Department profile
Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Insurance: Policyholder

USA Guide 2026 : California


Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Policyholder - California

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Farella Braun + Martel is deeply experienced in matters concerning policyholders, offering clients a range of non-contentious services including advice on policy interpretation. The team handles significant coverage litigation as well, particularly in the areas of D&O insurance, cyber liability, employment practices liability and construction-related claims. The firm is also noted for its class-action work and advises clients on policy wording negotiation and insurance policy purchasing.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Farella Braun + Martel provided strategic and insurance coverage advice cybersecurity technology company CrowdStrike related to July 19, 2024 software update incident.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team provide solid strategic advice, retention of complex facts, and expert mediation skills. They also have an excellent understanding of our business.

    Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • The team are complete experts in all areas of insurance law. They really know the landscape and give excellent, practical advice.

    Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • Farella Braun + Martel have strong knowledge of the insurance market, providing cogent analysis regarding coverage matters. They have very good commercial awareness, I couldn't expect much more.

    Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • Farella Braun + Martel provides very able representation of our interests.

    Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Erica Villanueva
    Band 2Erica Villanueva

    Erica Villanueva

    Erica Villanueva is the chair of Farella's insurance recovery practice group. She is widely respected in the California market and often works on complex insurance coverage disputes, frequently representing clients from the tech sector. She is recognised for her handling of D&O disputes and bad-faith claims.

    • Erica is a pleasure to work with. She is highly professional and an expert in her field. I would recommend her to anyone in need of her specialization.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Erica is a true expert who is good at reducing complex concepts to understandable explanations.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Erica is a complete expert in all areas of insurance law, and has strong experience with other firms. She really knows the landscape and gives excellent, practical advice.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Erica is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Erica is amazing to work with on insurance matters. The depth of her technical coverage expertise and negotiation skills are invaluable.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • Band 2Tyler C Gerking
    Band 2Tyler C Gerking

    Tyler C Gerking

    Tyler Gerking is a respected insurance attorney who regularly advises on D&O, data privacy disputes and insurance coverage.
    • Tyler is highly skilled in insurance coverage and recovery matters. He is super responsive and an excellent partner for our business.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Tyler has a great reputation and is very active in the area.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • Band 3Amy B Briggs
    Band 3Amy B Briggs

    Amy B Briggs

    Amy Briggs is relied upon by a wide range of policyholders to handle their insurance claims and bad faith litigation.
    • Amy is a well-respected attorney working on large complex cases.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • I respect Amy a lot. She is bright, knowledgeable, and a strong advocate for her clients.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Amy knows what is a legal position and what is a business position, she understands the needs of our company. She is capable of taking complex, high-value matters and forming creative, winning strategies.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Amy is practical and responsive, and I feel very confident in her advice. She is thorough, direct and succinct in written and oral communication.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • Band 3Raymond Sheen
    Band 3Raymond Sheen

    Raymond Sheen

    Raymond Sheen focuses his practice on insurance recovery disputes. He regularly handles coverage claims concerning cyber liability, trademark infringement and business interruption losses.
    • Ray is one of those lawyers you hang onto. He is a trusted adviser who really understands what a GC needs.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Raymond is responsive, attentive to detail; he knows everything about the matter and has facts at his fingertips.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Raymond is responsive, commercially savvy, and aware of our business's specific needs.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Raymond is a smart and excellent attorney who really knows his stuff.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Raymond's ability to understand the underlying industry is excellent, taking into account changes to the industry.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingShanti Eagle
    Up and ComingShanti Eagle

    Shanti Eagle

    Shanti Eagle is widely sought after by policyholders to advise on insurance coverage and handle claims under a wide variety of policies. She has handled cases involving builder's risk and cyber and general liability, among other issues.

    • Shanti has deep subject matter expertise. She is practical, thoughtful and proactive.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Shanti demonstrated her ability to grasp the commercial detail on a complex matter. Her recall of details was very high, and she was effective and professional in discussions.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • I can't say enough great things about Shanti. Her advice was spot-on at every turn. She is super responsive and easy to work with.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA
    • Shanti is our go-to coverage counsel.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Farella Braun + Martel LLP (5)

California

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