While at St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, New York, Raymond Mascia hadn’t considered being a policyholder insurance attorney, but a summer associate position at Anderson Kill in 2008 changed that. Inspired by how the attorneys came up with creative insurance coverage arguments for clients, he joined the firm in 2009. He left in 2013 to clerk for a district judge in New York but returned two years later to build his insurance practice.
What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?
Policyholders and their attorneys need to stay ahead of the game. Take for example the COVID-19 pandemic. A ton of business interruption coverage claims have been filed in the last year, and while those lawsuits are similar to prior business interruption claims they are also different, and they present new wrinkles that attorneys and policyholders need to adapt to. As a policyholder attorney, you need to be able to roll with the punches.
How will your work change going forward?
In terms of the practice of law, in the near future more things are going to be done virtually, like court appearances and depositions. I don’t know if it’s going to last forever, but it’s going to be here to stay for a bit.
What is something about you that would surprise people?
I coach a youth hockey travel team, which is nice because it gives me some interactions outside of the business world where I get to mentor kids and meet some great parents.
What’s one habit or hobby you adopted during the pandemic?
Photography. I took a trip to Africa two years ago and I bought a camera and I started getting into it and then I stopped. When the pandemic hit, I had a lot of downtime and I went out and did a lot of street photography in New York City.
What is your favorite meal?
Pizza.