California Design Professionals’ Indemnity Obligations Limited Under 2018 Contracts

Ryan W. Young | Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP | June 22, 2018 The California Legislature has narrowed the scope of enforceable indemnity agreements applicable to licensed architects, engineers, and land surveyors through its amendment of Civil Code § 2782.8. This represents an important development in the allocation of risk in the construction community, since Section… Continue reading California Design Professionals’ Indemnity Obligations Limited Under 2018 Contracts

California Supreme Court Rules Broadly in Favor of Insureds

David E. Weiss and Kerry Roberson | ReedSmith | June 11, 2018 On Monday, June 4, 2018, the California Supreme Court ruled that an insurance company must provide liability coverage to its corporate insured against claims of negligent hiring, retention, and supervision of its employee, who allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old child. The case is Liberty… Continue reading California Supreme Court Rules Broadly in Favor of Insureds

Enforcing A Mechanic’s Lien In California? Don’t Waive Your Right To Arbitrate The Dispute

Jeffrey N. Brown | Thompson Coburn LLP | June 13, 2018 On June 6, 2018, the California Court of Appeal held that a contractor waived its right to arbitrate disputes because it recorded a mechanic’s lien and then didn’t follow California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281.5 in its subsequent lawsuit to foreclose on the… Continue reading Enforcing A Mechanic’s Lien In California? Don’t Waive Your Right To Arbitrate The Dispute

California Supreme Court Rights the “Occurrence” Ship: Unintended Harm Resulting from Intentional Conduct Triggers Coverage Under Liability Insurance Policy

Scott S. Thomas | Payne & Fears | June 6, 2018 SUMMARY In a ruling that bodes well for policyholders, the California Supreme Court provides much-needed clarity on the question of when a so-called “intentional act” may give rise to insurance coverage under a liability insurance policy. In Liberty Surplus Insurance Corp. v. Ledesma & Meyer… Continue reading California Supreme Court Rights the “Occurrence” Ship: Unintended Harm Resulting from Intentional Conduct Triggers Coverage Under Liability Insurance Policy

Enforcing a Mechanic’s Lien in California? Don’t Waive Your Right to Arbitrate the Dispute

Jeff Brown | Thompson Coburn LLP | June 12, 2018 On June 6, 2018, the California Court of Appeal held that a contractor waived its right to arbitrate disputes because it recorded a mechanic’s lien and then didn’t follow California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281.5 in its subsequent lawsuit to foreclose on the lien.… Continue reading Enforcing a Mechanic’s Lien in California? Don’t Waive Your Right to Arbitrate the Dispute