Joe Franceski is a nationally-recognized expert on complex insurance coverage and litigation. Joe effectively utilizes his experience to represent parties dealing with challenging Aviation, Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) and “All Risk” commercial policy controversies.
Prior to coming to FitzHunt, in 2018, he was a Managing Director and Head of Aviation and Space Claims (US) at Marsh. In that capacity, Joe was a “go-to” trusted client advisor and advocate for manufacturers and airlines on high-value claims and litigation, as well as coverage matters dealing with US and London policies.
This experience and Joe’s senior position at Marsh were the reasons why he was a senior company emergency response team leader on-site in New York City after the events of 9/11/01, and was called upon to serve as a Marsh commentator on the drafting of The Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, and the insurance implications of the implementing Regulations of The Department of Homeland Security.
Before Marsh, Joe Franceski worked at US Aviation Underwriters, where he distinguished himself as a highly effective litigation manager and legal authority on products liability suits and claims from initial investigations, through trials, appeals, negotiations, settlements, and alternative dispute resolutions.
Earlier on, Joe was a civil trial lawyer in Hartford, Connecticut. He was first an Associate at Howard, Kohn, Sprague & FitzGerald, and then at Gillette & Sullivan and its successor firms. His extensive civil trial experience included jury trials defending automobile, products liability, municipal liability (fire and police departments); and premises liability lawsuits.
Known for his exceptional and energetic public speaking style, he has been a frequent speaker/presenter and panelist at CLE and client-specific seminars and workshops, both nationally and in Europe. Joe has received a number of client and insurance industry service awards for outstanding advocacy.
Joe Franceski earned his A.B. degree with honors at Fordham University (1973); and his law degree at The University of Connecticut (1976), where he was on the Law Review.
He is admitted to practice in New York (1985) and Connecticut (1976).
