Bernadette Dono

123 Willow Avenue

Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone 201-222-9311
Mobile: 646-320-8980
Fax: 201-301-7323
Email: bd5c3b92@westpost.net
Experience
Swiss Reinsurance Company, Zurich, Switzerland August 2004-September 2009
Vice President, Senior Underwriter/Legal Counsel
Large Corporate Risks Insurance and Reinsurance): D&O and Professional Indemnity

* Defined industry specific Underwriting Guidelines, business filters and portfo

lio steering strategies for D&O and Professional Indemnity for Lawyers, Accounta
nts, Consultants and Financial Institutions, in order to ensure highest underwri
ting quality and standards.
* Performed in depth cross check of each Large Corporate Risk deal, validating
and approving terms and conditions, expected loss and premium before the deal wa
s offered to the client.
* Educated Underwriters and Claims Managers on legal and claims developments rel
ative to their lines of business.
* Analyzed composition of and changes in D&O and PI portfolios.
* Studied and reported on global profitability of direct, facultative and treaty
lines.
* Specialized in analysis and drafting of policy wordings and Coverage Position
Papers issued internally and to brokers.
* Interfaced consistently with Client Markets Underwriters, Brokers, Risk Manag
ers and Claims Managers to negotiate and provide advice on coverage terms and in
tent, underwriting standards and large claims.
* Conducted Claims and Underwriting Audits, internally and of cedents and captiv
es.
* Analyzed risk landscape, claim trends and impact on portfolio and reported to
Senior Management.
* Provided support and guidance to actuaries in their streamlining and revampi
ng of underwriting tools and pricing models.
Vice President, Claims Manager/Legal Counsel
Large Corporate Risks: D&O and Professional Indemnity
* Directed and managed the defense of Directors & Officers and Professional Inde
mnity claims involving Financial Institutions and Fortune 500 Company Insureds.
* Advised Underwriters on Policy Wording. Drafted Policy Endorsements and manusc
ripted Excess Policies.
* Interfaced with Underwriters, Brokers Insured Principals, Risk Managers and Ge
neral Counsel regarding coverage intent, contract interpretation and claims nego
tiations.
* Interfaced with Defense Counsel and Coverage Counsel regarding coverage, liabi
lity, damages and resolution strategies. Where required instructed external cou
nsel, established budgets and managed coverage litigation
* Established Case Reserves.
* Negotiated Settlements.
* Presented large claims to Senior Management.
* Gave frequent presentations to Underwriters and Claims staff regarding topical
coverage and liability issues affecting Management Liability and Professional I
ndemnity Policies and Claims.
AIG, New York, NY
Director of Complex Claims: Financial Institutions January 2003-August 2004
* Directed and managed the defense of Directors & Officers and Professional Inde
mnity claims involving Financial Institutions Insureds. Interfaced with Underwr
iters, Insured Principals, Risk Managers, General Counsel, Brokers, Defense Coun
sel and Coverage Counsel.
* Evaluated coverage and liability.
* Planned Resolution strategy.
* Established Case Reserves.
* Negotiated Settlements.
* Attended mediations, mock trials, arbitrations and trials.
* Presented large claims to Senior Management.
Cartafalsa, Slattery & Kelly, New York, NY
Trial Attorney May 2000-December 2002
* Represented Zurich NA Insurance Company, its affiliates and Insureds in all st
ages of first party coverage litigation and the defense of third-party negligenc
e, products liability, labor law and contract claims in the Federal, State and A
ppellate courts of New York.
* Managed caseload of 60-65 cases from inception to verdict.
* Conducted jury trials, mediations and arbitrations.
Cullen & Dykman, Brooklyn, NY
Litigation Associate December 1995-May 2000
* Specialized in the area of first and third party coverage litigation, includin
g appellate practice.
* Represented a variety of municipal and private companies, private individuals
and Insurance companies in the areas of medical malpractice, products liability
and labor law litigation.
* Conducted jury trials, declaratory judgment actions, arbitrations, deposition
s, framed issue hearings on insurance coverage issues, successfully wrote and ar
gued over 40 summary judgment and dismissal motions.
* Trained in Trial Practice at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).

Bisceglia & Oppenheim, New York, NY

Litigation Associate May 1994-December 1995
* Represented American Transit Insurance Company and its Insureds in all stages
of first party coverage litigation and third party negligence litigation.
* Wrote and argued motions and petitions.
* Selected juries, conducted depositions, coverage arbitrations, framed issue he
arings, mediations and settlement conferences.
NYC Law Department, Corporation Counsel's Office, New York, NY
Sr. Student Legal Specialist January 1992-February 1994
* Authorized by Student Practice Orders of the NY State Appellate Division to ap
pear in the NY State and City Courts on behalf of the agencies, departments and
employees of the City of NY.
* Wrote and argued motions regarding the issues of police misconduct, medical m
alpractice, products liability and municipal negligence.
* Conducted more than 200 depositions and municipal hearings.
Education
* The New York Law School, New York, NY,Juris Doctor, February 1994
* Queens College, New York, NY, Bachelor of Arts in English, August 1990
Bar Admissions
* State of New York, 1994
* United States District Court, Southern District, 1996
* United States District Court, Eastern District, 1996