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Jonathan MacBride
Partner
Philadelphia
Cira Centre
2929 Arch Street, Suite 1700
Philadelphia PA 19104
TEL: (484) 532-5341
{ mail } jmacbride@zellelaw.com
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Practice Areas
Bar and Court Admissions
Education

Jonathan R. MacBride

Jon’s practice for over 25 years has focused on first-party property insurance. He represents some of the world’s largest domestic and international insurance companies in complex claims and litigation around the U.S.

Jon has handled a wide variety of claims, including, fires, explosions, construction defects, turbine failures, refractory losses, wind turbine failures, cyber and natural disasters.  His practice includes evaluation of coverage under All-Risk, Builder’s Risk, Boiler and Machinery, Energy, Renewable Energy, Cyber and Contingency policies.

Clients retain Jon because of his ability to handle and resolve complex claims in an efficient and expedient manner. Jon is respected for his ability to identify the critical issues in a claim and advising clients on the best path to resolution.

In addition to coverage work, Jon is regularly retained to defend insurers in litigation of breach of contract and extracontractual claims. He has handled matters in numerous federal and state courts throughout the country.

Jon speaks frequently on topics relevant to the industry on first-party coverage matters and is a past chair of the ABA Property Insurance Law Committee.  

Representative Matters

Handled coverage and defense of litigation arising from a claim in excess of $2 billion arising from a fire and explosion at the Philadelphia Energy refinery.

Provided coverage advice for $17.5 million claim at coal fired electrical generating plant regarding dispute over reinstatement costs after fire loss.

Defended insurer in litigation arising from $4 million claim related to alleged damage to refractory in glass manufacturing furnace.

Defended insurers in suit over coverage arising from $20 million claim from alleged spoilage of potatoes during storage.

Defended insurer in suit over coverage for property damage and business interruption losses arising from equipment breakdown claim related to refrigeration equipment used to process seafood.

Provided coverage advice on a claim under a Builder’s Risk policy for a loss arising from a multi building construction project.

Provide coverage advice on a claim under a Builder’s Risk policy for arcing of a bus duct during a mall expansion project.

Provided coverage advice on a $40 million claim arising from a fire and explosion at a large wax manufacturing facility.

Provided coverage advice on a contingent business interruption loss arising from the collapse of a methane collection system in a landfill that supplied methane to an offsite facility that upgraded the methane to pipeline quality natural gas.

Provided coverage advice on a claim arising from separate failures of a two-stage centrifugal gas compressor at a landfill gas processing system.

Provided coverage advice on multiple claims arising from blade wrinkles in blades on wind turbines at several wind farms.

Provided coverage advice on a claim involving potential coverage for fraudulent wire transfers based on corrupted emails under a commercial crime policy’s computer fraud coverage.

Articles & Presentations

"The Complexities of CBI Insurance for Methane Gas Processing Facilities," Afternoon with Zelle in London, February 24, 2024, co-presenter

"Business Interruption/COVID-19" case summary, Insurance Litigation Reporter, May 19, 2023, author

"Property Insurance/Code Upgrades" case summary, Insurance Litigation Reporter, February 17, 2023, author

"Property Insurance/Reformation" case summary, Insurance Litigation Reporter, February 2, 2023, author

"Recent Developments in Property Insurance Coverage Litigation," Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2020, co-author

"Civil Authority Coverage for Coronavirus Claims," Zelle Webinar, April 21, 2020, co-presenter

"Coronavirus and Event Cancellation Policies—Coverage Issues and Outlook," Zelle Webinar, April 15, 2020, co-presenter

"The Impact Of The Coronavirus On The Entertainment Insurance Industry—Preliminary Issues To Consider In The Adjustment Of Claims," April 6, 2020, co-author

"Civil Authority Coverage for Coronavirus Claims," March 29, 2020, author

"CAT Loss - Commercial Property Coverage Issues," Zelle CAT-Law Webinar Week, July 22, 2019, co-presenter

"Recent Developments in Property Insurance Coverage Litigation," Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2019, co-author

"The Difference A Year Makes: Review Of Property Insurance Law (2018)," American Bar Association Property Insurance Law Committee Spring Conference, May 10, 2019, co-presenter 

"Event Cancellation Claims May Follow Gov't Shutdown," Insurance Law360, February 12, 2019, co-author

"Ohio High Court Enters Debate on Faulty Work Insurance," Insurance Law360, December 4, 2018, author

"Recent Developments in Property Insurance Coverage Litigation," Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, March 30, 2018, co-author

"Windy Business: Adjusting CAT Claims Post Harvey," Property Insurance Law Committee (PILC) Spring CLE Meeting hosted by the American Bar Association, Nashville, TN, March 1-3, 2018, panelist

"Is Event Cancellation Coverage Up in Smoke?", white paper, October 25, 2017, co-author

"In the End, Pa. Supreme Court Only Clarifies Bad Faith Law," Insurance Law360, October 19, 2017, co-author

"Considering the Site of Insured Locations in Delaware," Insurance Law360, May 1, 2017, author

"Efficient Use of Coverage Extensions and Additional Coverages," Property Insurance Law Committee (PILC) Spring CLE Meeting hosted by the American Bar Association, Orlando, FL, April 6-8, 2017, panelist

"How Gov’t Shutdowns Impact Event Cancellation Policies," Insurance Law360, November 23, 2016, co-author

Product Contamination: Strong Underwriting is Key," Insurance Law360, November 15, 2016, co-author

"September 11, 2001 and Loss Valuation Including Periods of Indemnity for Time Element Losses," TIPS Property Insurance Law Committee Annual Spring CLE Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, April 8, 2016, panelist

“The Claim Determination,” 2015 ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section’s Property Insurance Law Committee’s Spring Meeting May 2015, presenter

Professional Affiliations

Noteworthy

Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024, 2025

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer 2023, 2024

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer "Rising Star" 2006, 2007

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