ALBANY, N.Y. - Applying Pennsylvania law, the New York Court of Appeals ruled Oct. 20 that prior knowledge exclusions bar any duty to indemnify on the part of excess insurers with regard to professional malpractice actions against a law firm and one of its attorneys (Executive Risk Indemnity Inc. v. Pepper Hamilton LLP, et al. and Pepper Hamilton LLP, et al. v. Continental Casualty Co., et al., No. 130, N.Y. App.; 2009 N.Y. LEXIS 3911). From Mealey's Emerging Insurance Disputes