Blog
-
To Get the Story You Have to Ask Questions
To Get the Story You Have to Ask Questions
We are all good at telling a story, especially our own story. We are not as good at actively listening to others tell a story. This is true even when we are being paid to listen.
This is why it is important to remember how important it is to listen, which also means asking questions, especially the right questions. What the right questions are depends on the situation.
If it is in a personal setting, you should … Read More
-
Criticize Constructively and Not in Front of Others
Criticize Constructively and Not in Front of Others
I always hope to learn from my mistakes. Similarly, anything I count as a failure in my career has been a great learning experience. There have been moments where I have received constructive criticism, which helped me, because I was open to hearing it. I feel lucky that the people who provided this type of feedback to me, did it in a professional and meaningful way.
They both complimented and criticized me … Read More
-
Arizona Supreme Court Holds Contractual Liability Exclusion Does Not Apply to Breach of Duty to Reasonably Construct Home
Arizona Supreme Court Holds Contractual Liability Exclusion Does Not Apply to Breach of Duty to Reasonably Construct Home
The Holding
In Teufel v. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co., 244 Ariz. 383, 419 P.3d 546 (2018), the Arizona Supreme Court recently held that a Contractual Liability Exclusion in homeowner policies did not apply to a claim for negligent excavation against the Insured, an alleged builder-vendor, because the claim arose from the Insured’s alleged breach of a common law duty to construct a home as a reasonable builder … Read More
Categories: Insurance Litigation, Blog
-
Turn On, Tune In, and Drop Out on Your Vacation: Vacation ≠ Work
Turn On, Tune In, and Drop Out on Your Vacation: Vacation ≠ Work
Do you vacation at least once or twice a year? You should. Your body and brain need a break. Most of us work hard, but are not built to work every single day without some downtime. If you have a family, they may even want to spend some time with you!
I was speaking with another attorney recently who was lamenting about an upcoming vacation with his wife and kids. He was complaining about what he had to get done … Read More
-
Arizona Court of Appeals Holds Multiple Negligent Acts Constitute a Single Occurrence Under CGL Policy
Arizona Court of Appeals Holds Multiple Negligent Acts Constitute a Single Occurrence Under CGL Policy
The Holding
In Cincinnati Indem. Co. v. Southwestern Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program, et al, 2018 WL 2330627 (May 31, 2018), the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld summary judgment granted to an insurer because, under the Policy’s definition of “occurrence” as an “accident,” a single event caused by several independent acts constitutes a single … Read More
Categories: Insurance Litigation, Blog
-
Be Nice
Be Nice
Life seems to be made up of many rules, written and unwritten. Most are a matter of common sense, like just being nice to people you meet and deal with. It sounds so obvious you may be asking yourself why I would spend time even mentioning it. Despite being obvious, I’ll bet someone just came to mind who you dealt with recently and the dealings were unpleasant because the other person just wasn’t nice. … Read More
-
Nate Meyer Presenting on Bad Faith Quandaries that May Arise in Auto Injury Litigation
Nate Meyer Presenting on Bad Faith Quandaries that May Arise in Auto Injury Litigation
Nate’s presentation will focus on potential issues in auto injury litigation cases. He will address Damron, Morris and Helme Agreements; bad faith “set-ups”; attorney fee “set-ups”; and the implied waiver of the attorney client privilege.
What: Bad Faith Quandaries in Auto Injury Litigation
When: June 22, 2018 - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 3220 South 48th … Read More
Categories: Insurance Litigation, Blog
-
Change is an Opportunity
Change is an Opportunity
Recently, I met with an attorney I know. She had switched firms, going back to one she had worked for previously. I was surprised because she seemed happy at her last firm. It turns out she was generally happy, but some colleagues she liked were changing firms and a call came at the right time to get her to consider leaving. She did and does, seems invigorated from the change of scenery.
Now this attorney may be … Read More
-
Perfection Breeds Insanity
Perfection Breeds Insanity
No one is perfect. We hear this all of the time, which is why it has become a cliché. It is true, but many people strive to be perfect. It simply is not possible, and is your idea of perfection the same as mine? I guarantee you it isn’t.
I know an attorney at another firm who is a perfectionist regarding the pleadings researched and drafted. By this I mean the number of times a draft pleading is … Read More
-
Arizona Court of Appeals Holds Anti-Stacking Provision Inapplicable in Policies Issued by "Affiliated Insurers"
Arizona Court of Appeals Holds Anti-Stacking Provision Inapplicable in Policies Issued by "Affiliated Insurers"
The Holding
In Hanfelder v. Geico Indem. Co., WL 2018 WL 2315949 (May 22, 2018), the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment granted to an Insurer because the Policy’s “imprecise” anti-stacking language did not apply to the “Affiliated Insurers”—GEICO Casualty Company and GEICO Indemnity Company.
The Takeaway
If affiliated insurers issue multiple policies to … Read More
Categories: Insurance Litigation, Blog