Education

• J.D., Loyola Law School, 1996
• B.A., University of California at Los Angeles, 1993

Admitted

• California 1996

Work History

• Partner- Daniels, Fine, Israel, Schonbuch & Lebovits, LLP (2003 to present);
• Associate – Daniels, Baratta & Fine (1996 to 2003).

Memberships, Awards & Honors

• Federation of Defense Foundation & Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
• State Bar of California
• Los Angeles Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Center for Law & Justice
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
• Super Lawyers Southern California “Rising Stars” in 2011, and added to the “Super Lawyers” list in 2012 – 2022
• Firm was identified as one of Los Angeles’ “Go-To” Litigation Firms in Corporate Counsel Magazine in 2009
• Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent – Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards Reflecting the confidential opinion of members of the Bar and Judiciary 2019 – 2022

Areas of Practice:

Civil litigation, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith, Construction and Business Litigation.

Summary:

Over the past twenty-six (26) years, Maureen’s practice has focused on insurance coverage and bad faith, as well as construction and business litigation. Maureen also serves our insurance clients by advising them how to properly handle large loss excess exposure claims nationwide while claims are pending, to avoid and/or mitigate subsequent bad faith exposure. Maureen’s law and motion and negotiation skills frequently lead to early resolution of complex matters by way of dispositive motion or favorable settlements. In addition to her consistent representation of our carrier clients, Maureen represents a variety of private clients. For example, in 2021, she tried a case for a film financing company which sued its former sales agent, that resulted in a multi-million-dollar judgment in our client’s favor. In 2022, she tried a misappropriation of trade secret and employment case for celebrity dentist, William M. Dorfman, D.D.S. that resulted in a verdict in his favor on his misappropriation complaint and defense verdict in his favor on his former employee’s wrongful termination and discrimination cross-complaint.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Maureen worked for a construction company on a variety of projects. Her construction experience and business acumen enable her to better serve our clients in construction-related insurance disputes and litigation.

Cases & Articles

• • Waters v. USAA (1996) 41 Cal.App.4th 1063
  • Ouimet v. USAA Cas. Ins. Co. (9th Cir. 2003) 56 Fed. Appx. 394
  • Hammer v. USAA Casualty Ins. Co., 2004 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 6156
  • Hartwell Corp. v. Superior Court (2002) 27 Cal.4th 256
  • R. L. H. v. United Services Auto. Ass’n (9th Cir. 2009) 327 Fed. Appx. 714
  • Du v. Deerbrook (9th Cir. 2012) 697 F.3d 753 (amicus)
  • Defending an Insurance Bad Faith Case: Tips from the Other Side (2003)
  • Defending A Bad Faith Case: Keeping the Exposure Under Control (2010)

Maureen also guides and counsels her carrier clients on how to avoid bad faith exposure through her training seminars for claims professionals, such as that delivered to USAA adjusters in 2022 entitled, Tik Tock For Claims Professionals: How to Navigate Time Limit Demands to Keep the Lid on the Policy.