Dawn N. Valentine

My focus

I focus my practice on all facets of complex commercial litigation matters. I am particularly adept at fashioning early processes for practical, early resolution of disputes.

Insurance and Coverage Disputes

I have extensive experience providing coverage advice and developing and implementing litigation strategies for complex coverage actions involving primary, excess, errors and omissions, and directors–and-officers policies, malpractice claims, asbestos litigation, intellectual property matters, advertising injury claims, intentional torts, punitive damages, and lost wages claims.

ERISA Litigation

I have litigated ERISA class action matters and numerous other types of ERISA disputes in district court and on appeal.

Complex Commercial Litigation

I have extensive experience both in pursuing and defending against fraud claims. I have litigated fraud claims against an agent that resulted in a directed verdict and successfully defended several health clinics against allegations of False Claims Act violations, including convincing the U.S. Attorney not to intervene.

I have had primary responsibility for managing complex disputes involving false advertising, unfair competition, copyright and trademark violations, and contract disputes. I specialize in devising assertive litigation strategies and using efficient and effective motion practice, and have a history of settling cases for waiver of cost or little or no financial participation by clients.

Looking ahead

The economic, physical, and emotional fallout from the COVID-19 global pandemic, climate change, increasingly devastating fires, hurricanes and flooding will continue to challenge insurers, policyholders, and insurance guaranty funds for years to come. I also see an increasing amount of litigation and legal uncertainty around emerging risks posed by advances in technology and newly enacted privacy regulations.

Presentations and Publications

• “California’s Reader Privacy Act: What Every Bookseller Must Know” (Barger & Wolen’s Insurance Litigation & Regulatory Law Blog, February 21, 2012)
• “New California Security Breach Notification Requirements Set Standard for Notification Letters” (Barger & Wolen’s Insurance Litigation & Regulatory Law Blog, January 27, 2012)
• “Reinsurance California Insurance Law and Practice—Chapter 11” (Revised) (LexisNexis Matthew Bender, June 01, 2010)
• “Fall From Coverage,” Los Angeles Daily Journal, November 28, 2006)
• Defending the Insured (Aspen Press 2004, 2008)
• Reinsurance Practice and the Law, by Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, “Letters of Credit and Other Security Provided by Reinsurers.”