Michael Brisbin Email & Phone Number

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

Litigate large life and disability cases including evaluate and handle first party bad faith cases with significant punitive damage exposure; litigate suits governed by ERISA; practice venued mainly in Federal Court. 1st Chair ERISA bench trial, USDC, Central District, Minassian v. US Life Insurance Company 1st Chair Breach of Contract trial, LA Superior Court, Bosetti v. US Life Insurance Company; 1st Chair Breach of Contract & punitive damage trial, Orange Co. Sup. Ct., Bisogno v. Am. Gen. Two appeals 175 Cal.App. 4th 1208 (2009); Second not published B229979 2/9/12 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals - Oral Argument - 12/112023 - Atanuspour v. Reliance Standard - 9th Circuit affirmed District Court's verdict in favor of Reliance StandardLarge commercial general liability cases: Evaluate and handle CGL claims and lawsuits with significant damage exposure; litigate from inception through trial, mainly in State CourtAssess, and investigate all aspects of litigation files; recommend strategy and action plans.Direct, prepare, and evaluate all discovery and analyze its impact on settlement & resolution. Notice, take, and complete all party, witness, doctor and expert depositions.Evaluate all dispositive issues, including whether to file rescission actions for misrepresentation. Prepare summary judgment, other motions, and appellate briefs; handle oral argument.Consistent and timely client communications for mediation, settlement, and final pre-trial conferences.

San Francisco, California

Handled complex litigation including error and omission claims; misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty cases, including the resolution of a $28 million embezzlement lawsuit. Analyzed and assessed all files with initial recommendations for course of action.Directed, prepared, and evaluated all initial and subsequent discovery.Continuously evaluated dispositive issues with recommendations for further handling, or resolution.Prepared motions for summary judgment, oppositions thereto, and motions to compel & quash.Constant communication with clients in analyzing cases for arbitration, mediation, or trial. Completed case statements, trial briefs, and motions in limine, voir dire, witness and exhibit lists.Worked with Senior Partners and Paralegals on discovery, and trial strategies.Mentored new Associate on initial and subsequent handling of litigation files, including trial prep.

San Francisco, California

Insurance defense: 1st chair 23 jury trials (21 to verdict) in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa County Superior Courts; created trial briefs, MIL, voir dire, witness & exhibit lists.Arbitrated over 200 cases; participated in more than 25 mediations..Completed over 250 party and witness depositions; prepared all necessary discovery.Retained and deposed 100 experts, including doctors, accident reconstructionists and economists.Performed extensive oral and written advocacy including opening statements, closing arguments, direct examinations, cross examinations, arbitration briefs, mediation statements, law and motion.Continuously consulted clients to strategize for mediations and trials.

San Francisco, California

See above description under Smith, Walsh & Brisbin.

Juris Doctorate, Law

Activities and Societies: Student Bar Association President two years during Law School

Bachelor Of Arts, Government And Religious Studies

Activities and Societies: Student Government; Student Body President Senior Year; Sophomore Class President and Junior Class President