Profile
Ashley represents insurers in connection with coverage issues and disputes arising under professional liability and general liability policies. She also serves as defense counsel for lawyers and other professionals in pending professional liability lawsuits, threatened claims, and in response to subpoenas.
Experience
Representative Matters
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Secured summary judgment for insurer in Tennessee federal court on the grounds that a specific entity exclusion applied to lawsuit against insured alleging a conflict of interest based on its affiliation with the excluded entity. Capwealth Advisors, LLC v. Twin City Fire Ins. Co., Case No. 21-cv-00036, 2023 WL 2700706 (M.D. Tenn. Mar. 29, 2023).
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Obtained ruling by California federal court granting management liability insurer’s motion to dismiss lawsuit seeking coverage for securities class action based on prior acts exclusion barring coverage for claims arising out of wrongful acts before policy inception. Jayhawk Private Equity Fund II LP v. Liberty Ins. Underwriters, Inc., No. 17-cv-5523 (C.D. Cal. June 7, 2018).
- Advises insurers on coverage issues, including applicability of various policy exclusions and conditions.
- Drafts pleadings addressing a wide variety of procedural and substantive issues for clients involved in complex insurance litigation.
Professional Experience
- Intern, Children’s Defense Fund, Juvenile Justice Policy Group (2015)
- Intern, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Program Legal Group (2014)
- Secondary Social Studies Teacher, Teach for America, Duval County Public Schools (2010-2012)
- Intern, Richard W. Riley Institute, Diversity Leaders Initiative (2009-2010)
- Intern, Law in Action, Office of Stephen J. Henry (2008)
Affiliations
- Pathfinder, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 2021
Recognitions
- Named one of DC's "Rising Stars" for Insurance Coverage by Super Lawyers magazine (2019-2020, 2022-2023)
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
J.D., with high honors, The George Washington University Law School; Order of the Coif
B.A., magna cum laude, Furman University
Law Journals
Member, Federal Circuit Bar Journal
Bar and Court Memberships
- District of Columbia Bar
- Maryland Bar
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Eleventh Circuits
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Related News & Insights
- Blog PostSeventh Circuit Holds Settlement Arising From Alleged False Claim Act Violations Does Not Necessarily Constitute Uninsurable “Restitution” under Illinois LawWiley Executive SummaryAshley L. CrissJune 7, 2023
- Blog PostWashington Appeals Court Upholds Reasonableness of Stipulated JudgmentWiley Executive SummaryAshley L. CrissMay 5, 2023
- Blog PostExclusion for Claims “In Any Way Related To” Specific Entity Broadly Bars CoverageWiley Executive SummaryAshley L. CrissMarch 30, 2023
- Blog PostCoverage for Claims Against Seed Grower Not Barred by Prior Knowledge or Retroactive Date ProvisionsWiley Executive SummaryAshley L. CrissJanuary 24, 2023