First Admitted: 1987, California

Professional Webpage: http://www.cochranlaw1.com/index.php

Bar/Professional Activity:

Los Angeles County (Member, Sections on Insurance, Property, Entertainment and Professional Liability) and American Bar Associations; State Bar of California, Member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Claims Litigation Management Alliance, Women in Claims and The State Bar of California.

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Successfully litigated, tried and/or arbitrated numerous construction defect cases on behalf of developers, subcontractors and general contractors;Recently won several motions for summary judgment on behalf of employers and won a jury trial on a recent employment case;Recently successfully resolved bad faith case against insurer after winning a motion for summary adjudication of issues;Won several broker errors and omissions cases on summary judgment;Recently won a motion for summary adjudication of issues that led to the successful resolution of a legal malpractice case;Won several jury trials in the areas of construction defect, business litigation, employment and insurance;Won numerous appeals to the state, federal and Supreme Court both published and unpublished which include: Sentinel Community Bank v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyds London (1999), Appellate court affirmed summary judgment motion finding no duty to defend the insured under the terms of the policy based upon the coverage grant and exclusions.Gomes v. Far East and Certain Underwriters at Lloyds London (1999), Appellate Court upheld rescission based upon the failure of the insured to disclose material facts in the policy application.River City Rentals v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyds London, (2000) Appellate Court affirmed summary judgment motion to exclude coverage based upon the failure of the insured to disclose material facts in the policy application.In re National Environmental Waste Corp., 200 F.3d 1266, (9th Cir.(Cal.) Jan 19, 2000), Ninth Circuit ruled that the statute of limitations was extended for a corporation in bankruptcy reorganization when recovery of the claim would substantially benefit the creditors of the estate, even though the claim was not explicitly specified in the plan of reorganization.Rappleya v. Campbell (1994) The California Supreme Court overruled the decision of both the appellate court and the trial court and stated that under extenuating circumstances a defendant may be provided more than 6 months to set aside a default judgment.Ford v. Miller Meat Co.28 Cal.App4th 1196 (1994) , products liability case found in favor of the supermarket regarding foreign object found in meat.Alan C. Gon vs. First State, 871 F2d 863 (1988)-First California case pre-Buss to hold that the insurer has the right to apportion defense costs between covered and uncovered claims.Butler v. City of Palos Verdes Estates, 135 Cal. App. 4th 174 (2005). Amicus Curiae brief on behalf of Friends of the Peacock. Appellate Court reversed trial court's decision that interpreted deed restrictions to prevent City of Palos Verdes Estates' ability to control feral peafowl population. Appellate Court overruled trial court's decision, and ruled that the restrictions did permit City of Palos Verdes Estates to manage the feral peafowl.

Pro bono/Community Service:

For the past 12 years, the firm sponsor 18 children from third world countries through World Vision and Children's International. Also, for the past four years, the firm has sponsored and supported the building of schools in Afghanistan for girls and wormen through Julia Bolz who founded Journey with an Afghan School and is now part of Ayni Education International promoting women's rights in third world countries.

Industry Groups:

Contractors
Employers
Health Care
Insurance Brokers
Insurance Companies
Real Estate Brokers

Joan Cochran