Ann C. Taylor

Ann’s defense of mass tort cases often involves complex jurisdictional and procedural issues, such as personal jurisdiction, personal representative, forum non conveniens, Foreign Sovereign Immunity, Death on the High Seas Act, and Act of State Doctrine. Her handling of insurance contract disputes includes numerous declaratory actions, and reformation and rescission actions.

Ann represents a diverse range of clients, including leading Lloyd’s syndicates, major U.S. air carriers, and insurers of airlines. She has defended clients in significant cases such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and AirAsia Flight 8501 and Flydubai Flight 981 accidents.

• Retained by leading Lloyd’s syndicates in the war market to defend their interests in 14 insurance coverage litigations arising out of aircraft leased by U.S. business entities to Russian airlines, which remain in Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the imposition of Western sanctions causing the lessors to cancel leases, and the reactions of Russian airlines and Russian Federation. These cases involve issues regarding the availability of insurance, if any, under all risks or war risk policies and seek in excess of $3 billion. Coordinating these litigations with similar litigations pending in the UK and Ireland for these Lloyd’s syndicates.
• Lead attorney for plaintiff insurers of American Airlines, United Airlines, and their preboard screeners who filed litigation against certain nation states that are alleged to have provided funds and otherwise aided and abetted the 9/11 terrorists. Plaintiffs seek to recoup amounts paid for losses arising out of the September 11 terrorist attacks. This lawsuit has been consolidated with other lawsuits pending in the S.D.N.Y. initiated on behalf of individuals lost and injured, and other businesses and insurers that suffered losses, and involves complex issues concerning the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, as well as service and discovery on foreign nation states.
• Lead trial attorney in the U.S. for product manufacturers and an aircraft owner in a dispute arising out of the AirAsia Flight 8501 and Flydubai Flight 981 accidents, which resulted in early dismissals for clients based on jurisdictional grounds. Lead counsel in litigation pending in Russia against the aircraft owner of the Flydubai Flight 981 accident aircraft, which involves working closely with Russian counsel.
• Lead trial attorney for insurers domiciled worldwide in a dispute over whether parties intended for insurance contracts to cover chemical-exposure claims caused by spraying activities to eradicate drug crops in South America by a U.S. Government contractor, which was sued by Ecuador and thousands of its citizens. Tried reformation and rescission actions, which resulted in a settlement after a preliminary post-trial opinion was issued for clients.
• Provided advice to primary and excess insurers concerning issues presented by the liability of their insured for a mass disaster that exceeded insurance limits. The issues included ability to settle cases; interpleader; duties of good faith; priority of coverage; and a scheme to resolve all claims through a nationally known mediator.
• Lead trial attorney for a target defendant in mass tort litigations seeking in excess of $20 billion arising out of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. The client operated the preboard screening services through which the terrorists passed before boarding American Flight 11, which was flown into World Trade Center 1. Representation included the resolution of all wrongful death and property damage claims except those of the net lessees of the World Trade Center. After several partial summary judgment motions, the firm and counsel for American Airlines tried the unresolved damages issues, which resulted in a defense verdict. On appeal, all key findings were upheld by the Second Circuit, and the representation required a U.S. security clearance.
• Lead trial attorney for insurers of a product manufacturer concerning the availability of coverage for a failed commercial satellite series. Representation involved resolving issues presented by litigating matters governed by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations.
• Defended insurers of four major U.S. air carriers in a series of coverage litigations arising out of pollution at airports and maintenance facilities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, where each air carrier sought in excess of $800 million. Secured settlements for clients.
• Trial counsel in a coverage dispute against a newspaper publisher seeking more than $70 million for pollution liabilities. Obtained a defense verdict at trial that was subsequently upheld on appeal.

• Best Lawyers in America®: Aviation Law (2025-2026), Insurance Law (2025-2026), Lawyer of the Year: Aviation Law (2026)