Shernoff Bidart & Darras LLP
Profile
Shernoff Bidart & Darras LLP is dedicated to representing policyholders who face Goliath-sized insurance companies. “We set the standard for helping individuals or businesses collect on claims when a company refuses to pay a legitimate claim,” says William Shernoff.
Shernoff set that standard in 1979 when the California Supreme Court handed down a record-setting punitive damage award for his client in Egan v Mutual of Omaha. The landmark decision established the foundation for all bad faith insurance cases and leveled the playing field for mistreated policyholders.
For 30 years, the Claremont firm has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge applications of the bad faith doctrine. This year, the firm celebrates the listing of four of its attorneys in Southern California Super Lawyers®.
WILLIAM SHERNOFF has pioneered the evolution of bad faith law. His victories include an $86 million insurance settlement related to a fire at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel, and a $100 million jury verdict for the American Samoa Government over hurricane claims. Shernoff has also achieved precedent-setting victories against Holocaust-era life insurance companies valued at over $5 billion and recently litigated major victories over health insurance companies for canceling policies.
MICHAEL BIDART leads the firm’s HMO litigation and property/casualty departments. His accomplishments include a $121 million jury verdict against Aetna, the largest jury verdict ever rendered against an HMO. The Los Angeles Daily Journal, a prominent legal publication, recognized Bidart as one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in California.” He was also named to the Top 100 list in Southern California Super Lawyers.
FRANK DARRAS manages the firm’s disability and long-term care department, the largest in the United States. His diverse client list ranges from sports figures and business professionals to pro bono clients. He is a member of the Ten Million Dollar Rainmaker Circle, a distinction given to attorneys who generate more than $10 million in annual legal fees.
RICARDO ECHEVERRIA handles liability, property and HMO cases. His distinguished trial record includes a $7.2 million jury verdict in Minnesota Federal Court, a $5.1 million jury verdict for 2003 wildfire victims and a $1.8 million jury verdict for a computer software developer. He was nominated for the CAALA Trial Lawyer of the Year award in 2006 and 2007, and was a finalist for the CAOC Consumer Attorney of the Year award in 2007.
Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Rising Stars names the state's top up-and-coming attorneys.
Super Lawyers magazine is published in all 50 states and reaches more than 13 million readers.
Selected attorneys
on superlawyers.com
"My Platinum profile ad has definitely paid off! My law firm is a boutique five-attorney law firm in San Francisco that had never advertised prior to this, except in Martindale-Hubbel. We have been a traditional insurance defense firm, and wanted to subtly let people know that we also do select plaintiff's cases. In the last quarter of 2006, we were retained in three significant plaintiff's cases, two of which are high-profile media cases. I also placed an ad in the Super Lawyers section of San Francisco magazine, to reach non- lawyers. Now, people at the gym, the coffee shop, the drycleaners tell me they had no idea what I do, and they will come to me when they need a lawyer. So, the ad also worked to reach non-lawyers in the community as well."
Debra Bogaards
Pave & Bogaards
San Francisco
“We are honored to be included, and delighted with the reaction (to our advertising) we have received from our colleagues and clients.”
Andrew R. Gillin
Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis and Larsen
Orinda, CA
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