Ilya combines his sophisticated understanding of the life insurance industry with his experience as a complex commercial litigator to handle all manner of life insurance litigation. He focuses his practice in the areas of stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI) policies, consumer practices, policy operation, and policy interpretation. He has particular proficiency with life insurance class actions and keeps abreast of relevant, complex issues surrounding Rule 23, Article III standing, and STOLI. Ilya brings to every case a keen insight into its wider implications from both a business and legal perspective. His experience extends to state and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide, including briefing before the U.S. Supreme Court. While Ilya’s focus is life insurance, he has varied skills and interests, including litigating software licensing disputes and more general commercial litigation. His pro bono and volunteer interests encompass election law and housing policy.
Prior to joining the firm, Ilya was a managing commercial litigation associate at an international law firm, where he developed extensive experience with insurance and securities class actions, arbitration rights, and contract disputes, as well as experience with employment disputes, regulatory affairs, lobbying and adjudication, land use disputes, and federal civil rights litigation. He was also a clinical intern for the Prosecution Clinic, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York and a legal intern at Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Public Assistance Crimes Unit.
Ilya earned his bachelor’s degree, with general honors, from the University of Chicago and his law degree from New York University School of Law. He is proficient in French and Hebrew, conversant in Russian, and has a working knowledge of German.