- Handled complex construction insurance coverage litigation, including as counsel for a liability insurer in an action brought by third-party claimants for alleged fraud and concealment in the management of underlying construction and product defect litigation (resulting in new state legislation enacted for the express purpose of overruling appellate decision affirming dismissal of client).
- Acted as lead counsel for ACE U.S.A. in prominent cases such as Shell Oil, FMC and Aerojet-General Corp., establishing California law on scope of insurance coverage in asbestos, environmental and toxics litigation.
- Defended class actions and lawsuits under California’s Business & Professions Code §17200 relating to insurance sales, claims handling practices, and regulatory issues, including a challenge to a major property and casualty insurer’s asbestos and environmental restructuring and the investigation of a reinsurer for its purported links to historical episodes of criminal misconduct.
- Obtained favorable California Court of Appeal decision limiting scope of duty to defend in sexual molestation cases.
- Represented ACE U.S.A. in a coverage trial and appeal regarding antitrust and ostensible false advertising claims.
- Regularly advises insurers and policyholders on professional liability, directors and officers, construction defect, environmental and other current insurance coverage issues.
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- US District Court for the Central, Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of California
- US Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits
- California Supreme Court
Education
- Northwestern University, J.D., 1980: cum laude; Order of the Coif; Northwestern University Law Review, 1978-80
- University of British Columbia, B.A., honors history, 1977
Honors & Awards
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law in San Francisco, CA (2006-2026)
- Chambers USA, Insurance, 2004-present
- Super Lawyers, 2006-present
Professional Activities
Member
- Litigation Section and Tort and Insurance Practice Section, and Center for Professional Responsibility, American Bar Association
- Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Northwestern Law Advisory Board
- Lambda Legal National Leadership Council
Co-Author
- Manual for Complex Insurance Coverage Litigation
Related Practices