Partner Nick Spear has been named a 2026 Law360 Rising Star in Insurance, recognizing him among the nation’s leading lawyers under 40 for his work representing policyholders in high-stakes insurance disputes.
In its profile of Spear, Law360 highlights his track record of taking on some of the nation’s largest insurers and securing significant recoveries for policyholders. Spear has developed a significant practice challenging allegedly improper cost-of-insurance increases and other charges imposed on life insurance policyholders. In Helen Hanks v. Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Co., Spear helped secure a deal valued at more than $118 million, including a $92.5 million non-reversionary cash settlement fund, for thousands of policyholders who alleged that Voya improperly increased cost-of-insurance charges. In 37 Besen Parkway LLC v. John Hancock Life Insurance Co., he helped secure a $91.25 million all-cash, non-reversionary settlement for policyholders, and in PHT Holding II LLC v. North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, he secured a settlement valued at $59 million in a certified class action alleging improper insurance charges.
Beyond insurance, Spear handles complex, high-stakes litigation for plaintiffs and defendants across a broad range of areas, including intellectual property, securities, antitrust, entertainment, oil and gas, and commercial disputes. He has tried and argued cases in federal and state courts and arbitrations nationwide.
This is the latest recognition for Spear, who has also been named a National Law Journal Rising Star of the Plaintiffs Bar and Litigation Trailblazer, a Recorder Lawyer on the Fast Track, and a Daily Journal California Lawyer Attorney of the Year.
Read Law360’s full profile of Spear here.
