Strategies, Challenges, and Answers

Nevada Joins Club Cumis

In State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Hansen, 131 Nev. 743, 357 P.3d 338 (2015) the Nevada Supreme Court adopted the independent counsel model outlined by the California Court of Appeals in San Diego Federal Credit Union v. Cumis Ins. Society, Inc., 208 Cal. Rptr. 494, 506 (Ct. App. 1984), superseded by statute as stated in United Enters., Inc. v. Superior Court, 108 Cal. Rptr. 3d 25 (App 2010). In its opinion issued on September 24, 2015, the Nevada Supreme Court said that an insurance company … [Read more...]

Las Vegas Defense Lawyers adds Aileen Cohen to Board

At Bauman Loewe Witt & Maxwell we are pleased to announce that Las Vegas Defense Lawyers (LVDL) members elected Aileen E. Cohen, Esq. to its Board of Directors.  The election took place at the Fifth Annual LVDL Dinner on March 30, 2017. Aileen will be working on LVDL advocacy efforts in support of the civil litigation defense bar before the Nevada Legislature in addition to other ongoing projects to promote LVDL objectives. Las Vegas Defense Lawyers is an organization of attorneys … [Read more...]

Oral Arguments Re: Nevada Independent Counsel Leave Many Questions Unanswered

On May 5, 2015, the parties made their final arguments to the Nevada Supreme Court on the issues of independent counsel in Nevada.  State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Hansen, Nevada Supreme Court Case No. 64484.  Neither attorney strayed far from his script.  The justices asked only a few questions leaving us to guess at what the final decision may be. State Farm’s attorney acknowledged that since insurance panel counsel represents both the insured and the insurance company that conflicts can … [Read more...]

Collateral Source Is Still Good Law Despite Tri-County Equipment Decision

Following the California case of Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc., 52 Cal. 4th 541, 257 P.3d 81, 128 CalRptr. 3d 658 (2011), the Nevada Law Blogs began wondering if Nevada would follow California’s lead and prohibit Plaintiff’s attorneys from introducing evidence of any medical bills that had been partially or totally forgiven by Plaintiff’s medical provider.  Then came the Nevada case of Tri–County Equip. & Leasing, LLC v. Klinke, 128 Nev. Adv. Op. 33, 286 P.3d 593 (2012). We … [Read more...]

Homebuilders, With Their Own Axe To Grind, Argue That Independent Counsel Should Be Required Upon Issuance Of Every Reservation Of Rights Letter

The Southern Nevada’s Homebuilders Association says that the insurance industry is doing its members wrong by not giving them independent counsel. They file an amicus brief with the Nevada Supreme Court and hope that amidst all this gunfire between the parties that their axe grinding will be heard too. The Homebuilders Association lobbies for Southern Nevada’s home builders. However, according to the Association’s brief, the homebuilders don’t really “build” the homes themselves. Rather, the … [Read more...]