Perkins Coie Adds Group of Six Insurance Coverage Attorneys to its Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Offices

SEATTLE (April 26, 2010) – Perkins Coie announced that six attorneys and one paralegal have joined the firm's Insurance Coverage practice, solidifying Perkins position as having one of the premier national and international practices enforcing policyholders' rights to coverage under all types of commercial insurance policy products.  The groups includes partners Les Brown and Tom McMahon in Los Angeles, partner Robert Jacobs and of counsel Dennis James in Washington, D.C., and associates Fiona Chaney and James Bernald in Los Angeles.

"This is a talented group of attorneys that we are pleased to have join the firm," said Perkins Coie Managing Partner Bob Giles.  "We have had excellent policyholder only insurance coverage practice for a number of years. This group of highly respected lawyers will help us expand the insurance coverage services that we can offer clients nationally and internationally."

New partner Les Brown added, "We are excited to be joining Perkins Coie's highly-regarded policyholder insurance recovery practice. Our combined experience makes Perkins a national and international leader in this field."

"Adding this team of attorneys to our firm brings even greater depth to the services we can provide our clients," said Tim Burns, chair of the firm's insurance coverage group.

The addition of these attorneys from Howrey complements Perkins Coie's efforts to expand its national practices through strategic acquisitions and lateral hires. Since 2005 the firm has added over 200 lateral attorneys in a variety of practice groups.

Perkins Coie's Insurance Coverage Practice has the depth, experience and sophistication to handle the most complex coverage disputes on behalf of policyholders involving multiple insurers, while at the same time being efficient enough to enforce a policyholder's rights to coverage in a dispute involving only one insurer. It has extensive experience representing policyholders in all types of dispute resolution proceedings, ranging from pre-litigation negotiation and advocacy, to litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the United States, to both domestic and international arbitrations.   Perkins Coie has a proven ability to take innovative approaches to coverage disputes to achieve the best results for our clients.

The firm is dedicated to providing an inclusive work environment that provides all employees the opportunity to succeed.  For eight consecutive years, Perkins Coie has been on FORTUNE magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For."  The firm was also recently recognized by Working Mother magazine as one of the "2008 Best Law Firms for Women" and one of the "2008 Top Ten Family Friendly Firms" by Yale Law Women.