Employed Lawyers Liability Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a employed lawyers liability policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current employed lawyers or D&O policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Work for the Employer | Covers claims over legal services your lawyers provide to the organization — the core of the policy. | Standard | |
| Separate Limits from D&O | Confirm lawyers do not share a limit with executives and the company. | Standard | |
| Claims Brought by the Employer | Confirms the insured-vs-insured exclusion does not bar the company suing its own lawyer. | Standard | |
| Disciplinary & Bar Proceedings | Covers defense of bar complaints and licensing proceedings. | Standard | |
| Regulatory & Government Investigations | Covers SEC and agency proceedings against a lawyer — confirm investigations are included. | Often limited | |
| Subpoena Response Costs | Covers the cost of a lawyer responding to a subpoena as a witness. | Often limited | |
| Pro Bono Work | Covers volunteer legal work — some policies require employer approval. | Often limited | |
| Moonlighting / Outside Practice | Covers legal work outside the job — often excluded or limited. | Often limited | |
| Paralegals, Notaries & Contract Lawyers | Confirms non-lawyer staff and temporary attorneys are covered. | If needed | |
| Affiliates, Foundations & PACs | Covers legal work for related entities the organization controls. | If needed | |
| Coverage When Indemnity Fails | Pays when the employer cannot or will not indemnify — insolvency or alleged misconduct. | If needed |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The gap most often missed for in-house lawyers is relying on D&O coverage. D&O policies usually cover the general counsel only as an executive, share one limit with every officer, and can exclude professional services or claims brought by the company itself. In-house lawyers have been charged by the SEC over filings and sued for millions over pro bono work. Confirm a separate employed lawyers policy covers regulatory proceedings and claims by the employer, and that it pays when indemnity is refused.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your employed lawyers liability coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Employed Lawyers Liability Insurance · Employed Lawyers Liability Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a employed lawyers liability policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a employed lawyers liability policy include Legal Work for the Employer, Separate Limits from D&O, Claims Brought by the Employer, Disciplinary & Bar Proceedings. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my employed lawyers liability coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.