Thomas O. Farrish
Thomas "Tom" Farrish litigates complex insurance and reinsurance disputes in state and federal courts. He handles matters involving claims under general liability, property, automobile, life, health and marine insurance policies. Tom has also represented ceding companies and reinsurers in more than thirty domestic and international reinsurance arbitrations in fields as diverse as property/casualty, life, long term care, ocean marine and mortgage guaranty.
Tom has an active pro bono practice, representing indigent plaintiffs in federal civil rights litigation. In 2014, he received the Pro Bono Award from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in recognition of his contributions in providing legal services to indigent persons. He has also served as a volunteer parajudicial officer and settlement master in federal civil rights cases.
Tom served in the United States Marine Corps and worked in the insurance industry before receiving his J.D. with highest honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2005. In law school, he received the William F. Starr Fellowship Award for finishing first in his class, and was elected editor-in-chief of the Connecticut Law Review. Tom has taught reinsurance law at UConn Law since 2007, and regularly guest lectures in the school's Insurance Litigation course.
Tom chaired the board of trustees of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and served on the board of the University of Connecticut Law School Foundation. He and his wife Kate live in Tolland.
Represented a ceding insurer in recovering over $8 million from reinsurers with respect to asbestos and pollution claims.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a trucking insurer in a $4 million dispute involving claims of first impression under an MCS-90 endorsement.
Won an award of over $3.5 million on behalf of a ceding company in an arbitration involving complex asbestos aggregation issues.
Won a judgment in excess of $1.7 million on behalf of a workers' compensation insurer in a dispute arising out of a retrospective premium program.
Obtained dismissal of statutory unfair trade practice claims on behalf of a health insurer.
Obtained summary judgment for a manufacturing company on claims of negligent manufacturing and delivery of goods.
Obtained dismissal of a multi-million dollar international contract dispute in federal court on account of discovery abuse by the opposing party.
Represented a personal lines auto insurer in a case of first impression under uninsured motorists coverage.
Recognized in law school with the William F. Starr Fellowship Award for obtaining the highest grade point average in his graduating class
Recognized for academic achievement in the Insurance Institute of America's Associate in Marine Insurance Management program
United States Marine Corps veteran
Recipient of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut's Pro Bono Award for 2014
Board of Trustees, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
Board of Trustees, University of Connecticut Law School Foundation