PRACTICE
Practice is devoted exclusively to consumer cases, with an emphasis in class actions against healthcare insurance companies. Specialization in the California Mental Health Parity Act, the Corporate Medical Practices Act, unlawful premium billing practices, and institutional misconduct by insurance companies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Extensive legal and corporate experience in all aspects of litigation including high exposure multi-state class actions. Ten years in house at The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, including five years in Class Action Department. Served as expert/company witness in role of Assistant Corporate Secretary in deposition and at trial regarding corporate structure, parent/subsidiary/affiliate relationships, and their respective responsibilities. Oversight of regulatory actions including Market Conduct Examinations, Complaints, Premium Surveys, Data Calls and Enforcement Actions. Acted as Executive Liaison to external regulators and elected officials, and Internal Liaison to Compliance and Government Affairs Departments. Currently specializing in class actions against insurance companies.
EDUCATION
J.D. 1984 — Southwestern University School of Law
A.B. May 1981 — Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Psychology
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND HONORS
Member, The Kennedy Forum, Legal Task Force, 2014 — present
Director, National Alliance for Mental Illness (“NAMI”), Westside Los Angeles, 2014 — 2016
Chair, Governance Committee, National Alliance for Mental Illness (“NAMI”), Westside Los Angeles, 2014 – 2016
Member, Board of Governors, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (“CAALA”), 2013 — present
Vice Chair Government Relations Committee, CAALA, 2012 — 2014
Co-Chair Wellness Committee, CAALA, 2019 — present
Finalist, Consumer Attorneys of California, Finalist for “Street Fighter of the Year,” 2013, “Making an insurer change a policy harmful to the mentally ill”
Finalist, Consumer Attorneys of California Women’s Caucus, 2011 Woman Consumer Advocate of the Year, for advocacy of Senate Bill 100 which extended regulatory oversight to private surgery centers
Farmers Insurance Group Compliance Award, September 2009
Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women
National Association of Professional Women