Howard Panensky

Partner | Litigation

About

Howard Panensky is a seasoned litigator and strategic advisor whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, insurance defense, and complex coverage matters. He has deep experience representing both insurers and policyholders, providing comprehensive legal and advisory support across a broad spectrum of insurance lines.

  • With a particular focus on cyber liability, Howard routinely advises clients on data breach response, coverage analysis, incident preparedness (including tabletop exercises), and the defense of cyber claims. His experience also spans financial lines, including Directors & Officers (D&O) liability, Employment Practices Liability (EPL), and Fiduciary Liability, where he counsels clients on high-stakes claims and policy interpretation.

    Howard’s background includes significant in-house and brokerage-side roles at Marsh, WTW, and Ironshore Insurance. This industry experience gives him an insider’s understanding of carrier operations, policy structures, and claims handling—allowing him to offer not only effective litigation strategies but also practical, business-oriented solutions.

    He represents clients in:

    • Cyber risk and privacy-related litigation

    • Insurance coverage disputes across various lines, including cyber, D&O, EPL, and fiduciary

    • Defense of policyholders in insured claims

    • Claims monitoring, coordination, and response strategy development

    • Commercial litigation and risk mitigation across diverse sectors

    Howard’s practice is defined by a proactive approach to risk, clarity in complex insurance matters, and a commitment to protecting clients’ business interests in both advisory and litigation contexts.


Practices

  • Commercial Litigation

  • Cyber, Privacy & Technology

  • Insurance

  • Litigation and Risk Management

  • Professional and Management Liability

  • Technology

  • Information Security

Admissions

  • New York

  • New Jersey

  • U.S. District Court of New Jersey

  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York


Education

  • Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 2006

  • University of Delaware, B.S., 2003

Law Firm Experience

  • Fox Rothschild, LLP

  • Winget, Spadafora & Schwartzberg, LLP

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable F. Patrick McManimon, J.S.C., Mercer County, New Jersey


Corporate Experience

  • Marsh

  • WTW

  • Ironshore Insurance