The folks at the law offices of Low Ball & Lynch held their annual Sacramento Legal Seminar on the heals of the 2011 Western Regional PLRB Thursday, November 10, 2011, at the Sacramento Hilton Hotel. Held in conjunction with the Sacramento Claims Association for the first time in quite a few years, the afternoon seminar included some heavy hitters in their line-up of session speakers. In addition to partners and associates from the firm, speakers included California Deputy Attorney General Peter Meshot, and Deputy Insurance Commissioner Geoffrey Margolis.
LBL Partner Steve Werth moderated the day’s event. The afternoon seminar began with a California law update by LBL associates Mike Beuselink, Punam Kumar and James Regan, in which the team highlighted the recent California Supreme Court Howell and Seabright decisions.

Mr. Werth then introduced Dep. Attorney General Meshot, who joined LBL partner Joseph Fenech and associate James Regan in discussing the significant ways in which the COITO case may affect “work product doctrine”. The case is currently pending review by the California Supreme Court. If affirmed by the Supreme Court, this decision could effectively remove attorney/client privilege, making all communications fair game in discovery. This could drastically affect communications between lawyers and their clients, and adjusters with insureds/claimants.

LBL partner David Blinn provided an insurance coverage update, detailing recent significant cases. One case, State Farm General Insurance v. JT’s Frames, Inc., (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 429, dealt with damages from an extreme level of “fax blasting”. The courts ultimately found that, while getting spammed with some 74,000 junk faxes was exceedingly annoying, “claims against insured are not covered as advertising injury or property damage”.

Ultimately, the afternoon belonged to Deputy California Insurance Commissioner Geoffrey Margolis. A longtime supporter of current CDI Commissioner Dave Jones, Mr. Margolis has much to share about the priorities of the current administration, and clearly proud to serve under Jones, and the work they have accomplished thus far.

“The insurance industry represents ten percent of the California economy,” he stated. While that includes Life and Health insurance, the Property & Casualty industry remains significant.

He discussed several bills in the California legislature, including AB 140, that “would give the commissioner much more authority over healthcare providers.” Good news for stymied rate payers.

Protecting seniors in California is also a big priority. AB 793 is designed to make sure that reverse mortgages and annuities are not sold concurrently. “It’s virtually impossible not to lose money (if/when this is allowed),” he explained.

The well-attended seminar was also produced as a live webinar, which was linked at the Sacramento Claims Association meeting across town. A hosted cocktail reception followed.