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Stefan C. Love

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Biography

Stefan C. Love has briefed and argued cases in California’s Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal as well as in the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Like most appellate litigators, Stefan is a subject area generalist whose true specialty is appellate practice itself.  The issues in his cases have included contract law, family law, securities fraud, constitutional law, and more.  Many of his recent wins have involved disputes over insurance coverage.  For insurance clients, Stefan secured a series of wins establishing that pandemic-related business losses were not covered by property insurance.  On the policyholder side, Stefan obtained a Ninth Circuit reversal that allowed GMSR’s bank client to proceed with a $15 million coverage claim against its forgery insurer.

In addition to his work for clients, Stefan joins GMSR partner David Hackett each winter to present a “year in review” summary of notable civil appellate decisions to members of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC).

After graduating first in his class from the UCLA School of Law, Stefan worked at a BigLaw firm and clerked for Judge Paul J. Watford at the Ninth Circuit.

Before going to law school, Stefan was a professor of music theory, most recently at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  He has yet to encounter a legal issue more arcane than the dustier corners of music theory.

Outside of work, Stefan enjoys playing the piano, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

High-Impact Wins

2023

Endeavor Operating Company, LLC v. HDI Global Insurance Company (2023) 96 Cal.App.5th 420

Affirmed that COVID-19-related business losses are not covered by commercial property insurance

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2023

Starlight Cinemas, Inc. v. Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company (2023) 91 Cal.App.5th 24

Affirmed dismissal of movie theater’s property insurance claim for pandemic-related business losses

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2022

Banc of California National Association v. Federal Insurance Company (9th Cir. Dec. 12, 2022, No. 21-56179) 2022 WL 17583056

Reversed defense summary judgment and allowed bank to proceed with $15 million insurance coverage claim arising from loan to customer who forged key document

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2022

Tufeld Corporation v. Beverly Hills Gateway, L.P. (2022) 86 Cal.App.5th 12

Affirmed validity of prime Beverly Hills commercial lease through 2102

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Speaking and Involvement

2024
"Year in Review" – Case Highlights of 2023, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel Annual Seminar
2022
Writs 101: Administrative, Criminal, and Civil Writ Petitions to the Court of Appeal, California Lawyers Association
2022
In Case You Missed It: Civil Law Highlights From The Past Year, Beverly Hills Bar Association

Professional Associations

Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC)
Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)