Associate

Katherine Villanueva is an associate in the firm's Life Insurance & Annuities Practice Group.

A significant portion of Kate's practice involves advising life insurers on issues relating to the secondary market for life insurance.  Kate represents several life carriers in declaratory judgment actions seeking to have alleged stranger-originated life insurance ("STOLI") policies declared void ab initio.  Kate also has experience in insurance coverage matters, including international transportation insurance coverage disputes, and the defense of bad faith claims for insurers and annuity issuers. 

In addition to insurance-related issues, Kate dedicates her practice to prosecuting and defending civil actions involving Free Speech, Free Exercise and Establishment Clause claims, including a nationally-recognized case regarding the right of free speech in a public school setting.  Kate has also assisted clients with numerous internal investigations relating to governmental inquiries as well as harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination issues.  Finally, Kate has extensive appellate experience, including participating in appellate arguments and drafting numerous petitions for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.

Prior to joining Drinker Biddle, Kate served as a law clerk to Judge Morton I. Greenberg of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2005-2006), and to Justice Roberto A. Rivera-Soto of the Supreme Court of New Jersey (2004-2005).