Orange County Partner Andrew Hollins & Of Counsel Brieanna Dolmage Secure Trial Win

Congratulations to Partner Andrew Hollins and Of Counsel Brieanna Dolmage on their recent trial win.

Hollins and Dolmage were brought on to defend a new insurance company client at trial after their regular coverage/bad faith counsel lost their MSJ/MSA.

In this case, the plaintiffs sought to hold the insurer liable for the insureds’ retention of independent counsel in an underlying CERCLA matter and remove the insurer from the ability to oversee the defense. The plaintiffs’ claimed that the insurer acted in bad faith and forfeited its rights by failing to timely pick up the defense, failing to pay the plaintiffs’ independent counsel’s fees between retained defense counsel’s assignment and association with the CERCLA matter, and failing to pay plaintiffs’ independent counsel under Civil Code section 2860.

By strategically leveraging arguments that had not been made by prior counsel, Hollins and Dolmage convinced the court that their client complied with its duties under the policy, plaintiffs’ breached their duties, and independent counsel is not owed.

Published by
Messner Reeves LLP

Recent Posts

Messner Reeves Arizona & Nevada Teams Collaborate for Case Win

Messner Reeves LLP is pleased to announce a successful team effort between the Arizona and…

2 days ago

14 Messner Reeves Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2026 Edition

Messner Reeves LLP is proud to announce that 12 attorneys across five cities and four…

1 week ago

Messner Reeves Launches Artificial Intelligence Legal Services with Addition of AI Law Leader Beverly Rich

Messner Reeves strengthens capabilities with the hiring of AI attorney and scholar Beverly Rich to…

1 week ago

What Intellectual Property Should Restaurants Protect?

For many restaurant owners, branding and innovation are just as important as quality ingredients and…

2 weeks ago

Messner Reeves Partner Matt Sullivan Named in Top 25 Real Estate and Hospitality Attorneys 2025

Messner Reeves LLP is proud to announce that Partner Matt Sullivan has been named among…

2 weeks ago

COO & Managing Partner Michelle Harden Named Among Forbes Best-in-State Lawyers 2025

Messner Reeves LLP is proud to announce that COO and Managing Partner Michelle Harden has…

2 weeks ago