Deeply involved in Californian insurance matters, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP specializes in class action and bad faith defense, and is also well-versed in handling coverage disputes across numerous lines of insurance, from personal liability, E&O and D&O, to toxic torts, life, and auto insurance litigation. The works under the stewardship of Orange County-based property and casualty expert Jeffrey Crowe , San Diego-based insurance trial lawyer Peter Klee , and Theona Zhordania, who maintains a diverse practice from the Los Angeles office. Other integral group members include San Diego-based John Edson and Charles Danaher , who both focus on bad faith and unfair competition litigation, with Edson also engaging in fraud and bankruptcy matters. In Orange County, Marc Feldman assists carriers in disputes stemming from first and third-party claims, bad faith, class actions, and claims under California’s Business and Professions Code.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Outstanding work quality, exceptional briefs, and oral advocacy. They are excellent at issue-spotting and applying the relevant, often dispositive, case law.'
‘I turn to Sheppard Mullin's insurance practice group to handle the company's high-stakes matters. Klee and his team are top-notch and well-recognized in the industry for their expertise, credibility, integrity, and gravitas.’
‘Klee and his team have the expertise, experience, and practical know-how to handle the toughest legal matters. They are efficient and practical.’
Key clients
- Continental Casualty Company
- Wawanesa General Insurance Company
- Infinity Insurance Company
- Kemper Insurance Company
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan
- Liberty Mutual
- Residential Mutual Insurance Company
- Ohio Casualty Insurance Company
Work highlights
Obtained summary judgment in favor of Continental Casualty Co. in a bad faith lawsuit filed in the Arizona federal district court.
Obtained the dismissal of a class action alleging that Wawanesa failed to pay for diminution of value damages to the plaintiffs’ automobiles.
Acted as lead trial counsel for Infinity in a coverage case regarding California’s Motor Carrier of Property Permit Act.
Lawyers
Practice head
Jeffrey Crowe; Peter Klee; Theona Zhordania
Other key lawyers
John Edson; Charles Danaher; Marc Feldman