Laurence H. Leavitt

Laurence H. Leavitt

Principal Martindale-Hubbell Rating

202 US Route 1
Suite 200
Falmouth, ME 04105

With over three decades of trial experience, and more than 1000 fire and explosion cases from around the United States under his belt, Larry has developed a reputation as one of the country's foremost fire litigators. With an extensive background in fire forensics, first party insurance coverage and adjustment, appraisal, subrogation and fire liability defense, he possesses a truly unique and expansive foundation in every aspect of fire loss investigation, analysis, and litigation. As a result, Larry is frequently called upon to serve as defense counsel or monitoring counsel on the nation’s most catastrophic, most complex “bet the company” cases.

Larry's broad fire litigation background includes the following:

  • A federal trial court clerkship for the Honorable D. Brock Hornby in the District of Maine
  • 100's of depositions of fire experts and engineers
  • A four-year reign as co-chair of the DRI's Fire Science and Litigation Committee
  • A member of the Board of Directors for the Forensic Fire Analysis Institute

In his active fire litigation practice, Larry serves as national fire litigation counsel for multiple insurers, as monitoring fire litigation counsel for multiple excess insurers, and as defense counsel for numerous manufacturers and energy companies. Larry has achieved the highest Martindale Hubbell rating (AV) and is listed in Best Lawyers of America for his expertise in Products Liability Litigation.

Larry, a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Maine School of Law, presently resides in Seacoast New Hampshire.

Representative Cases

Alabama Double Fatality Residential Fire
Arizona Double Catastrophic Burn Injury Fire
California $30M Industrial Fire
Connecticut Double Fatality Gas Explosion
Florida $26M Multiple Luxury Yacht Fire
Florida Quadruple Fatality Residential Fire
Georgia $8M Commercial Fire
Hawaii Quadruple Fatality, $80M High Rise Fire
Illinois Single Fatality Gas Explosion
Louisiana $2M Industrial Fire
Maine $17M Boat Storage Facility Fire
Maryland $800K Residential Fire
Massachusetts $700K Residential Fire
Michigan Single Fatality Residential Fire
Minnesota Double Fatality Agribusiness Fire
Mississippi Quadruple Fatality Residential Fire
Montana $1.5M Commercial Fire
Nevada $300K Commercial Fire
New Hampshire $20M Hotel Explosion With Personal Injuries
New Hampshire $5M Commercial Fire
New York Double Fatality Residential Fire
North Carolina Single Fatality Gas Explosion
North Dakota $1.5M Industrial Fire
Ohio $5M Industrial Fire
Ohio Propane Explosion Catastrophic Burn Injury
Rhode Island 100 Fatality Commercial Fire
South Carolina $12M Marina Fire
Tennessee $30M Chemical Explosion
Texas Quadruple Fatality Residential Fire
Texas 15 Fatality Chemical Explosion
Utah $6M Industrial Fire
Vermont $3M Commercial Fire
Virginia $3M Residential Fire
Washington $500K Commercial Fire

Presentations

  • Protecting the Interests of Your Client at the Fire Scene, MLL Fire Science and Litigation Seminar, October 2019
  • The Future Onslaught of Fire Claims: Batteries and the Defense of Lithium-Ion Energized Products, MLL Fire Science and Litigation Seminar, July 2018
  • Management of the Complex Fire Scene: Lessons Learned from the West Texas Explosion, 2014 NFPA Conference & Expo
  • Nuances in the Selection and Preparation of Fire Experts, 2012 ACI Fire and Casualty Conference
  • Winning The Battle Of The Fire Experts, 2005 DRI Fire Conference
  • Managing the Complex Fire Scene, 2003 DRI Product Liability Conference
  • Humanizing The Corporation In Catastrophic Fire and Burn Injury Cases, 2003 DRI Fire Conference
  • Winning Techniques In Fire Claim Investigation: The "Do's" and "Don'ts" for Effective Handling of the Pre-suit Claim, 2002 DRI Fire Conference
  • THE SPOLIATION TRAP: The Rising Stakes Associated with the Failure to Preserve Evidence after a Loss, 2002 Loss Executive Association

Professional Affiliations

  • Defense Research Institute
  • Propane Gas Defense Association
  • Loss Executive Association
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • Forensic Fire Analysis Institute

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Reviews

Martindale Hubble AV Rating

Overall Peer Rating

In Litigation,Insurance and Products Liability

5.0 out of 5.0

Legal Knowledge

5.0

Analytical Capabilities

5.0

Judgment

5.0

Communication Ability

4.9

Legal Experience

5.0

  • Meets very high criteria of general ethical standards

5.0 out of 5.0

Larry is an excellent attorney with a nationwide practice. He definitely has earned the highest Martindale-Hubbell rating.

5.0 out of 5.0

I have known Mr. Leavitt for many years and have worked with and against him in state and federal court in Maine. He is a top notch lawyer, highly ethical, well-respected in the legal community, and great with clients.

4.8 out of 5.0

Larry is a well-respected products liability defense attorney who I am happy to work with.

5.0 out of 5.0

I have known Lawrence Leavitt for more than a decade. I have experience in cases in which we were co-counsel, and experience with him as adverse counsel. I have the highest respect for his ethical standards and his legal ability.

5.0 out of 5.0

Laurence is well recognized as one of the leaders in his practice area, and clients across the country hire Laurence for his expertise and experience.

5.0 out of 5.0

Larry is an excellent and ethical attorney. He has litigated cases all over the country with great success. He is one of the smartest and most talented people I know.

5.0 out of 5.0

Larry is incredibly knowledgeable. He handles major product liability litigation all over the country. I have also heard him conduct CLE presentations on related topics. He is able to see the big picture as well as the small details in his analysis. He is one of the top attorneys in the country for Product Liability Defense.

5.0 out of 5.0

One of the best fire litigation attorneys in the country.

5.0 out of 5.0

Mr. Leavitt is top notch in every respect.

5.0 out of 5.0

A truly exceptional lawyer. A very strategic approach to defending his clients.

Attorney Leavitt is not licensed to practice law in New Hampshire.