Attorney Profiles

SENIOR ATTORNEY with extensive experience in complex litigation and business management. Skilled in legal research and opinions, all forms of discovery, trial work, mediation, negotiation, and unraveling difficult and convoluted problems. Recognized as an excellent writer, a creative thinker, and a decision-maker.

EXPERIENCE

GORDON & REES, San Francisco, California 2006-2007

Senior counsel

• Analyze, research and provide opinions on coverage problems on disputes ranging from the simple to the extraordinarily complex
• Represent insurance carriers in all lines of insurance in bad faith and coverage litigation in all courts in the State of California, with principal concentration on researching and writing complex motions

LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH, San Francisco, California 2002-2004, 2005-2006

Partner

• Analyze, research and provide opinions on coverage problems on disputes ranging from the simple to the extraordinarily complex
• Represent insurance carriers in all lines of insurance in bad faith and coverage litigation in all courts in the State of California, with principal concentration on researching and writing complex motions
• Represent insurers in appeals

SWANSON & ANTOGNINI 2004-2005

Attorney

• Research and write motions, briefs, appeals and opinion letters regarding extremely complex insurance coverage issues, especially including contribution and subrogation claims and construction defect issues; undefeated in motion practice
• Represent insurance carriers in bad faith, coverage and contribution litigation in all courts in the State of California
• Provide coverage opinions in numerous jurisdictions in the United States, including California, Nevada, Illinois, Texas and Colorado

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE GROUP, Sacramento, California 1999-2002

Senior Counsel

Office of General Counsel

Nationwide Insurance Group

• Act as counsel to California health insurance business in all aspects of its operation
• Provide advice and counsel on rescission of policies and other underwriting questions
• Provide advice and counsel on claims issues
• Interact with the California Department of Insurance on regulatory and business matters, including approval of forms, transfer of assets and liabilities and consumer complaints
• Provide training on various issues to all levels of health insurance operation
• Manage outside counsel in defending litigation against the company

Managing Claims Counsel

CalFarm Insurance Company

Allied Insurance Company

• Analyzed, researched and resolved coverage and liability problems presented by all areas of claims organization on all lines of insurance
• Managed one attorney in resolving coverage and liability questions
• Provided training on coverage issues to claims personnel
• Participated in audits of claims files

CALFARM INSURANCE COMPANY, Sacramento, California 1997-1999

Managing Attorney, Claims Coverage

• Analyzed researched and provided legal opinions on coverage problems on all lines of insurance
• Prepared reservation of rights and denial letters on claims presented
• Resolved coverage disputes against the company through correspondence and negotiation with opposing counsel
• Chaired twice-weekly coverage committee meetings
  Reviewed, analyzed and rewrote policy forms and manuscript endorsements for underwriting department
• Reviewed, analyzed and approved proposed advertisements for marketing and sales departments
• Managed two attorneys performing coverage work
• Participated in medical insurance claims committee considering recissions
• Filled in for general counsel of company in her absence, particularly on medical insurance issues

MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANIES, Omaha, Nebraska

Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel 1995-1996

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company

• Managed five attorneys and three paralegals in handling 300 bad faith medical insurance lawsuits and claims collectively valued at $30 million
• Pioneered use of paralegals to bring discovery work in-house
• Provided advice on policies and procedures necessary to comply with governmental statutes and regulations
• Served on Board of Directors of Mutual of Omaha U.K. Ltd.

General Counsel 1993-1996

Omaha Indemnity Company

Omaha Property & Casualty Company

• Brought environmental coverage work in-house, decreasing outside attorneys' fees by 50% in first year, 93% over three years, and decreasing claims pending by 60%
• Bought back numerous policies, hastening runoff of old general liability program
• Advised company on legal issues presented in all aspects of insurance business
• Rendered coverage opinions and brought preemptive suits against insureds on coverage issues

BURDITT & RADZIUS, CHARTERED, Chicago, Illinois 1987-1993

Shareholder

• Represented property and casualty insurers in the defense of insurance coverage and bad faith litigation
• Developed expertise in broad range of coverage types, including commercial general liability, umbrella/excess, truckers, public officials, directors and officers, professional malpractice, auto, homeowners and property

RUBERRY, PHARES, ABRAMSON & FOX, Chicago, Illinois 1987

Associate

• Coverage work performed until practice group merged with Burditt & Radzius, Chartered

ANDICH AND BELGRADE, Chicago, Illinois 1984-1987

Associate

• Broad range of insurance defense and coverage litigation, including personal injury, products liability, commercial, contracts, libel and privacy, and admiralty and maritime claims

PETERSON & ROSS, Chicago, Illinois 1984

Associate

Medical malpractice and products liability defense, including oversight of trial counsel on behalf of excess carriers

PHELAN, POPE & JOHN, Chicago, Illinois 1980-1984

Associate

• Broad range of insurance defense and coverage litigation, including personal injury, products liability, construction, asbestos, commercial and contracts