Michael V. Pepe

Michael Pepe is a Partner in SDV Fenchurch’s Connecticut office, where he represents policyholders in complex insurance coverage matters, with a particular focus on the construction industry. His practice centers on helping owners, contractors, developers, and other commercial policyholders navigate high-stakes coverage disputes, risk transfer issues, and policy analysis involving commercial general liability, builder’s risk, subcontractor default insurance, additional insured coverage, contractual indemnity, and emerging risks facing the construction and energy sectors.

Michael is known for his ability to distill complicated insurance and legal issues into clear, practical guidance. Whether evaluating coverage for a major construction loss, analyzing competing policy provisions, or advocating in a disputed claim, Michael brings a careful, detail-oriented approach and strong strategic judgment.

In addition to his claims and coverage work, Michael regularly advises clients on front-end risk management, insurance program structure, contract review, and risk transfer strategies. He works closely with contractors, owners, brokers, and in-house legal teams to identify coverage gaps, strengthen insurance requirements, and develop practical solutions before disputes arise.

Michael is also active in industry education and thought leadership. He has presented at the IRMI Construction Risk Conference and Construction Super Conference and frequently develops presentations, client alerts, and educational materials addressing evolving coverage issues affecting the construction sector. He serves as liaison to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Documents Committee and previously served as Managing Partner of the firm’s Connecticut office and liaison to its Marketing and Business Development Department.

Michael has secured significant recoveries for policyholders in complex construction and commercial insurance disputes, including obtaining defense and indemnity for an EPC contractor facing more than $100 million in claims arising from the design and construction of an oil storage facility. He has recovered multiple multi-million-dollar settlements and awards involving builder’s risk, professional liability, pollution, and subcontractor default insurance policies, including claims arising from defective construction, construction defects, business interruption, loss of rental income, environmental contamination, and large-scale infrastructure projects.

His experience also includes securing a multi-million-dollar arbitration award on behalf of a national construction manager in a dispute against a subcontractor default insurance carrier and advising a multi-billion-dollar REIT on insurance due diligence, risk transfer, and contract language for development investments. In addition, Michael manages SDV Fenchurch’s Skyline Risk Protection Program, overseeing the review of more than 4,000 subcontractor insurance policies annually and helping clients strengthen risk management practices through sophisticated coverage analysis and practical business-focused guidance.