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Investigation, Mitigation, Spoliation, Litigation and Compliance with NFPA 921: The Forensic and Legal Response to a Large-Loss Fire
Track(s): Loss Control/Prevention

Larry Varn and Jeffrey Francis, Pierce Atwood LLP

Audio Sample:




You will hear a discussion of the forensic and legal concerns in conducting the initial response to, and investigation of a largeloss fire. The session will address compliance with NFPA 921 and compliance with the state and federal rules of evidence to avoid spoliation; managing relationships with the fire service, customers, and/or clients to mitigate losses; insurance policy compliance to preserve coverage; and preserving the attorney–client privilege of pre-suit investigation in anticipation of litigation.

Larry L. Varn is a partner in the firm's Litigation Group. He has more than 25 years of experience representing business and individual clients in a broad range of commercial and financial litigation, corporate investigations, crisis management and litigation advisory matters. His work includes matters dealing with securities laws, cases arising out of complex corporate and financial transactions, matters involving corporate governance and ethics, domestic and international litigation and arbitrations, insurance cases, antitrust matters, claims for unfair competition and misuse of trade secrets, claims and defenses arising out of large loss fires and other catastrophes and matters involving fire and life safety codes and standards. Larry has tried and argued cases in courts and before arbitral tribunals across the United States. In addition, he represents corporate executives and high net worth individuals in matrimonial and family law matters in Massachusetts.

Jeff Francis is a partner in the Litigation Group. He represents clients in complex commercial and financial litigation, including matters involving technology development and/or licensing, intellectual property (trademark, copyright, trade secret and patent), catastrophic fire losses and bankruptcy. Jeff has significant trial experience having tried numerous matters in both Massachusetts and New York, as well as before the American Arbitration Association.