Shattuck “Tucker” Ely

Overview

Shattuck (“Tucker”) Ely is a trial lawyer focusing on the representation of policyholders in insurance coverage disputes.  He handles insurance coverage cases around the country and has successfully tried cases to judges, juries, and arbitration panels. Chambers USA has recognized Tucker as one of Georgia’s top insurance attorneys and he has been elected by his peers to the American College of Coverage Counsel. In addition to being named the Best Lawyers™ 2020 Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Atlanta, Tucker has been included in the Georgia SuperLawyers “Top 100” list eight times.

Insurance Coverage

Tucker focuses on the representation of policyholders in disputes with their insurance carriers. Tucker has recovered more than $750 million for his clients under a variety of insurance policies, including commercial general liability, professional liability, D&O, employment practices liability, commercial property, and builders risk policies.  Representing a wide range of clients, from governmental entities and international corporations to individuals, Tucker has obtained coverage for claims relating to construction defects, employment practices, intellectual property, environmental and toxic tort liability, business interruption, and first party property losses from flood, fire, and other causes.  Along with advising policyholder clients, Tucker has extensive experience in insurance coverage litigation and has successfully tried coverage cases to verdict.

Commercial Litigation

Together with his insurance recovery practice, Tucker represents corporate and individual clients in various business disputes.  Tucker has handled cases involving contractual disputes, business torts, breaches of fiduciary duties, misappropriation of trade secrets, and fraud.  He has also represented clients in shareholder disputes, RICO cases, and trademark and trade dress cases.  Tucker regularly speaks on insurance related topics and is involved in numerous professional and community organizations.

• Fellow, American College of Coverage Counsel
• American Bar Association, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
  • Professional Liability Subcommittee, Co-chair 2006-2008
• Atlanta Bar Association
  • Board of Directors 2006-2007
  • Executive Committee 2006-2007
• Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers, President 2006-2007, Board of Directors 2001-2007
• Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Board of Directors, 2006-2007
• Lawyers Club of Atlanta
• The Judge Clarence Cooper American Inn of Court, Barrister 2002-2005, Master 2008-2013
• Atlanta Associates’ Campaign for Legal Services, Co-chair 2005-2006

Tucker graduated with a B.A. in History from Emory University in 1994.  He received his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in 1997.

Representative Matters

• Obtained arbitration award in favor of policyholder under $25 million professional liability policy.
• Defense verdict for policyholders on an insurer’s suit to recoup a $10 million payment.
• Obtained summary judgment for the FDIC establishing coverage under a failed bank’s D&O policies.
• Jury verdict securing $6 million in insurance coverage for interstate petroleum pipeline company’s environmental liabilities after a three-week trial. Verdict upheld by the Supreme Court of Alabama.
• Recovered $1.875 million from excess insurer in a case involving allegations of the negligent failure to settle a wrongful death claim.
• Jury verdict finding coverage for fire loss based on oral binder of insurance.