICE News.

Articles & Presentations

"LEG 3," Afternoon with Zelle in London, February 24, 2024, co-presenter

“Rapid Fire Case Presentation” session at the AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society (ARIAS•U.S.) 2022 Fall Conference, November 4, 2022, presenter

"Conn. Ruling Widens Scope of Property Insurance Appraisals," Law360 Insurance Authority, March 2, 2022, author

"COVID Rulings May Support Ransomware Insurance Denials," Insurance Law360, June 17, 2021, co-author

"Revisiting the Risks Posed by Wildfires," CAT-Law Navigator, February 13, 2020, author

"3 Insurance Issues Raised by the Notre Dame Cathedral Fire," Insurance Law360, May 15, 2019, co-author

"Hurricane Michael – Business Interruption Coverage in Florida and Georgia," CAT-Law Navigator, October 15, 2018, co-author

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

Noteworthy

Peter received academic excellence awards from the University of Connecticut School of Law for achieving the top grades in Business Organizations, Evidence, and International Law. He was also named champion of the William H. Hastie Moot Court Competition.