---
title: "Conflict of Interest: When the Insured Has the Right to Select Independent Counsel"
date: 2012-08-08T00:00:00-04:00
author: Import Bot
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/articles/conflict-of-interest-when-the-insured-has-the-right-to-select-independent-counsel"
section: Articles
---
# Conflict of Interest: When the Insured Has the Right to Select Independent Counsel

 August 8, 2012

InsideCounsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

The article explains when an insurance carrier is defending its policy in a lawsuit, when the carrier has the right to pick independent counsel and when the policyholder has this right. When the insurer agrees to defend under a reservation of rights, a potential conflict of interest arises. The article reviews case law that also accounts for local standards in deciding the insurance carriers’ or policyholders’ right in choosing defense counsel.

 

 

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