We represent insurance policyholders in disputes with their insurers. We have consistently obtained multi-million recoveries for our clients under the broadest range of insurance policies, including commercial general liability, director and officer liability, errors and omissions, employment practices, property coverages, and fidelity and surety bonds.  We also have advised policyholders in advance of potential disputes regarding rights under all of the above coverages, and under newer types of policies, such as mergers and acquisitions insurance, and cyber-liability coverages.

We represent public and private companies and individuals in construction, manufacturing, financial services, real estate, food, beverage and the wine industry, and innumerable other pursuits.  Typical disputes involve issues of policy interpretation, the insurer’s duty to defend third party claims, the insurer’s obligations of good faith and fair dealing in all matters, including settlement, valuation of damaged property, insurers’ claims for reimbursement, and other bad faith conduct by the insurer. We frequently are called upon to advise clients in evaluating coverage available to adverse parties, in order to facilitate resolution of disputes and maximize our clients’ potential recovery.

Attorneys representing clients in insurance coverage matters have a wide range of litigation experience in state and federal courts and are actively involved in bar association activities focused on insurance practice issues. We pride ourselves on our ability to resolve disputes economically and expeditiously, and our insurance coverage lawyers are experienced in all aspects of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as a means of resolving coverage issues.

Construction.  Represented manufacturer of construction parts in litigation in California and Hawaii over insurance for construction defect suits.  Secured aggressive defense of all claims, with insurer funding 100% of costs of defense and settlement.

Green buildings. Represent start-up, producer of “green” modular component buildings, sued for providing allegedly defective components.  Secured ongoing defense of underlying defect claim.

Semiconductors. Represent former manufacturer of computer chips in securing insurance coverage for claims alleging former employees and/or their offspring were harmed by exposure to toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process.  Secured aggressive insurer-funded defense leading to defense victory in first cases, and insurer-funded settlement of remaining cases.

Wood Products.  Represent former owner of wood products company.  Secured proper defense of underlying claim of environmental contamination, despite insurers’ assertion of “pollution” exclusion.

Financial Services.  Represented custodian of self-directed pension funds regarding professional liability coverage for customer suits alleging custodian failed to prevent its customers from investing in Ponzi schemes.

Attorneys.  Represent law firm against insurer who failed to fund defense and settlement of harassment and discrimination claim.

Food Industry.  Represent provider of sustainably produced seafood products in seeking defense of false advertising claims.

Retail.  Represented publicly traded home furnishings retailer in obtaining reimbursement for costs of defense of trademark and trade dress infringement claims.

Pharmaceutical industry.  Represented purchaser of pharmaceutical company sued for alleged breach of acquisition agreement; secured insurer’s payment of primary insurance policy limits in light of defamation claim not alleged but potentially embedded in suit.

Pharmaceutical industry.  Represented developer of new drug in procuring insurance for claims alleging unfair competition and theft of trade secrets.

Financial Services.  Represented investment advisor regarding professional liability coverage for erroneous securities trade.

Real Estate Investment.  Represented national real estate investment firm with regard to insurers’ obligation to defend and settle novel tenant claims.

Real Estate Investment.  Represented real estate company and its principal with regard to co-owner’s suit alleging breaches of fiduciary duty, and seeking buy out of interest in firm.  Successfully secured insurer funding of aggressive defense involving two published appellate decisions, leading to complete defense of all claims.

Construction.  Represented mechanical contractor alleged to have caused explosion and fire at a recycling facility.

Contracting.  Represented owner of regional landscaping business in procuring coverage for harassment claims over defenses that claims preceded policy inception.

Wine industry.  Represented numerous wineries in recovering fair valuations of wine lost or damaged in warehouse fire.

Wine industry.  Represented winery in recovering fair value of damage to buildings, to wines in barrel, and to library wines lost or damaged in winery fire.

Wine industry.  Represented winery in obtaining insurance coverage for label dispute.

Wine industry.  Represented winery warehouse ownership in insurance claims for loss of building and their own wines, and defended owners against actions brought by other wineries who lost product in the warehouse.  Our representation expanded to successfully cover additional damages from persons responsible for the origin and spread of the fire and, finally, to enjoin persons who purported to salvage minimally damaged product from unlawfully selling it under original labels.

Crime Policies.  Secured recoveries of losses caused by employee and non-employee forgery and theft for companies ranging from investment advisors to health services providers to sellers of silicon chips.

“Reps and Warranties” Policies.  Advised companies ranging from waste management to pharmaceutical regarding insurance coverage for sellers’ Representations and Warranties in acquisition agreements.