Dan Veroff | Claims Journal It’s been more than a year since the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles, and attorneys who work in first‑party property claims are still seeing a steady rise in disputes. That trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon—these claims will continue moving from adjusters’ desks into legal disputes for at… Continue reading Claims Handling Breakdowns From LA Wildfires One Year on
Insurance Appraisal Protocols Under the Microscope: Why Execution Still Matters
Advise & Consult There has long been debate in the insurance world over whether detailed appraisal memoranda and protocols help or hinder the appraisal process. Some argue these documents preserve the integrity of appraisals and reduce disputes. Others believe they invite post-appraisal litigation. A recent federal court decision offers an important reminder that, regardless of… Continue reading Insurance Appraisal Protocols Under the Microscope: Why Execution Still Matters
Court Appointment of an Umpire – Your Guess is as Good as Mine
Advise & Consult One of the most entertaining—and frustrating—aspects of property insurance litigation is trying to predict what a judge will do, there is often far less predictability than lawyers would like. When it comes to umpire selection, judges frequently rely on instinct rather than any clear formula. Sometimes they appoint someone they know and… Continue reading Court Appointment of an Umpire – Your Guess is as Good as Mine
Who Picks the Arbitrator — You or the Algorithm?
Giuseppe De Palo and Annie Lespérance | JAMS When artificial intelligence enters the process of arbitrator selection, the question it raises is often framed as technical. In reality, it is structural. At stake is not simply how arbitrators are identified or ranked, but how arbitral authority itself is constituted — and whether the mechanisms that… Continue reading Who Picks the Arbitrator — You or the Algorithm?
‘Nation’s First’ Smoke Damage Standards Bill Wending Through California Legislature
Insurance Journal A bill to create a statewide framework for handling wildfire smoke damage insurance claims is now making its way through California Legislature. The Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which primary backer Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said stems from the recovery process after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and smoke damage claims, is authored… Continue reading ‘Nation’s First’ Smoke Damage Standards Bill Wending Through California Legislature