Sedgwick Elects New Managing Partners in New York, Los Angeles

SAN FRANCISCO, January 4, 2017 – Sedgwick LLP is pleased to announce that John W. Blancett and James J.S. Holmes have been elected Office Managing Partners (OMP) in New York and Los Angeles, respectively, effective January 1.

“John and Jim are outstanding attorneys and proven leaders at our firm,” said Sedgwick Chair Michael F. Healy. “They each bring a unique perspective to their new role and have become go-to resources for associates, staff and anyone needing guidance. We are pleased to have them lead two of our largest offices.”

Blancett represents leading U.S., London and European insurers in litigation, investigations and counseling with respect to significant claims involving financial institution bonds, commercial crime bonds, professional indemnity policies and D&O liability policies throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He has successfully defended insurers at trial and on appeal in state and federal courts throughout New York, and has extensive experience in bank regulation, commercial paper, funds transfers, payment systems, securities, letters of credit and bank fraud.

A frequent speaker in the U.S. and international markets on litigation and overages issues relevant to financial institutions, Blancett is a member of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section. He earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A.,cum laude, from Wake Forest University.

Holmes is an experienced trial attorney and litigator, representing major media and entertainment entities, as well as major insurance carriers insuring those companies. He defends clients in a variety of intellectual property matters, including: trademark, trade dress, trade secrets and copyright infringement; misrepresentation of likeness; unfair competition; and breach of contract actions. Holmes regularly works with clients on the defense of claims brought against their marketing practices, including advertising (broadcast and print media) and internet marketing (websites and social media). He also advises clients on cyber liability issues, including the implications and coverage for data and privacy breaches.

As the firm’s first self-identified member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community to serve as OMP, Holmes has provided pro bono work for the HIV and AIDS Legal Services Alliance for which he recently received the honorable Benjamin Aranda III Outstanding Public Service Award. He is a member of the ABA’s Diversity 360 Commission and immediate past chair of the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. In addition, Holmes is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and is a member of the State Bar of California, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Board of Governors for the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles.

Holmes earned his J.D. from Arizona State University College of Law and his B.A., with honors, from Arizona State University.

About Sedgwick LLP

Sedgwick LLP provides trial, appellate, litigation management, counseling, risk management and transactional legal services to the world’s leading companies. With offices in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Orange County (Calif.), San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., and an affiliated office in Bermuda, Sedgwick’s collective experience spans the globe and virtually every industry. For more information about Sedgwick, its lawyers and the services it provides, visit www.sedgwicklaw.com