Experience
Target Corporation v. Golden State, et al.
Successfully defended a favorable summary judgment ruling for both McKesson Corporation and its captive insurance company on appeal to the Second Appellate District. The lawsuit was filed against McKesson by Target seeking indemnity from McKesson and insurance coverage from McKesson’s captive insurance company for costs that Target incurred to defend and settle an underlying product liability case.
Multi-State Managed Care Insurance Coverage
Ongoing insurance coverage advice to a multi-state managed care organization in connection with various disputes arising out of underlying litigation. Underlying matters include major class actions, high-value personal injury and employment cases, business disputes, and qui tam litigation.
Securities Class Action
Advising health and wellness company on coverage issues in connection with securities class actions and related derivative lawsuits.
EPL and E&O Insurance Coverage
Representing one of California’s largest health plans in connection with various coverage matters arising under EPL and E&O policies.
Medical Device Products Liability
Ongoing representation of medical device manufacturer in connection with product liability lawsuits. We have achieved significant insurer contributions on client’s behalf.
Webcor-Obayashi Joint Venture v. Zurich American Insurance Company
Represent Webcor-Obayashi Joint Venture, the general contractor for the Salesforce Transit Center, against its builder’s risk insurer, Zurich American Insurance Company.
Kleinfelder
Retained to represent science and engineering consulting firm Kleinfelder in pursuing insurance coverage for large construction claims related to three Kleinfelder projects in California.
Venture Capital Firm Dispute and Resolution
Represented venture capital firm in obtaining insurance coverage for defense costs associated with its substantial investment in a portfolio company that faced high-profile investigations commenced by multiple federal agencies.
Hospital Executive Wrongful Termination
Advised regional hospital in connection with a high-stakes individual wrongful termination case. Successfully negotiated independent counsel rates to cover all of the Hospital’s costs with no coverage gap, and advocated for the hospital’s interests in response to various coverage and litigation management challenges generated by the hospital’s employment practices liability insurer, a Joint Powers Authority.
Trademark Infringement
Advising health and wellness company on the insurance coverage available for underlying lawsuit alleging infringement of trademark and slogan, and misappropriation of advertising ideas.
Claims Advocacy for Venture Capital Firm
We represented one of the country’s largest venture capital firms in several disputes with its liability insurer including a dispute concerning coverage for alleged liability arising out of conduct by rogue shareholder representative, in which we obtained a substantial contribution from the insurer to settlement of the underlying matter. We continue to represent the same client in ongoing negotiations concerning coverage for a securities class action filed against the venture capital firm and its appointed board member, arising out of one of the largest losses in the history of venture capital.
Multi-jurisdictional Coverage Litigation Over Legal Malpractice Insurance Tower
We pursued claims against a national law firm’s professional liability insurance tower in litigation venued in California, Washington D.C. and London, and successfully resolved the claims through mediation.
Confidential Arbitration Over CGL Insurance for Technology Company
We won an arbitration before a three-arbitrator panel, preventing an insurer from recovering a settlement payment it made under a CGL policy on behalf of a technology company, and then defeated the insurer’s petition to vacate the award; that order is currently on appeal.
Resolution of Start-Up's Founder Dispute with Venture Capital Firm's Insurance Proceeds
We advised a venture capital firm in connection with underlying “founder dispute” litigation, naming the portfolio company, its three largest investors, and their appointed board members as defendants. At mediation we resolved a potential eight-figure claim for an amount well within the limits of available insurance, persuading our client’s insurer to contribute far greater than its proportionate share of the settlement, to protect the client’s interests and its investment.
FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated v. Commerce & Industry Ins. Co.
We represented a major hotel property owner in insurance coverage litigation arising out of their insurer’s refusal to fully fund settlement of an underlying catastrophic personal injury action. Our complaint against insurer included claims for breach of contract and bad faith, and the matter settled favorably within 3 months of initiating litigation.
National Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Electronic Arts, Inc.
We represent Electronic Arts Inc. in coverage disputes arising out of class action lawsuits alleging misappropriation of likeness and antitrust violations brought by college and NFL athletes whose likenesses were allegedly used without their permission. When EA’s insurers filed a declaratory relief action to establish that they did not owe a duty to defend the underlying actions, we successfully obtained a stay of the coverage litigation pending further progress of the underlying actions.
Architects and Engineers’ E&O Coverage for Large Construction Projects
We provide ongoing strategic coverage advice to a global architectural and engineering firm in unique and complicated coverage and indemnification issues relating to disputes involving multi-million dollar transportation and sports facilities.
Claims Advocacy for International Shipping Entities Involved in Securities Litigation
We are currently advising international shipping entities regarding coverage issues arising out of securities litigation and preference claims asserted in multiple jurisdictions and involving nonstandard policy forms.
Claims Advocacy for Technology Company Involved in Data Breach
We represent a software and services company in an insurance claim arising out of a data breach that involves resolution of coverage issues relating to both customer and consumer class actions claims.
Resolution of Sensitive Claims Against Medical Testing Company with Insurance Proceeds
We represented a medical testing company facing serious and extremely public claims regarding alleged deficiencies in its technology and negotiated a resolution of all coverage claims.
Negotiation for Insurance and Indemnification Provisions for Timber Sale Agreement
We negotiated indemnification and the terms of a $100 million insurance tower relating to a timber sale agreement in Northern California to address wildfire risk.
Cyber and Tech E&O Policy Negotiation
We represent numerous technology companies in negotiating the terms of their Technology Errors & Omissions liability and cyber insurance policies.
Claims Advocacy for D&O Liability Insurance for Securities Class Actions and Derivative Claims
We have represented numerous companies or their directors or officers in obtaining insurance proceeds to fund the defense and settlement of securities class actions and derivative settlements, including Chesapeake Energy, Intuitive Surgical, J.C. Penney and Finisar Corporation.
Cyber Warranty and Backing Insurance Policy Negotiation
We have helped a cyber security company draft a warranty and backing cyber insurance policy for its customers.
Won Asbestos Insurance Coverage Appeal Worth Over $150 Million
On appeal, we successfully overturned unfavorable trial court rulings entered against John Crane, Inc. regarding insurance coverage for asbestos judgments. Taking over this complex insurance lawsuit from previous trial counsel, our work preserved over $150 million in excess insurance coverage. In the process, we turned back a serious challenge to the "all sums" allocation rule in Illinois.
Expert Witness Testimony on Captive Reinsurance
One of our partners served as expert witness on California insurance law on behalf of Camarin Ltd., a captive reinsurer for Weyerhaeuser. Camarin paid $25 million in connection with a class action settlement and sought reimbursement from its reinsurer, Swiss Re. Swiss Re denied coverage, resulting in coverage litigation in British Columbia. The case involved novel issues of proving a reinsurance claim for a matter resolved by settlement where the reinsurance policy does not have a “follow the settlements” clause. The British Columbia courts held that Camarin was required to present a full trial of the class action as if it had not settled, but had gone to trial in 2003. The matter settled on favorable terms shortly after Camarin presented the expert reports constituting its case in chief.
Environmental Coverage Litigation and Resolution
We represented U.S. Borax, a mining and chemical company, in insurance coverage litigation over multi-state, multi-site environmental coverage clean-up costs involving over 80 policies issued over a 25-year period. After securing favorable Phase I rulings on key legal and policy interpretation issues, we obtained substantial recoveries in settlement on the eve of a jury trial and preserved coverage for potential future claims.
Greenwich Ins. Co. v. Prosper Marketplace, Inc.
We represented Prosper Marketplace, Inc., a peer-to-peer lending company, in a bench trial in California state court against a D&O insurer that breached its duty to defend a securities class action lawsuit, and then successfully defended the trial win in the California Court of Appeal.
Intuitive Surgical Insurance Representations
Represented Intuitive Surgical in two separate claims, one for coverage of a derivative action under a management liability policy, the other for coverage for a products claim
Portfolio Company Exit
Represented a storied Sand Hill Road venture capital firm in connection with insurance coverage issues arising out of a medical device portfolio company exit. Post-closing, the acquiring company brought claims against the venture capital firm, as to which the firm’s VCAP liability insurer initially denied coverage. Following our involvement, the venture capital firm obtained a substantial settlement contribution from its insurer.
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