Matthew A. Chiricosta

While Matt has deep experience litigating complex insurance disputes on behalf of policyholders when such disputes become unavoidable, he brings a proactive and cost-effective problem-solving approach to resolving complex insurance coverage matters and recovering insurance policy proceeds for policyholders.

Matt is one of just 23 Ohio lawyers certified as an Insurance Coverage Law Specialist by the Ohio State Bar Association. And, since 2022, Matt has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers USA in Insurance Law, most recently ranked in Band 3 in Ohio (2024). Clients interviewed by Chambers USA stated that Matt is “outstanding to work with,” is “responsive and knowledgeable,” is “very smart, hard-working, and detail-oriented,” and has “very good technical expertise.” 

Matt earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from Cleveland State University College of Law in 2012, where he served as the Cleveland State Law Review research editor. He earned his B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Allegheny College in 2009.

Honors & Recognitions

• Chambers USA, Insurance Law, Band 3, Ohio (2022-2024)
• Benchmark Litigation's “40 & Under List" and "Future Star" – Midwest and Ohio: Insurance Litigation (2022-2025)
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law (2021-2025)
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars, Insurance Coverage (2015-2025)

Education

Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Insurance Coverage Law, 2023

J.D., summa cum laude, Cleveland State University College of Law, 2012

B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, Allegheny College, 2009

Experience

Representative Insurance Coverage Matters

• Obtained a $110 million judgment against a general liability insurer for a publicly traded policyholder client in connection with high-exposure toxic tort claims.
• Obtained insurance coverage for a privately held client in connection with potentially high-exposure asbestos claims, causing large liability insurer to reverse several coverage denials prior to the filing of coverage litigation.
• Obtained insurance coverage for a privately held client for "bet the company" shareholder litigation involving dueling factions of officers and directors.
• Obtained summary judgment for Calfee’s food industry client in federal coverage litigation relating to underlying lawsuits stemming from a nationwide food product recall.
• After litigating wide-ranging coverage disputes in multiple state and federal courts relating to a client’s asbestos litigation portfolio to favorable rulings, obtained more than $28 million in reinsurance proceeds for Calfee’s publicly traded client.
• Obtained seven figures in defense costs coverage under a directors & officers policy for a privately held client in “bet the company” litigation brought by a national competitor after persuading the insurer to reverse its initial denial of coverage.
• Persuaded general liability insurer to pay $2.5 million to settle a product liability/construction defect lawsuit by establishing that the insurer’s claims-handling conduct waived all potential coverage defenses.
• Currently representing a publicly traded client in multiple state and federal courts in coverage lawsuits with many of the world’s largest insurers relating to claims brought in multiple states by government regulators and private claimants alleging that the client’s emissions have resulted in injury.
• Represented publicly traded, Fortune 500, natural resources and manufacturing company in connection with insurance claims pertaining to the costs of certain environmental contamination remediation and obtained a favorable settlement after prevailing on several key motions in coverage lawsuits in multiple states.
• Serving as coverage counsel for a large educational institution facing hundreds of claims in connection with sexual misconduct committed by a former employee, assisting the client in seeking insurance coverage for the defense and indemnification of those claims valued in the multiple billions of dollars.

Representative White-Collar Defense and Investigations Matters

• Representing a nonprofit entity in a corruption investigation by the Ohio Attorney General and a grand jury.
• Obtained favorable resolution of a corruption investigation conducted by federal and state law enforcement and prosecutorial officials, resulting in the closing of the investigation with no charges against Calfee’s client or any of its employees.

Representative Business, Corporate, and Commercial Litigation Matters

• First-chaired a bench trial and obtained a permanent injunction and monetary judgment for a public utility client.
• Following briefing and oral argument, obtained a unanimous decision from Ohio’s 8th District Court of Appeals resulting in a judgment entitling Calfee’s client to advancement of his litigation expenses during the pendency of litigation and the creation of new law involving Ohio’s corporate advancement statute.
• Following briefing and oral argument, obtained a unanimous decision from Ohio’s 8th District Court of Appeals affirming the total dismissal of an equitable reformation claim relating to a $1.343 million real estate transaction.
• Obtained from the Ohio Supreme Court a favorable ruling on the merits of a $1.2 million municipal income tax refund case.
• Obtained a judgment for Calfee’s privately held client exceeding $580,000, including attorney's fees and interest.
• Obtained dismissal in the trial and appeals courts of multi-million-dollar employee severance contract claims brought by former executives against one of Calfee’s large publicly held clients.
• Obtained favorable settlement in a federal tax refund case for a hospital system client, resulting in a tax refund exceeding $1 million.
• Obtained early dismissal of original action brought against an Ohio public official in the Ohio Supreme Court.
• Obtained injunctive relief for a private real estate developer, allowing a multi-million-dollar construction project to resume.
• Obtained total summary judgment and dismissal of ERISA pension claims brought against one of Calfee’s large publicly held clients by a former executive.

Additional Litigation Matters

• Obtained from the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals the reversal and remand of an erroneous federal district court ruling while representing an indigent criminal defendant in a federal habeas corpus.

Professional & Community

• Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Program, represents economically disadvantaged clients in various litigation matters on a pro bono basis

Client Feedback

• "Matthew is knowledgeable, experienced, and creative He has always been incredibly responsive and available at a moment's notice." – Chambers USA 2023 client quote
• "Matt's a favorite because he's very smart, hard-working, and detail-oriented." – Chambers USA 2023 client quote
• "Matthew has very good technical expertise, coupled with good practical advice." – Chambers USA 2023 client quote

Presentations

• "The Most Important Insurance Policyholder Decisions of 2024," Practising Law Institute (January 6, 2025)