NU Online News Service, Aug. 2, 1:07 p.m. EDT

Eugene R. Anderson, the founding member of the law firm AndersonKill & Olick, P.C., died Friday from complications frompneumonia. He was 82.

A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles,Harvard Law School and New York University, he was a U.S.prosecutor in the office of then-U.S. Attorney for the SouthernDistrict of New York Robert M. Morgenthau in the 1960s.

Mr. Anderson later founded Anderson Kill in 1969 and wasintegral to the firm's success over four decades.

Mr. Anderson was a member of the New York City Mayor's TaskForce on Automobile Insurance, chairman of the Amicus Committee ofUnited Policyholders, director of Citizens Against Unfair InsurancePractices and a director of the Police Athletic League.

He was dubbed "the dean of policyholder's attorneys," accordingto the law firm's website, and he pioneered widely influentialapproaches to insurance coverage litigation on behalf ofpolicyholders, the law firm said.

According to Anderson Kill, his impact began with his 1981victory on behalf of Keene Corp., which sought insurance coveragefor millions of dollars in asbestos liabilities.

A tireless advocate on behalf of all policyholders, individualas well as corporate, Mr. Anderson took on a long succession of probono clients in insurance matters. Working in partnership with thenonprofit advocacy group United Policyholders, he led Anderson Killto file over 250 amicus briefs on behalf of policyholders in keyinsurance coverage cases.

Many of these had a major impact on insurance law, including abrief cited in the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Humana v.Forsyth (1999), which subjected the insurance industry toliability under the federal Racketeer Influenced and CorruptOrganizations Act (RICO).

Mr. Anderson authored hundreds of articles on insurance coveragematters, as well as a two-volume reference for insurance recoveryattorneys, Insurance Coverage Litigation.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a mentor whose boundlessenergy, creativity, tenacity and zeal on behalf of policyholdershas inspired those of us now working at Anderson Kill, as well ashundreds of attorneys in practice throughout the nation," saidRobert M. Horkovich, Anderson Kill's managing partner, in astatement.

"While Gene is truly irreplaceable, few attorneys have impartedwhat they know with as much passion and impact as Gene did," saidWilliam G. Passannante, co-chair of Anderson Kill's insurancerecovery group. "He has left behind a firm strongly committed tohis ideals and infused with his work ethic and methods."

Mr. Anderson is survived by his wife, Jenny Morgenthau,executive director of the Fresh Air Fund; his son, Matthew R.; andthree grandsons.

Funeral services will be held on Monday at the Frank E. CampbellFuneral Chapel, New York, N.Y.

Donations in lieu of flowers are requested to be made to thePolice Athletic League or the Fresh Air Fund.