Atty. William M. Shernoff (P.C.)
William M. Shernoff is the founding partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP, a law firm specializing in insurance bad faith litigation.
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About William M. Shernoff (P.C.) at a glance
William M. Shernoff (P.C.) is a Partner based in Claremont, California, practicing at Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP. They have 64+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1962. Their practice focuses on insurance. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin (1962) and California (1966). Educated at University of Wisconsin (J.D., 1962) and University of Miami (B.B.A., 1959). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Claremont, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- William M. Shernoff is the founding partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP, a law firm specializing in insurance bad faith litigation
- A longtime consumer advocate, Mr. Shernoff has made a career of representing insurance consumers in their cases against insurance companies
- In 1979, he persuaded the California Supreme Court to establish new case law that permits plaintiffs to sue insurance companies for bad faith seeking both compensatory and punitive damages when they unreasonably handle a policyholder’s claim (Egan v
- Mutual of Omaha)
- Often called the “pioneer” of bad faith law, Mr. Shernoff is a nationally recognized authority in the field with more than 35 years of experience representing individual and business insurance consumers
- A frequent lecturer and writer, Mr. Shernoff co-authored the legal textbook, “Insurance bad Faith Litigation,” which has become the field’s definitive treatise, as well as “How to Make Insurance Companies Pay Your Claims . . .
- And What To Do If They Don’t,” “Payment Refused” and “Fight Back and Win – And How To Make Your HMO Pay Up.” Mr. Shernoff has also been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, and on “60 Minutes.” Mr. Shernoff, who maintains offices in Beverly Hills and Claremont California, has authored over 50 articles on insurance issues and is featured in the Rutter Group Seminar entitled “The Shernoff Insurance Bad Faith Seminar.” Mr. Shernoff is handling lawsuits accusing health insurance carriers of routinely and illegally denying patients’ medical claims on the grounds that such treatments were not medically necessary even when recommended by treating doctors
- He is also involved in fighting on behalf of seniors who have suffered financial elder abuse by insurance companies who are denying legitimate insurance claims of seniors
- Landmark Cases 1974: $5 million punitive damages verdict for a roofer whose disability payments had been cut off (the seminal case that established the bad faith tort against insurers). 1985: $86 million settlement for MGM Grand on insurance case involving hotel fire in Las Vegas hotel. 1995: $86.7 million insurance bad faith verdict (including $57 Million for punitive damages) on behalf of the American-Samoan government against Affiliated FM Insurance Co. involving hurricane damage. 2009: Participated in securing $5 billion settlement of Holocaust Insurance claims
- Verdicts and Settlements 2012: $3.7 million arbitration award to a Kosher food distributor over claims the insurance company illegally refused to pay for damages caused by a fire. 2011: $19 million verdict for paraplegic Marine whose insurance company overruled his treating doctor on the medical necessity of his 109-day hospital stay. 2010: $2 million settlement for a woman who had her health insurance rescinded. 2008: $9 million punitive award to hairdresser who had health policy rescinded. 1997: $5 million insurance bad faith settlement on behalf of Northridge, CA earthquake victims. 1995: $65.75 million insurance settlement for entertainment industry companies in lawsuit over earthquake damage. 1994: $1.5 million bad faith verdict for federal judge over fire loss in his home. 1993: $25 million punitive damages award in insurance fraud case against a carrier that allegedly misrepresented the scope of a health insurance policy and denied benefits to a cancer victim. 1987: $23 million insurance bad faith verdict (including $13 million punitive damages) for the owners of a hotel over the failure of its insurer to settle a personal injury case. 1985: $8 million verdict in a double-indemnity insurance bad faith case involving a disputed life insurance policy provision. 1981: $1 million verdict in punitive damages in an insurance bad faith case involving the disability claims of a truck driver who was denied coverage after being injured when his truck jackknifed. 1981: $50 million insurance settlement for Southern California Physicians group over malpractice insurance program for overcharging on premiums. 1979: $3.7 million settlement over insurance proceeds for stolen jewelry and art. 1976: $4.5 million punitive damages verdict against an insurer who refused to pay a $48 claim for medicine and a hearing test
- Honors and Awards Top 25 Plaintiff Lawyers in California for 2015, 2016 – Los Angeles Daily Journal Loyola Law School Champion of Justice, 2014 American Trial Lawyers Association – Top 100 Lawyers Trial Lawyer of the Year – Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association Trial Lawyers of the Year – Consumer Attorneys of California Trial Lawyer of the Year – Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire Best Lawyers’ 2014 Riverside Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” Super Lawyer – Law & Politics Magazine (2004 – 2017) Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles – Hall of Fame Consumer Watchdog – Lifetime Achievement Award Top 100: 2005 Southern California Super Lawyers Professional Associations and Memberships American Bar Association American Association for Justice Beverly Hills Bar Association (Order of Distinguished Attorneys) Consumer Attorneys of California – Inland Empire Consumer Attorneys of California (Former President) Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles Consumer Watchdog Eastern Bar of Los Angeles Los Angeles County Bar Association Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Areas of Practice Bad Faith Insurance Law Bar Admissions United States District Court, Central Dist. of California United States District Court, Southern Dist. of California United States Court of Appeals Supreme Court of the United States Supreme Court of the State of California Education University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, J.D
- University of Miami, B.B.A
Practice Areas Explained
William M. Shernoff (P.C.)'s Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William M. Shernoff (P.C.) handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
William M. Shernoff (P.C.) is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Claremont are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Claremont or all attorneys in California.
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