Troutman Pepper Adds Three Insurance Litigation Partners
The law firm expands its Philadelphia practice with three new partners from Faegre Drinker.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in People
Troutman Pepper Locke has hired attorneys Jason Gosselin, Kate Villanueva, and Christopher Petillo to join its Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation Practice Group in Philadelphia. The trio joins the firm from Faegre Drinker to bolster the firm's life, disability, and long-term care insurance litigation services.
Why it matters
The additions aim to provide greater depth and scale to the firm's existing litigation platform for insurers. These lawyers sought a firm with the resources necessary to navigate the increasingly complex legal landscape for life and disability insurance providers.
The firm added 3 new partners to its Philadelphia-based Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation Practice Group. These attorneys specialize in representing clients across life, disability, AD&D, and long-term care insurance sectors.
The players
Jason Gosselin
He is a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke who serves as lead counsel in bench trials, jury trials, and arbitrations on a nationwide basis.
Kate Villanueva
She is a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke who previously led the life and disability insurance team at her former firm, Faegre Drinker.
Christopher Petillo
He is a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke who counsels clients on insurance litigation and regulatory matters in both state and federal courts.
Troutman Pepper Locke
It is a national law firm with offices in Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, and across the West Coast.
Faegre Drinker
It is an international law firm where the three new partners practiced prior to joining Troutman Pepper Locke.
The details
Jason Gosselin, who handles lead counsel duties for nationwide jury trials, joins alongside former life and disability team leader Kate Villanueva and insurance litigation specialist Christopher Petillo. The group is tasked with integrating into the existing practice to strengthen legal support for state and federal court matters.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: The hiring of the three partners is officially announced.
Market Landscape
This move mirrors the ongoing trend of lateral partner hiring and firm consolidation seen across the Am Law 100. By integrating specialized teams, the firm strengthens its competitive position against rivals vying for the same insurance sector market share.
For insurers and corporate clients, this expansion signifies increased availability of legal counsel for navigating disability and life litigation claims. Clients can expect the firm to leverage these new hires to provide more comprehensive service in state and federal court disputes.
The takeaway
Attracting veteran partners remains a primary strategy for law firms looking to scale niche litigation practices in a complex regulatory environment. Firms often secure competitive advantages by bringing in attorneys with established track records in specific insurance sectors.
Further reading
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