cumis counsel
cumis counsel
n. an attorney employed by a defendant in a lawsuit when there is an insurance policy supposedly covering the claim, but there is a conflict of interest between the insurance company and the insured defendant. Such a conflict might arise if the insurance company is denying full coverage. In some states (notably California) the defendant can demand that the insurance company pay the fees of his own attorney rather than use an insurance company lawyer. Often the insurance company will require that the attorney for the defendant be approved by the company.