• Representing policyholders in coverage disputes
• Representing insurers in coverage disputes
• Construction disputes
• Professional liability disputes
• Corporation and partnership disputes
• Miscellaneous disputes
• Insurance claims handling expert retention

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Discovered flaw in law firm client's malpractice policy language that compelled the insurer to reverse its denial of all coverage for a discrimination and defamation suit, resulting in the insurer's payment of over $1 million to defend suit.

Represented law firm client in binding arbitration against its malpractice insurer seeking a reversal of the insurer's denial of all coverage for a suit against the firm based on the policy's business enterprise exclusion. Arbitrator ruled that the exclusion in question did not apply to at least some of the asserted claims, imposing on the insurer a duty to pay for the insured law firm's more than $1 million cost of defense.

Represented general contractor in suit against a builder's risk insurer that denied all coverage for a water and mold damage claim. Obtained the insurer's payment of the costs to repair the water and mold damages after the Court granted partial summary judgment holding that a mold exclusion did not allow insurer to deny all coverage.

Represented property manager in suit against its E & O insurer regarding insurer's obligation to defend suit asserting alleged property management errors. The Court granted partial summary judgment rejecting the insurer's attempt to deny coverage based on a prior litigation exclusion.

Obtained favorable settlements of more than 10 suits or claims by policyholders seeking the reversal of their disability insurers' denial of their total or partial disability claims.

Obtained favorable settlement of insured law firm's suit against its malpractice insurer that had denied all coverage for suit that included at least one potentially covered claim.

Obtained favorable settlement of a mortgage broker's suit against its E&O insurer that had refused to pay any portion of seven-figure underlying judgment against the mortgage broker.

Obtained for insured bar owner a reversal of his general liability insurer's denial of all coverage for a customer's suit claiming injuries arising from a bar fight.

Represented condominium association client in its successful 9th Circuit appeal that obtained the reversal of trial court's ruling upholding a general liability insurer's denial of all coverage for a property damages claim against the association.

Represented insured saw blade manufacturer in suit against general liability insurer to obtain coverage for an underlying TCPA class action suit, resulting in summary adjudication in the policyholder's favor.

Obtained favorable settlement of property developer's federal court suit against its D&O insurer seeking coverage for general contractor's suit against the policyholder.

Successfully resolved dispute between commercial landlord client and its general liability insurer over responsibility for the costs to defend and settle suit by former tenant asserting mostly non-covered claims.

Obtained reversal of insurer's denial of coverage for client under a travel insurance policy.

Achieved multi-million dollar settlement of concert operator's suit against its insurer that had denied all coverage, under a terrorism coverage endorsement, for the costs of a concert cancellation caused by the Mumbai, India terrorist attack.

Obtained for policyholder reversal of E&O insurer's denial of a defense against Medicare fraud criminal charges.

Obtained partial summary judgment in California superior court reversing homeowner's insurer's denial of all coverage for water-caused soil subsidence damage.

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Represented multiple insurers in California Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court against multiple insured company's claims for coverage for thousands of asbestos injury suits.

Represented D&O insurer against policyholder's suit seeking a defense against SEC suit.

Represented insurer in insured school district's suit demanding coverage for multiple child abuse claims against former teachers of the insured school district.

Represented insurer in federal court against insured company's claim for coverage for lead pollution injuries.

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Successfully represented general contractor client in litigation against large condominium developer over responsibility for alleged cost overruns in two projects, achieving substantial six-figure recoveries for client in both matters.

Obtained favorable settlement of general contractor client's breach of contract suit against owner/developer of assisted living facility.

Obtained successful settlement of hotel developer client's suit against surety of general contractor that failed to perform construction contract.

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Obtained favorable settlement of property developer's malpractice suit against structural engineer for the engineer's defective work on mixed-use podium design construction project.

Obtained favorable settlement of client's malpractice suit against law firm that mishandled the recordation of a second deed of trust.

Obtained favorable settlement of limited partnership client's malpractice suit against law firm that improperly represented client regarding its investment in sand & gravel business.

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Defended LLC member in suit regarding disputed distribution of the proceeds of the LLC's sale of its investment property.

Defended closely held corporation shareholder in dispute over corporation's alleged obligation to indemnify other shareholder.

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Obtained arbitration judgment for law firm client against claim by a former associate of the firm asserting firm was required to indemnify him from a suit arising from his involvement in a business enterprise that was not a firm client.

Obtained favorable resolution of boundary dispute and trespass claims between two commercial property owners.

Obtained favorable resolution of boundary dispute and trespass claims between two residential property owners.

Defended to conclusion two California superior court "palimony" suits.

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Mr. Ellis has testified in court and in deposition as an insurance law and claims handling expert on numerous occasions including as an expert regarding:

The standard of care for an insurer's handling of a legal malpractice coverage claim;

The standard of care for an insurer's handling of a medical malpractice coverage claim;

The standard of care for an insurer's handling of a jewelry theft claim;

Insurance coverage for building defect claims asserted against an insured contractor; and

An insurer's obligation to pay for independent defense (Cumis) counsel.