Rick has an impressive track record, winning cases in both state and federal courts, as well as on appeal. Among his most significant recent victories:
- Montoya v. Phillips 66, Contra Costa County Superior Court. Won summary judgment on behalf of refinery. (Decided Feb. 7, 2023.)
- THE PEOPLE ex rel. GILBERT ELLINGER, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. STEPHANIE ANN MAGILL et al., Defendants and Respondents. Prevailed in a published decision by the Fourth District Court of Appeal of California, which held that insurers and claims administrators are not within the class of potential defendants under California’s Insurance Frauds Prevention Act. (Published April 11, 2022.)
- AARON KAUFMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY; CHUBB NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendants-Appellees. Won an appeal in an insurance coverage/bad faith lawsuit before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal involved declined coverage in a case where the insured argued there was at least the potential for a defamation claim triggering the insurer’s duty to defend. (Decided June 19, 2020.)
Beyond his legal prowess, Rick is a sought-after speaker, frequently leading seminars on relevant insurance coverage topics and developments. Among his recent presentations:
- “CCP 999 Pre-Suit Settlement Demands” and “Insurance Updates in Construction Litigation,” given in February and March 2023 to a group of insurer clients.
- “New Developments in California Coverage and Construction Law,” given to the Orange County Bar Association’s Insurance and Construction Sections in April 2018.
- “California Requirements on Maintaining Insurance Claims Files,” given to an insurer client in 2019.
The subjects of Rick’s other talks run the gamut from “Priority of Coverage Among Multiple Insurance Policies” to “Managing Risks and Risk Transfers” and “Indemnity 101 in Construction Contracts.” He also delivered a case study on “Evaluating Coverage for Defamation under Personal and Advertising Injury.”
Rick earned his J.D. Magna Cum Laude from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University at Albany, SUNY.
In addition to sharing his legal wisdom with clients and colleagues, Rick generously gives back to his community. He is actively involved in the National Muscular Sclerosis Society and the Boys and Girls Club of Southern California. During his leisure time, Rick enjoys strumming his guitar or exploring the marine life of the Southern California coast as a certified scuba diver.
Memberships
- California State Bar (Litigation, Labor and Employment law and Business law sections)
- New York State Bar (Products Liability, Torts and Insurance, Trial Lawyers sections)
- Los Angeles County Bar Association (Litigation, Labor and Employment law and Business law sections)
- Orange County Bar Association (Insurance law, Construction law and Product Liability sections)
- 2019 Chair of the Orange County Bar Association, Insurance Section
- 2018 Chair Elect of the Orange County Bar Association, Insurance Section
- 2017 Secretary of the Orange County Bar Association, Insurance Section