Insurance Law

GMSR has a long history of representing insurance carriers on a wide range of issues, including first- and third-party coverage, excess insurance, contribution and allocation claims, as well as bad faith liability issues, such as Brandt fee questions and punitive damages.  GMSR’s appellate lawyers regularly use this experience to assist clients in all facets of the appellate process.  The firm also counsels both carriers and policyholders regarding their potential liabilities and rights.

Court of Appeal holds that GMSR’s landlord clients had no duty to inspect tenants’ unit for dangerous bombmaking activities

Garcia v. Holt (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 600 (California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One) [published]. GMSR’s landlord clients rented their single family home to a couple month to month. The landlords had no reason to suspect that one of the tenants was manufacturing

21st Century Insurance Co. v. Superior Court (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 322

Plaintiff was injured in an auto accident. He sued the insured. The carrier, GMSR’s client, defended under a $100,000 limits policy. The plaintiff and the insured claimed that two other policies with $25,000 limits each also provided coverage. The plaintiff refused the carrier’s offer of

GMSR obtains writ directing summary judgment in favor of insurer on bad faith claim

21st Century Ins. Co. v. Superior Court (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 322 (California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two) [published]. Plaintiff was injured in an auto accident. He sued the insured. The carrier, GMSR’s client, defended under a $100,000 limits policy. The plaintiff and

Farmers Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 1199

Court of Appeal holds that motor vehicle exclusion in a homeowners insurance policy applies to negligent supervision of a child killed by the family vehicle

Court of Appeal holds that motor vehicle exclusion in a homeowners insurance policy applies to negligent supervision of a child killed by the family vehicle

Farmers Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (Bautista) (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 1199 (California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Seven) [published]. Despite tragic facts, the Court of Appeal issued a writ of mandate, holding that GMSR’s insurance-carrier client owed no coverage under a homeowners insurance

Adamo v. Fire Insurance Exchange (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 1286

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s insurance carrier client in a coverage dispute involving “other structures.”

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s insurance carrier client in a coverage dispute involving “other structures”

Adamo v. Fire Insurance Exchange (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 1286 (California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One) [published]. When San Diego wildfires damaged landscaping on a homeowner’s property and several detached outbuildings, GMSR’s insurance-carrier client reimbursed the homeowner’s losses in excess of $100,000, exhausting

Truck Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (July 31, 2013, A137420) 2013 WL 3984597 [nonpublished opinion]

GMSR obtains writ of mandate preventing disclosure of attorney-client privileged documents and communications

GMSR obtains writ of mandate preventing disclosure of attorney-client privileged documents and communications

Truck Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (Golden State Developers, Inc.) (2013) 2013 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 5487 (California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division One) [unpublished]. In an insurance coverage dispute, the trial court, purporting to apply the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege, ordered

Brown v. Mid-Century Insurance Co. (2013) 215 Cal.App.4th 841

Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment for GMSR’s client, rejecting insurance coverage of slow, continuous water leak

Who We Serve

PUBLIC ENTITIES

Whether on appeal, assisting trial counsel, or advising government officials contemplating legislative action, GMSR provides unique insight into the complex laws that impact public entities.

Read More
INSURERS

Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.

Read More
BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.

Read More
TRIAL COUNSEL

The firm’s lawyers are team players, collaborating with trial counsel at any level from legal strategy to writing or editing trial court motions and appellate briefs.

Read More
INDIVIDUALS

GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.

Read More
COMMUNITY PRO BONO

As part of GMSR’s long-standing commitment to social justice and equality, GMSR provides pro bono appellate services to individuals and to community organizations on issues of concern.

Read More