Your in-house counsel gives legal advice every day — standard policies don't cover it.
Professional liability protection for in-house and employed attorneys
Organizations that employ their own attorneys carry a professional liability exposure most never insure. When in-house counsel renders legal advice, drafts agreements, or manages litigation, they are practicing law — and a claim that their legal work caused harm is a professional liability matter that general liability, directors & officers, and employment practices policies were never designed to cover. Employed Lawyers Liability closes that gap.
Unlike coverage for a private law firm, this protection is built for lawyers employed by a corporation, government body, or other organization — protecting both the individual attorneys and the entity that employs them.
What Employed Lawyers Liability Covers
Coverage generally responds to:
Professional Legal Services — claims that legal advice or services provided by your employed attorneys caused a financial loss.
The Organization and the Attorney — both the employing entity and the individual lawyers are typically insured.
Moonlighting & Outside Legal Work — legal services performed outside employment, where done with the employer's consent.
Pro Bono Services — volunteer legal work performed on the organization's behalf or with its approval.
Legal Defense Costs — attorney fees, expert costs, and settlements tied to covered claims.
How It Differs from D&O, EPLI, and Law Firm Coverage
These coverages are frequently confused, and they protect against different things:
Employed Lawyers Liability — professional legal services rendered by your employed attorneys.
Directors & Officers — management, governance, and strategic decisions by leadership.
Employment Practices Liability — employment-related claims such as discrimination or wrongful termination.
Lawyers Professional Liability — coverage for law firms serving outside clients, which is a separate placement, not this policy.
Who Needs Employed Lawyers Liability
This coverage is important for:
Corporations with in-house legal departments
General counsel and corporate legal staff
Government agencies and municipalities that employ attorneys
Banks, insurers, and hospitals with in-house counsel
Any organization whose employees render legal services
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we place Employed Lawyers Liability to dovetail with your existing D&O and management liability program, so your in-house legal function is protected without overlapping or leaving gaps between policies. Licensed in all 50 states, we access specialty professional liability markets that understand employed-counsel risk, and explain the terms in plain English so your legal team is covered for the work it actually does.
Related coverage: Directors & Officers · Employment Practices Liability · Professional Liability.
All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get employed lawyers liability insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate employed lawyers liability insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
What drives the cost of employed lawyers liability insurance?
It depends on your exposure. Employed lawyers liability insurance is priced on factors like your industry, size, prior claims, and the limits and deductibles you select — so two businesses rarely pay the same. We shop your account across competing carriers and present the trade-offs in plain English.
Do I need employed lawyers liability insurance?
Whether employed lawyers liability insurance is strictly required depends on your state, your contracts, and your lenders or clients. Even where it is not mandatory, going without it can leave serious financial gaps. We assess your exposure and any contractual requirements, then structure coverage that meets both.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.