insurance coverage & bad faith · insurance coverage & bad faith practice vice-chairs...
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Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith
A T T O R N E Y S
LewisBrisbois.com
A T T O R N E Y S
INSURANCE LAW PRACTICEFor nearly 30 years, Lewis Brisbois has specialized in interpreting insurance contracts of all kinds and in representing insurers in complex coverage claims and extra-contractual litigation. Today, Lewis Brisbois has one of the largest insurance practices in the United States, with nearly 100 lawyers specializing in insurance law. As our clients will attest, there are reasons for this growth. First, we provide clear, objective advice when our clients’ rights and obligations under their policies are challenged. Second, if a coverage or claim handling dispute enters litigation, we defend our clients’ position vigorously, creatively and efficiently.
INSURANCE COVERAGE The coverage group specializes in interpreting contracts of all kinds and in representing insurers in complex coverage claims. Such representation includes monitoring, mediations, arbitrations and declaratory relief litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
The expertise of our insurance coverage attorneys encompasses a wide variety of insurance matters including:
• Insurance coverage related to general liability, professional liability, homeowners, title, disability, accident and health, life, jeweler’s block, inland marine, multi-peril business and customized (manuscript) policies;
• Insurance coverage for employment practices including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, federal Title VII and EEOC, State Fair Employment and Housing Act, employment contract claims and age discrimination claims;
• Insurance coverage related to construction defect litigation, including coverage issues arising out of land subsidence and related problems;
• Insurance coverage disputes arising out of national products liability litigation;• Insurance coverage related to pollution and toxic tort claims, such as CERCLA
claims by state and local environmental authorities, and claims by private parties against one another;
• Insurance coverage related to intellectual property litigation (including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses and trade secrets) and arising out of “advertising injury” or “personal injury” policy provisions (including defamation, disparagement and invasion of privacy);
• Insurance coverage with respect to rights and obligations of parties under directors and officers liability policies;Insurance coverage related to errors and omissions policies, including policies issued to lawyers, accountants, insurance agents and real estate agents;Claims involving interpretation of excess and umbrella policies, including “drop down” issues;
INSURANCE COVERAGE& BAD FAITH
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• Interpleader actions;• Reinsurance;• Monitoring of, and fee arbitrations against
“independent counsel” selected by insureds;• Policy drafting and insurance forms drafting.
Our expertise in insurance coverage essentially extends to all major types of insurance. Recently, Lewis Brisbois has been involved in a number of significant coverage matters involving such diverse issues as the Taco Bell Chihuahua ads, an MTV music video programming dispute, pet food poisoning cases, multiple mortgage scams and other business fraud claims, the “big rig pile-up” on Interstate 5 in Los Angeles and the liability of a “hostage rescue” firm for the disappearance of a corporate officer in Venezuela. We are confident that there is no law firm better able to provide quality coverage advice to the insurance industry than Lewis Brisbois.
EXTRA-CONTRACTUAL LITIGATIONLewis Brisbois lawyers across the country have extensive experience in defending suits involving alleged breaches of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and/or statutory breaches, so called “bad faith” litigation. These cases tend to be complicated, hard fought and high exposure. We have
defended against extra-contractual claims arising under commercial and personal lines, primary and excess policies, general liability, professional liability, homeowners, title, disability, accident and health, life, jeweler’s block, marine, multi-peril business, and customized (“manuscript”) policies.
Lewis Brisbois was lead counsel for a major insurer on the Northridge earthquake “bad faith” cases and represented another large insurer on the “Katrina” storm cases. We have defended “bad faith” claims arising from, among other events, a $200 million class action against Sony involving the Playstation consoles, the construction of the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas and numerous housing developments in California, human rights litigation against Unocal for its activities in Burma, and a $100 million inverse condemnation judgment against the City of San Diego.
We are proud of our reputation as dedicated advocates of the insurance industry. Since the firm’s founding in 1979, we have defended insurers against the highest profile, most complex extra-contractual claims, neither losing our focus nor subtly pricing ourselves out of the market. Rather, we have embraced the opportunity to further develop and deepen our contacts in the insurance arena.
Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Practice Chairs
LANE ASHLEYCHAIR
213.580.7974
Los Angeles
JANA I. LUBERTCHAIR - DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
213.680.5075
Los Angeles
MICHAEL VELLADAOCHAIR
213.580.7958
Los Angeles
ELISE D. KLEINCHAIR - LIFE, HEALTH, DISABILITY & ERISA
213.680.5153
Los Angeles
GORDON J. CALHOUNCHAIR - REGULATORY & REINSURANCE
213.680.5141
Los Angeles
RICHARD BARNETT WOLFVICE CHAIR213.680.5108 [email protected] Angeles
JULIAN J. PARDINIVICE CHAIR 415.262.8506 [email protected] Francisco
Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Practice Vice-Chairs
BRADLEY S. FISCHERVICE CHAIR [email protected] Lauderdale
JEFFREY R. GAYLORDVICE CHAIRDIRECTORS & [email protected] York
LINDA M. LASLEYVICE CHAIRREGULATORY & REINSURANCE [email protected] 213.680.5114 Los Angeles
JEFFREY A. GOLDWATERVICE CHAIR [email protected]
REBECCA R. WEINREICHVICE [email protected] Angeles
DANNY WORKERVICE CHAIR [email protected]
LewisBrisbois.com
ATLANTA
Hall, ChristinePartner, [email protected]
Masterson, R. ScottPartner, Atlanta, Charleston [email protected]
BEAUMONT
Adams, Kent M.Partner, [email protected]
Jacobellis, MichaelPartner, [email protected]
Jones, Ross H. Partner, Beaumont, [email protected]
CHICAGO
Bracke, Michelle M.Partner, Chicago [email protected]
Chacon, ZacariasPartner, Chicago [email protected]
Chaney, Robert A. Partner, [email protected] 312.345.1718
Goldwater, Jeffrey A. Partner, [email protected]
Ibach, Darcy L.Partner, Chicago [email protected]
Manos, George J. Partner, [email protected]
Murphy, Siobhán M.Partner, Chicago Siobhá[email protected]
Schumann, Bryan G.Partner, Chicago [email protected]
Shorris, Perry M. Partner, [email protected]
Sitko, Mary F.Partner, Chicago [email protected]
Soni, LeenaPartner, Chicago [email protected]
Sterling, HillardPartner, [email protected]
Worker, DannyPartner, Chicago [email protected]
Zerman, Beth Ann BergerPartner, [email protected]
DALLAS
Adams, Kent M.Partner, [email protected]
Anderson, Steven J.Partner, [email protected]
Jones, Addie L.Partner, Dallas [email protected]
Rosenberg, Alan J.Partner, [email protected]
White, ChrisPartner, [email protected]
FORT LAUDERDALE
Fischer, Bradley S.Partner, Fort Lauderdale [email protected]
Insurance Practice Partners
LewisBrisbois.com
HOUSTON
Adams, Kent M.Partner, [email protected]
Davis, Sarah M.Partner, [email protected]
Jacobellis, MichaelPartner, [email protected]
Johnson, KristiePartner, [email protected]
Jones, Ross H. Partner, Beaumont, [email protected]
Oubre, DavidPartner, [email protected]
LAFAYETTE & NEW ORLEANS
Bane, Richard W.Partner, Lafayette, New [email protected] 337.205.4526
Curtis, Tracy P.Partner, [email protected]
Dicke, Karen M.Partner, New [email protected]
Johnson, KristiePartner, Lafayette, New [email protected]
Sullivan, Maureen O’ConnorPartner, Lafayette, New Orleans [email protected]
LAS VEGAS
Brown, Janice J.Partner, Las Vegas [email protected]
Cass, V. AndrewPartner, Las [email protected]
Olster, Jeffrey D.Partner, Las Vegas [email protected]
Skalak, John P.Partner, Las Vegas [email protected]
Weaver, Keith A.Partner, Las Vegas [email protected]
LOS ANGELES
Ashley, Lane J.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Bolger, Bruce S.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Bringardner, John M.Partner, Los [email protected]
Calhoun, Gordon J.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Garcia, JerryPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Greenleaf, Christopher J.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Harriman, Jordon E.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Harvey, Ryan D.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Hegedus, Joseph K.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Irvine, Douglas R.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Klein, Elise D.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Insurance Practice Partners
LewisBrisbois.com
Kovarik, Stephen V.Partner, Los [email protected]
Lafond, Jr., Gerard A.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Lasley, Linda M.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Lewis, Robert F.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Lichtig, ScottPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Long, David E.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Lubert, Jana I.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Martinez, Raul L.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Moutes-Lee, CeliaPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Ozello, FrankPartner, Los [email protected]
Rea, Jr., William JohnPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Rittenburg, ThomasPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Selfridge, LancePartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Slaughter III, Robert L.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Velladao, Michael R.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Vels, Jamie L.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Vidal, RaquelPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Weinreich, Rebecca R.Partner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Witt, LoriPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
Wolf, Richard BarnettPartner, Los Angeles [email protected]
MADISON COUNTY, IL
Halbrook, KariPartner, Madison County, [email protected]
Morris, MatthewPartner, Madison County, [email protected]
NEW YORK
Gaylord, Jeffrey R.Partner, New York [email protected]
Katz, Gregory S.Partner, New York [email protected]
Nashban, Stephanie A.Partner, New York [email protected]
NEWARK
Hackett, Colin P.Partner, Newark [email protected]
Insurance Practice Partners
LewisBrisbois.com
Kovarik, Stephan V.Partner, Newark, Los [email protected]
ORANGE COUNTY
Connally, Michael W.Partner, Orange County [email protected]
Paisan, SeanPartner, Orange [email protected]
PHOENIX & TUSCON
Como, Greg S.Partner, Phoenix [email protected]
Glady Jr., Edward R.Partner, Phoenix [email protected]
Kloss, James K.Partner, [email protected]
Mariano, Carl F.Partner, Phoenix, Tucson [email protected]
SAN BERNARDINO
Bane, Richard W.Partner, San [email protected]
McVay, Dean H.Partner, San Bernardino [email protected]
SAN DIEGO
Smith, R. GaylordPartner, San Diego [email protected]
SAN FRANCISCO
Azevedo, Julie M.Partner, San [email protected]
Hegen, Kathleen E.Partner, San Francisco [email protected]
Kirk, Timothy S.Partner, San Francisco [email protected]
Liberatore, Stephen J.Partner, San [email protected]
Musfelt, Duane C.Partner, San [email protected]
Pardini, Julian J.Partner, San [email protected]
Raphael, RogerPartner, San [email protected]
Ziser, George J.Partner, San [email protected]
SEATTLE
Barrett, Colleen M. Partner, [email protected]
Cass, AndrewPartner, [email protected]
Jaeger, Michael A.Partner, [email protected]
Nelson, Kathleen A. Partner, Seattle [email protected] 206.876.2965
Worden, Gregory S.Partner, [email protected]
TAMPA
Bringardner, John M.Partner, [email protected]
Hanenian, KeithPartner, [email protected]
Peisner, Bruce D.Partner, [email protected]
Insurance Practice Partners
LewisBrisbois.com
LewisBrisbois.com
Established in 1979, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP is a national, full-service law firm with nearly 900 attorneys and 30 offices, in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Our national practice is sophisticated, multi-faceted and well-versed in current
legal trends, while our individual state practices provide vast resources and knowledge of procedural and legal nuances.
Lewis Brisbois offers legal practice in nearly 30 specialties, and a multitude of sub-specialties associated with each practice area. Our attorneys have broad knowledge, expertise, and sensitivity to their clients’ unique needs. Through interaction among its practice groups, Lewis Brisbois provides a wide range of legal services to each client with a continuity of representation over multiple disciplines. We have built longstanding relationships with corporate and institutional clients based on our ability to provide comprehensive service on a national scale.
At Lewis Brisbois, diversity is an integral part of our firm culture and our daily life. We accomplish diversity not by committee or initiative, but through the true and committed practice of hiring the best people for the job and consistently rewarding excellence. The success of these policies is reflected in the fact that Lewis Brisbois has repeatedly received national recognition for its commitment to embracing diversity. Lewis Brisbois is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse group of talented lawyers and staff, and demonstrates that commitment through non-discriminatory hiring, retention and promotion policies. The diversity of the firm’s client base is matched by the diversity of our attorneys. With offices from Los Angeles to New York, our attorneys reflect the communities in which they live. The firm’s culture has fostered a diverse group of professionals committed to promoting the best interests of our clients, our communities and the legal profession. We are committed to supporting diversity through new and ongoing relationships with minority and women-owned businesses.
Lewis Brisbois is known for its commitment to principled advocacy, an unflinching work ethic, and unyielding recognition of our duty to provide the highest level of service to our clients, who choose us because we take the time to understand their business interests and philosophies. We have developed sophisticated proprietary risk evaluation and litigation management processes that many of our clients have incorporated into their business practices, and we help them manage and defend claims and litigation. As a result, they are avoiding and reducing losses that impact their bottom line. Our practice includes pre-suit counseling and problem solving based on a structured and accurate analysis of likely outcome. We know our clients’ objectives are often best served by a pre-suit resolution, and we are often judged by the advice and counsel we provide toward that end. However, when trial is the answer and in the client’s best interest, no law firm in this country understands and better executes a trial strategy than Lewis Brisbois. We are truly client driven and result oriented.
For more about Lewis Brisbois, please visit us at LewisBrisbois.com.
Firm Overview
Nationwide Locations
ATLANTA1180 Peachtree Street NE Suite 2900Atlanta, Georgia 30309T: 404.348.8585 F: 404.467.8845
BEAUMONT550 Fannin Street Suite 800Beaumont, Texas 77701T: 409.838.6767F: 409.838.6950
BOSTON75 Arlington StreetSuite 500Boston, Massachusetts 02116T: 857.313.3950F: 857.313.3951
CHARLESTON209 Capital StreetThird FloorCharleston, West Virginia 25301T: 304.553.0166 F: 304.343.1805
CHICAGO550 West Adams Street Suite 300Chicago, Illinois 60661T: 312.345.1718F: 312.345.1778
DALLAS901 Main Street Suite 4100Dallas, Texas 75202T: 214.347.4508 F: 972.638.8664
DENVERThe Brind Mansion825 Logan StreetDenver, Colorado 80203T: 303.861.7760F: 303.861.7767
FORT LAUDERDALE200 Las Olas Circle200 S.W. First Avenue Suite 910Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301T: 954.728.1280F: 954.728.1282
HARTFORD100 Pearl StreetSuite 1438Hartford, Connecticut 06103 Tel: 860.748.4806Fax: 860.748.4857
HOUSTON3355 West Alabama Suite 400Houston, Texas 77098T: 713.659.6767F: 713.759.6830
LA QUINTA, CA78075 Main Street Suite 203La Quinta, California 92253T: 760.771.6363F: 760.771.6373
LAFAYETTE100 E. Vermilion Street Suite 300Lafayette, Louisiana 70501T: 337.326.5777F: 337.504.3341
LAS VEGAS6385 South Rainbow Blvd. Suite 600Las Vegas, Nevada 89118T: 702.893.3383F: 702.893.3789
LOS ANGELES221 North Figueroa StreetSuite 1200Los Angeles, California 90012T: 213.250.1800F: 213.250.7900
MADISON COUNTY, ILMark Twain Plaza II103 W. Vandalia StreetSuite 300Edwardsville, Illinois 62025T: 618.307.7290F: 618.692.6099
NEWARKOne Riverfront PlazaSuite 350Newark, New Jersey 07102T: 973.577.6260F: 973.577.6261
NEW ORLEANS400 Poydras Street Suite 1320New Orleans, Louisiana 70130T: 504.322.4100F: 504.754.7569
NEW YORK77 Water StreetSuite 2100New York, New York 10005T: 212.232.1300F: 212.232.1399
ORANGE COUNTY650 Town Center Drive Suite 1400Costa Mesa, California 92626T: 714.545.9200F: 714.850.1030
PHOENIXPhoenix Plaza Tower II 2929 North Central Avenue Suite 1700Phoenix, Arizona 85012T: 602.385.1040F: 602.385.1051
PROVIDENCE10 Dorrance Street Suite 700Providence, Rhode Island 02903Tel: 401.406.3310Fax: 401.406.3312
SACRAMENTO2850 Gateway Oaks Drive Suite 450Sacramento, California 95833T: 916.564.5400F: 916.564.5444
SAN BERNARDINO650 East Hospitality Lane Suite 600San Bernardino, California 92408T: 909.387.1130F: 909.387.1138
SAN DIEGO701 B Street Suite 1900San Diego, California 92101T: 619.233.1006F: 619.233.8627
SAN FRANCISCO333 Bush Street Suite 1100San Francisco, California 94104T: 415.362.2580F: 415.434.0882
SEATTLE2101 Fourth Avenue Suite 700, Seattle, Washington 98121T: 206.436.2020F: 206.436.2030
TAMPA3812 Coconut Palm Drive Suite 200Tampa, Florida 33619T: 813.739.1900F: 813.739.1919
TEMECULAOne Ridgegate Drive Suite 245Temecula, California 92590T: 951.252.6150F: 951.252.6151
TUCSONOne South Church Avenue Suite 2100Tucson, Arizona 85701T: 520.399.6990F: 520.838.8618
WASHINGTON, D.C.601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWSuite 900, South BuildingWashington, D.C. 20004T: 202.220.3165 F: 202.400.2288
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CLIENT FOCUSED • RESULTS DRIVEN
LewisBrisbois.com