
Practice Areas
Jurisdictions
Biography
Kate Margolis combines her deep knowledge of insurance and claims handling to advise risk managers and principals on all things insurance across a wide variety of industries – from negotiating the best policy terms to resolving complex claims disputes. Kate has a strong record of success convincing insurers to reverse coverage denials, expedite payments, and settle third parties’ liability claims to avoid placing clients at risk of an excess judgment.
An experienced litigator, Kate remains by the client’s side when further action is required, whether through appraisal, litigation, alternative dispute resolution, or appeal.
She frequently speaks on key insurance topics such as coverage for cybersecurity breaches, insurers’ duties to defend and indemnify, and insurer bad faith.
Kate Margolis handles petitions for certificates of public convenience and necessity before the Mississippi Public Service Commission for renewable energy companies from start to finish. Kate works with the company’s development team to learn project details, assemble the necessary information to file the petition, respond to the public utility staff’s data requests, prepare company representatives to testify before the commission, and respond to inquiries from the commissioners and their staff.
Kate regularly serves as pro bono counsel, including representation of Mississippi’s only female death row inmate in federal habeas proceedings.
Education
- University of Mississippi School of Law
- J.D.
- 1999
- summa cum laude (Executive Articles Editor
- Mississippi Law Journal; ABA Appellate Advocacy Team; Awards for Excellence in federal jurisdiction
- criminal procedure
- torts
- contracts
- and property) Mississippi College
- B.A.
- Communication
- 1990
- summa cum laude (Mortar Board; Omicron Delta Kappa; Sigma Tau Delta; Ralph McGill Fellowship)
Achievements & Awards
American Bar Foundation (ABF), Fellow
Capital Area Bar Association, Outstanding Service Award, 2014 & 2023
Member of trial team in bad faith case resulting in jury verdict that insurer unreasonably delayed payment of business interruption loss after fire at oil refinery, entitling policyholder to attorneys’ fees.
Negotiated with insurer’s counsel to expedite settlement of employment liability claim that exposed company to potential excess judgment.
Assisted corporate executive obtain coverage from former company’s management liability carrier for defense against government criminal and civil actions.
Assisted Fortune 100 company obtain favorable amendments to product recall policy and intellectual property contractual indemnity policy.
Assisted Fortune 500 company revise internal procedures for reporting product liability claims to excess insurers.
Briefed and argued appeal resulting in ruling affirming appraisal award and award of prejudgment interest for policyholder.
Secured multimillion-dollar settlement from insurer who denied coverage for hail damage to owner of large commercial building leased by high-end furniture business.
Secured multimillion-dollar settlement for school district from multiple insurers in complex progressive property damage case.
Recovered insurance payments for business interruption at dentists’ offices after widespread ransomware attack under commercial property policy.
Representative Experience
Clerkship: United States Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, Honorable Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association, Mississippi Chapter, President, 2014
Mississippi Bar Association, Technology Committee, 2019-2021; Ethics Committee, 2007-2010
Capital Area Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2012-2014; Newsletter Editor, 2010-Present
Mississippi Women Lawyers Association
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Parent Association