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René Siemens is a nationally recognized insurance coverage practitioner who represents policyholders in negotiations and disputes with their insurers. He also handles complex product liability, mass tort, environmental, and consumer cases.
Mr. Siemens has helped clients recover over $2 billion from their insurers. Chambers USA has described him as “an encyclopedia of insurance law,” and Legal 500 has described him as “the smartest guy in the room.” He has also been ranked in the top tier of policyholder attorneys by Best Lawyers in America, Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers and the PLC Cross-Border Insurance and Reinsurance Handbook, among others.
With over 20 years’ experience representing policyholders, his practice encompasses a wide range of insurance issues including environmental, natural disaster, asbestos, nuclear and product liability claims; privacy, cyber attack, event cancellation, property and business interruption losses; disputes under D&O and professional liability policies; and claims under many specialty coverages.
Clients also frequently consult Mr. Siemens on complex underwriting and risk management issues, including drafting and negotiating insurance policy contracts, risk transfer provisions in corporate transactions, structuring captive insurance and reinsurance programs, and claims presentation to insurers, captives, and their reinsurers.
Mr. Siemens’ insurance coverage work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Guardian, BBC, Jerusalem Report, Variety, Billboard, TMZ, California Lawyer, Los Angeles Lawyer, Examiner, Recorder, Los Angeles Daily Journal, Insurance Insider, Business Insurance, Insurance Litigation, Risk & Insurance, Law360, LexisNexis Insurance Law E-Newsletter, National Journal, Bloomberg Law Reports, Computer Fraud and Security, Reuters Accelus, and Risk Management. He publishes and speaks frequently on insurance issues and co-authored chapters on product liability insurance and alternative dispute resolution in the New Appleman Insurance Law Practice Guide, on property insurance exclusions in the New Appleman on Insurance Law, and on cyber insurance in New Appleman on Insurance: Current Critical Issues in Insurance Law.
Insurance Coverage
Environmental
- Lead counsel for aerospace company prosecuting coverage claims against more than thirty insurers for response costs incurred to remediate former defense production sites (Whittaker Corporation v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court).
- Obtained nearly $400 million in insurance settlements on behalf of an aerospace company for environmental cleanup claims relating to a single site under general liability, environmental “cost cap,” and pollution legal liability policies (In re: RFI Realty, Inc., et al., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona).
- Won summary judgment that a $75 million environmental “cost cap” and pollution legal liability insurance policy had been wrongfully cancelled, resulting in a policy-limits recovery from the insurer and recoveries from the premium finance lender and insurance broker involved in the transaction (Steadfast Ins. Co. v. Whittaker Corp., Los Angeles Superior Court).
- Lead counsel in successful prosecution of bad-faith claims under “cost cap” and pollution legal liability policies on behalf of the former owner of 1000-acre brownfield site (Chubb Custom Ins. Co. v. AISLIC, et al.; AISLIC v. Chubb Custom Ins. Co., Los Angeles Superior Court).
- Lead counsel in successful prosecution of claims under historic general liability policies for manufacturer’s costs of remediating contaminated sites around the country and settling related toxic tort claims (Whittaker Corp. v. Stonebridge Life Ins. Co., et al.; Continental Cas. Co. v. Whittaker Corp., et al.; Pacific Indem. Co. v. Whittaker Corp., Los Angeles Superior Court; Whittaker Corp. v. Pacific Indem. Co., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Helped secure landmark appellate rulings affirming California policyholders’ right to “stack” multiple years of insurance policies to cover continuing property damage claims under general liability policies (State of California v. Continental Ins. Co., California Court of Appeal (amicus)).
- Represent major real estate developer in prosecuting mold coverage claims under environmental cost cap policy.
- Advised numerous real estate developers and manufacturers in structuring, negotiating, and presenting claims under “cost cap,” pollution legal liability, and other specialized environmental insurance policies for contaminated properties.
- Lead counsel for national research university in recovering under general liability policies for claims arising out of alleged involvement in U.S. Army study of effects of aerosolized chemicals.
- Represented energy company in prosecuting one of the largest environmental insurance cases in history, seeking coverage under comprehensive general liability policies for CERCLA clean up costs at sites around the country (ARCO v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., Los Angeles Superior Court; Home Ins. Co. v. Superior Court, California Court of Appeal).
Natural Disasters
- Lead counsel in successful prosecution of coverage claims for the 2007 San Diego Wildfires, which allegedly caused over $2 billion of damage (PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc. v. ACE Property & Cas. Co., San Diego Superior Court).
- Lead counsel for policyholder in successful insurance recovery action for eight-figure claims arising out of the 2004 “Power Fire” (VSC Sub, Inc v. Lexington Ins. Co., Amador County Superior Court).
- Represented policyholders in securing insurance recoveries for Northridge Earthquake losses.
Asbestos
- Lead counsel for defense contractor in prosecution of coverage claims for asbestos liability (Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. v. Allianz Underwriters Ins. Co., et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Lead counsel for national building company in recovering from insurers for legacy personal injury asbestos claims arising out of alleged operations of predecessor companies.
- Lead counsel for two of the world’s largest chemical distribution companies in securing insurance recoveries for thousands of claims for nationwide asbestos liabilities.
- Lead counsel for diversified manufacturing conglomerate in obtaining insurance recoveries for nationwide asbestos claims.
Cyber/Data Breach/Privacy Insurance
- Lead counsel for global professional services company and its captive insurer in recovering nearly $40 million of costs to respond to a foreign government sponsored advanced persistent attack on its network, and in obtaining recoveries from the captive's reinsurers.
- Lead counsel for major medical center in litigation with a general liability insurer to obtain coverage for class action litigation arising out of alleged release of protected health information; obtained precedent-setting ruling that statutory damages for privacy breaches are covered under CGL policies (Hartford Cas. Ins. Co. v. Corcino & Assoc., et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals).
- Lead counsel for national retailer in successful prosecution of claims against its D&O and CGL insurers for coverage of class action claims alleging illegal recording of customer telephone calls (Bass Pro v. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co. of Am., et al., San Diego Superior Court).
- Lead counsel for one of the largest convenience store chains in the United States in recovering under crime policy for losses caused by hacking of customer data.
- Lead counsel for mortgage processing company in recovering from E&O and D&O insurer for class action claims arising out of alleged illegal recording of telephone calls.
- Lead counsel for national managed care organization in successful prosecution of coverage claims under its cyber and professional liability insurance policies for data security breach lawsuits arising out of the alleged loss of server drives containing confidential medical information of over a million patients and potentially seeking billions of dollars in damages.
- Lead counsel for stem cell bank in recovering under cyber insurance for nine-figure privacy breach claim arising out of alleged breach affecting nearly 300,000 clients.
- Lead counsel for major university research hospital in recovering under cyber and D&O policies for an eight-figure data security breach claim arising out of alleged release of confidential medical information of nearly 20,000 patients.
- Representation of many clients – including one of the world’s leading professional services organizations, two global credit card and payment services companies, an internationally renowned network of hospitals and clinics, a national health plan management company, a biopharmaceutical company, one of the nation's largest convenience store chains, and a leading medical claims processing company, among others – in structuring and negotiating the terms of their cyber insurance programs.
- Advised one of the nation's largest retailers regarding insurance coverage for costs stemming from a cyber-attack launched against it during the holiday shopping season.
- Advised a global professional services company and a national research university in establishing a captive insurer and reinsurance program to cover its privacy and data security risks.
- Lead counsel for a national research institution on claims against its insurance broker for negligent placement of a cyber insurance policy.
- Advised a technology incubator company in connection with negotiation of internet liability coverage program.
- Represented major internet drugstore company in insurance coverage and products liability litigation and counseling.
- Counseled international publisher on coverage for claims arising out of its acquisition of online magazines.
Media/Entertainment
- Lead counsel for a major band in prosecuting claims against event cancellation insurers and brokers for coverage of losses resulting from cancellation of concerts in the UK and due to terrorist attacks in Paris (Foo Fighters, LLC v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Represented tour producers in prosecuting claims for coverage of death of major entertainer.
- Advise major studio regarding structuring of insurance program for potential intellectual property claims arising out of new programming.
- Advise media streaming service regarding coverage for cyber risks.
Nuclear
- Lead counsel for company in connection with potential nine-figure nuclear property and business interruption insurance claims arising out of alleged defects in design of nuclear power plant.
- Obtained summary judgment ruling invalidating the nuclear insurance industry’s standard “pollution exclusion,” and requiring a nuclear liability insurer to defend its insured under the current nuclear liability insurance form against a government claim for investigation and remediation of radioactive contamination related to the Nuclear Metals Superfund site (Whittaker Corporation v. American Nuclear Insurers, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts).
- Represented energy company in successfully prosecuting claims against nuclear insurance pool for defense and settlement of personal injury claims (Hall v. Babcock & Wilcox Company, U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania; The Babcock & Wilcox Company, et al. v. American Nuclear Insurers, et al., Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, Pa.; In re The Babcock & Wilcox Company, et al., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals).
Products/Pharmaceutical/Clinical Trials
- Lead counsel prosecuting claims of sports equipment companies for coverage of nationwide product liability suits arising out of the use of football helmets (Riddell, Inc. v. ACE American Ins. Co., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court; Riddell, Inc. v. Superior Court, California Court of Appeal).
- Lead counsel in prosecution of “bad faith” claims against product liability insurer for wrongful refusal to pay defense costs (Aspen Specialty Ins. Co. v. Riddell, Inc., et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Represented various research institutions, pharma and medical device companies in structuring and negotiating insurance programs to cover pharmaceutical, medical device and clinical trial risks, and in prosecuting claims for coverage.
- Obtained defense and indemnity coverage for product defect claims against leading biopharmaceutical company.
- Represented pharmaceutical company in successful prosecution of nine-figure coverage claims for mass tort suits arising out of alleged HIV- and HCV-tainted blood clotting medicines (Alpha Therapeutic Corp. v. Home Ins. Co., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court and California Court of Appeal; Alpha Therapeutic Corp. v. Steadfast Ins. Co., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court).
- Represented building material supplier in seeking California Supreme Court review of applicability of absolute pollution exclusion to silica exposure bodily injury cases (Garamendi v. Golden Eagle Ins. Co. (Pauli Systems), Supreme Court of California).
- Represented medical product manufacturer in securing defense and indemnity under product liability policies for worldwide personal injury claims involving intraocular lens product.
- Obtained defense and indemnity from product liability insurer for product defect claims involving reprocessed surgical devices.
Property and Business Interruption
- Represent major space research and development center in recovering for extensive damage to network servers and related computer equipment.
- Represented institutional lender in prosecuting claims for property and business interruption insurance coverage for World Trade Center Buildings 1, 2, 4, and 5 (SR Int’l Bus. Ins. Co. Ltd v. World Trade Center Properties LLC, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York).
- Lead counsel in successful prosecution of multi-jurisdictional claims against property insurer and mold remediation contractor for catastrophic losses due to water damage, business interruption, and mold in critical patient care areas of a hospital (HealthPlus Corp. v. Travelers Indem. Co. of Illinois & Munters Corp., Los Angeles Superior Court; Travelers Indem. Co. of Illinois v. HealthPlus Corp., U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented home builder in insurance recovery for “Chinese Drywall” claims.
- Assisted semiconductor company in recovering for flood damage to transceiver manufacturing and testing equipment.
D&O/E&O/Fiduciary Liability/Employment
- Lead counsel in representation of former directors and officers of a failed community bank in securing defense and indemnity coverage from D&O insurer for lawsuit brought by FDIC.
- Lead counsel in representation of former directors and officers of the nation’s largest failed credit union in prosecution of $6.8 billion D&O coverage and indemnity claims (National Credit Union Administration v. Siravo, et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Represented national research institution in recovering from insurers for sex abuse claims.
- Represented numerous institutional insureds or their directors and officers in negotiating and restructuring D&O and E&O insurance placements and renewals, including one of the leading global professional services companies, a global credit card and payment services company, a leading defense contractor, a global social media company, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, a major stem cell bank, directors of the nation’s largest credit union, one of the world’s largest data storage service providers, and a national food services company, among others.
- Represented founding member of renewable energy company in obtaining coverage under D&O policies for costs of responding to Department of Justice investigation of a half billion federal loan default.
- Lead counsel in representation of national research institution in recovery under D&O policies for eight-figure data security breach claims.
- Obtained defense and indemnity coverage for claims against directors and officers or real estate investment company arising out of failed real estate transactions.
- Prosecuted nine-figure errors and omissions coverage claim on behalf of managed care company for costs of defending and settling nationwide ERISA class actions alleging underpayment of medical benefits (Health Net, Inc. v. American International Specialty Lines Ins. Co., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court, California Court of Appeal).
- Advised one of the world’s largest product companies on allocation under D&O policies of nine-figure settlement of securities claims.
- Advised global accounting company on availability of indemnity coverage for nine-figure settlement of professional liability claim.
- Represented medical device manufacturer in connection with directors and officers, errors and omissions, and fiduciary liability insurance claims arising out of worldwide product recall.
- Represented prominent attorney in defense and indemnity from professional liability carrier for malpractice claims.
- Represented major talent agency in securing coverage for defense and settlement of age discrimination class action.
Other
- Cargo/Marine: Lead counsel in successful prosecution of coverage claims for theft of cell phone shipment under marine and inland cargo policies (LG Electronics Mobilecomm U.S.A., Inc v. LIG Ins. Co, et al., U.S. District Court, Southern District of California).
- Mortgage, Bond, Credit: Represented bank in prosecuting claims against its credit and bond insurers for mortgage-backed securities losses (Indymac v. Radian Insurance, Indymac v. Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, Los Angeles Superior Court, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Southern District of New York).
- Aviation: Obtained full recovery from aviation insurers for destruction of building caused by plane crash near Los Angeles.
- Life Insurance: Represented major financial institution in defense of cases brought around the country by insurers seeking to rescind “stranger-originated” life insurance policies (West Coast Life Insurance Co. v. Life Brokerage Partners LLC, et al., U.S. District Court, Southern District of California).
- Life Insurance: Represented Holocaust survivors and their heirs in recovery of approximately $500 million in worldwide class actions against European insurance companies alleged to have denied benefits wrongfully under life insurance policies issued from the 1920s to the 1940s (Smetana v. Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., et al., San Francisco Superior Court; Sladek v. Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court (amicus); In re Holocaust Insurance Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Supreme Court).
- Life Insurance: Assisted the California Legislature in drafting and testifying in support of the Holocaust Victims Insurance Relief Act.
Captives, Reinsurance, and Alternative Risk Transfer
- Frequently represents clients — including a leading national research institution, one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, and a global professional services organization — in structuring and negotiating the terms of captive insurance programs and ceding agreements between captives and reinsurers, and the handling of claims under captive programs.
- Advises companies on, and litigates claims under, retrospective premium arrangements, fronting and self-insurance, and other alternative risk transfer mechanisms.
- Successfully defeated insurers’ attempts to seek equitable contribution from policyholder’s captive and fronting insurance program (Pacific Indem. Co. v. Whittaker Corp., Los Angeles Superior Court).
Product Liability and Mass Tort
- Represented defense contractor in toxic tort suits arising out of alleged groundwater contamination or air pollution near ordnance assembly and testing, R&D, and rocketry facilities in Northern and Southern California (Baier, Kerr, Taylor and Yeh v. Aerojet-General Corp., U.S. District Court, Central District of California; Gatter v. Aerojet-General Corp., Los Angeles Superior Court; Haynes v. Aerojet-General Corp., Sacramento Superior Court; Caldwell v. Aerojet-General Corp., Sacramento Superior Court, California Court of Appeal)
- Represented the largest domestic cigarette manufacturer in defense of product liability claims through appeal (e.g., Henley and Whitely v. Philip Morris Inc., California Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of California).
- Represented reprocessor of surgical devices in connection with defense of personal injury litigation.
Other Complex Litigation
- Lead counsel in prosecution of CERCLA “arranger” and “owner” claims against the United States based on government control over use of perchlorate, solvents, and explosive wastes at a munitions manufacturing sites (Whittaker Corporation v. United States, U.S. District Courts, Central and Northern Districts of California, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit).
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice of claims against directors of largest failed credit union in US history asserted by federal government (National Credit Union Administration v. Siravo, et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Represented franchisor in high-profile lawsuit alleging breach of franchise agreements (Johnson v. McDonald’s Corp., U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Represented defense contractor in defense of CERCLA groundwater contamination claims (Castaic Lake Water Agency v. Whittaker Corporation, U.S. District Court, Central District of California).
- Represented oil company in defense of NEPA and Magnuson Act injunction claims arising out of permitting of shipping facility (Ocean Advocates v. BP West Coast Products, LLC, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington).
- Represented national health care company in trademark, trade secret, and contract litigation against breakaway franchisees (Bradley Medical, Inc. v. Home Americair of California, and Parkman-Merritt, Inc. v. Home Americair of California, Orange County Superior Court).
- Represented industrial hygiene company in defense of professional liability claims by mold remediation contractor (Munters Corp. v. Pacific Health & Safety, Los Angeles Superior Court).
- Represented prominent attorney in defense of a substantial professional liability suit.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice on a motion to dismiss, with substantial sanctions award.
- Attorney in defense and resolution of professional liability suit arising out of claims by former joint clients.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Fellow of American College of Coverage & Extracontractual Counsel
- Law360, Editorial Advisory Board (2011)
- Western Justice Center Foundation, former Member of the Board of Directors
- Western Center on Law and Poverty, former Member of the Board of Directors
- American Bar Association (Litigation and Tort and Insurance Practice Sections); Co-Chair, CGL Subcommittee of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
- State Bar of California
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Risk and Insurance Management Society
- Counsel to the Rampart Independent Review Panel, charged by the Los Angeles Police Commission with performing a review of the Los Angeles Police Department
March 2021
As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are facing and develop plans and strategies in response. Reach out to our COVID-19 task force at COVID19@cov.com. Below is a compendium of resources ...
August 13, 2020, Covington Alert
While the world continues to battle the coronavirus, another battle wages on in the courts, as insurers continue to issue blanket denials for COVID-19 business interruption losses. Many are closely watching how the judicial and legislative branches will answer what have emerged as two key questions: Do the causes of COVID-19 business interruption losses ...
California Supreme Court Decision Removes Significant Obstacle To Coverage For Long-Tail Claims
April 7, 2020, Covington Alert
On April 6, 2020, the California Supreme Court handed down a major victory for corporate policyholders facing liability for “long-tail” claims involving continuous or progressive injuries that span multiple insurance policy years, such as environmental, asbestos, construction defect, product liability, toxic tort, and sexual abuse cases. Montrose Chemical Corp. ...
March 12, 2020, Bloomberg
René Siemens spoke with Bloomberg about the increase in concert cancellations due to the coronavirus outbreak. He says artists, promoters and ticket sellers are still assessing the economic costs, including events that have only been postponed, and that cancellations have never happened on this scale before.
January 14, 2019, Covington Alert
In the wake of destructive cyber incidents over the past few years, the insurance industry and its regulators have focused more attention on so-called “silent cyber” exposures in traditional property/casualty insurance policy forms and started taking steps to reduce or specifically address those exposures. We explain here what “silent cyber” means, and what the ...
July 24, 2018, Covington Alert
Phishing, spoofing, and computer-based scams pose a significant threat to businesses. Yet in recent years many victims of these scams — also variously referred to as "business email compromise," "social engineering," "fake creditor," or "fake president" fraud — have found that their insurers refused to pay claims for their computer-related fraud losses.
June 5, 2018
WASHINGTON—Covington’s Insurance Recovery practice has received the 2018 Chambers USA "Award for Excellence" in Insurance, marking the seventh time the firm has received this honor in the 12 years it has been awarded. The "Award for Excellence" is given to one U.S. firm representing policyholders in the insurance coverage field. In addition to the award, ...
January 17, 2018, Covington Alert
Dozens of pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and retailers have been named as defendants in opioid-related lawsuits, investigations, and congressional inquiries across the country. These actions and investigations include allegations that defendants misleadingly marketed opioids, failed to comply with regulatory requirements to report ...
December 12, 2017, Covington Alert
Massive wildfires have devastated Ventura County, and they now threaten lives, homes and businesses in Los Angeles and San Diego. In the face of these catastrophic fires, businesses and their employees should focus on safety. In their aftermath, businesses must act promptly and assertively to protect their insurance rights and remedies. Early and deliberate ...
Cyber Attacks: Emerging Insurance Issues
September 18, 2017, Hospital Insurance Forum Fall Conference
September 13, 2017, Covington Alert
Hurricane Irma has battered much of Florida, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, just days after tropical storm Harvey devastated Houston and its environs. This e-alert provides practical tips to help maximize insurance recoveries for those organizations whose property was damaged or whose business was interrupted by these catastrophic events.
June 14, 2017
WASHINGTON—Covington’s Insurance Recovery practice has received the 2017 Chambers USA "Award for Excellence" in Insurance, marking the sixth time the firm has received this honor in the 11 years it has been awarded. The "Award for Excellence" is given to one U.S. firm representing policyholders in the insurance coverage field. In addition to the award, Covington ...
May 17, 2017, Covington Alert
Last Friday may mark the start of a new era in cyber crime. The first worldwide ransomware attack, commonly dubbed “WannaCry,” emerged on May 12. The malware is believed to have infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries to date. A cyber criminal or ring of criminals, taking advantage of an exploit made available by the ShadowBrokers hacker group that ...
Cyber & Data Risk Insurance: Evaluating Coverage, Pricing, and Options
October 14, 2016, American Conference Institute 20th Advanced Global Legal and Compliance Forum on Privacy & Security of Consumer and Employee Information
Cybersecurity - What Every Lawyer Needs to Know to Protect their Firms and their Clients
October 2016, Loyola Law School & Federal Communications Bar Association
Healthcare Industry Session: Cyber Insurance
April 2016, RIMS National Conference
Covered: Buying and Collecting on Insurance for Cyber-Related IP Losses
December 2015
September 16, 2015, Mealey’s Litigation Report: Insurance
August 21, 2015, Covington Alert
Calif. Policy Transfer Ruling Ends Insurer 'Windfall'”
August 20, 2015, Law360
René Siemens was quoted in this article.
May 21, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, May 21, 2015 — Covington’s insurance recovery practice won the 2015 Chambers USA Award for Excellence in Insurance, marking the fifth time the firm has received this honor in the nine years it has been awarded. The Award for Excellence, presented at Chambers USA’s annual awards dinner in New York City on May 19, was given to only one U.S. firm ...
Cyber Attacks and Security
November 2014, Ernst & Young Energy Risk and Compliance Client Conference
Risk Management, Crisis Response & Data Protection
October 2014, International Energy Forum - Cybersecurity in the Global Energy Sector
Negotiating and Drafting Cyber Risk Provisions and Policies
September 2014, American Conference Institute's 9th National Advanced Forum on Cyber & Data Risk Insurance
August 2014, GraveltoGavel Blog
How Consumer and Retail Businesses Can Prepare for the Next Data Breach
April 2014, Webinar
Insurance Coverage Trends: California Year in Review
January 2014, Pillsbury CLE Marathon
Muddying the Waters on Policy Stacking Law
Summer 2013, Perspectives on Insurance Recovery
Cyber Insurance: What Do Your Clients Need?
April 2013, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Legal Task Force
Managing Cyber Risks: How to Keep Your Data Safe
April 2013, RIMS National Conference
Preserving and Maximizing Insurance Claims in the Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy
January 2013, Lexis-Nexis
Public Companies Must Disclose Cyber-Liability Risks
November 2012, Lexis-Nexis
October/November 2012, Insurance Coverage Law Report
September 2012, New Appleman on Insurance: Current Critical Issues in Insurance Law, Lexis-Nexis
July 2012, Daily Journal
Public Companies Must Disclose Cyber-Liability Risks
Summer 2012, Perspectives on Insurance
Cyber Insurance: Mitigating Loss from Cyber Attacks
Summer 2012, Perspectives on Insurance
2012, New Appleman Insurance Law Practice Guide, Chapter 30B, LexisNexis
Property Insurance Exclusions
2012, New Appleman on Insurance Law, Library Edition, Chapter 43, LexisNexis
Emerging Legal Trends in Cyberinsurance
January 2012, Pillsbury CLE Marathon
Insurance in the Wake of the United Kingdom Bribery Act
July 2011, ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation, ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation
UK Bribery Act 2010 - Consider Your Directors and Officers Insurance?
July 2011, Lexis-Nexis
Old Wines, New Battles: Lessons from the Great Fire of 1906
Summer 2011, Perspectives on Insurance Recovery
Lessons from 1906: Stories and Holdings from the 1906 San Francisco Fire Insurance Cases
January 2011
Case Overview: Lessons from the Great Fire of 1906
December 2010, Risk Management
Preparing to Defend Cases in High-Risk Jurisdictions or in Emerging Hot-Button Areas for Manufacturers
December 2010, American Conference Institute: 15th Annual Drug and Medical Device Litigation
Are Costs of Cleaning Up Radioactive Contamination Covered?
June 2010, LexisNexis
What You Have Always Wanted to Know About Privacy (but were afraid to ask)
June 2010, Webinar
July 2009, Corporate Counselor
D&O Insurance During the Economic Crisis
April 2009, RIMS National Conference
Alternative Dispute Resolution
2008, Chapter 25 of the New Appleman Insurance Law Practice Guide, LexisNexis
Litigation Nuts & Bolts Program
May 2000, Los Angeles County Bar Association
April 2000, Computer Law Association Bulletin
- Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers (2018)
- Chambers USA, Insurance: Policyholder (2010-2020)
- Best Lawyers in America, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance (2014-2020)
- Legal 500 US, Insurance - Advice to Policyholders (2016-2017), Data Protection and Privacy (2011-2014) and Cyber Crime (2014)
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Insurance Coverage (2010-2018)
- PLC Which Lawyer?, Insurance: Policy Holder (2011-2012)
- Who's Who Legal, Insurance & Reinsurance (2013)
- Wiley W. Manuel Award, Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California (2003)
- Certificate of Recognition for Pro Bono Activities, Speaker of the Assembly of the State of California (2002)
- Richard E. Guggenheim Pro Bono Award (2000)
- Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney of the Year Award, Bet Tzedek Legal Service (1999)

COVID-19: Legal and Business Toolkit
We are helping clients around the world navigate this evolving, complex situation.
Practices
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1995
- cum laude
University of Oxford, D.Phil., 1990
University of Oxford, Bac. Phil., 1985
University of Winnipeg, 1983
- Honors
Bar Admissions
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California