Department profile
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Insurance: Insurer

USA Guide 2026 : California


Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard represents insurance companies nationwide in coverage disputes, bad faith claims and class action litigation.   Our Insurance team offers unparalleled trial experience and a track record of published decisions establishing favorable law for the insurance industry. 

We help carriers proactively minimize extra-contractual risk during the pre-litigation stage by advising on coverage issues and guiding claim handlers through time-limit settlement demands and other challenges. When litigation arises, we aggressively defend carriers in bad faith lawsuits, high-value coverage disputes and class actions.

Our trial lawyers have delivered defense verdicts in over 100 jury and bench trials. Insurers often parachute our team into high-exposure cases across the country—often involving tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in potential liability. They rely on our ability to craft creative arguments, reduce risk and, when necessary, help establish new precedent that benefits the broader industry.

Clients (25)

  • Allianz
  • Allstate
  • Automobile Club of Southern California
  • CIGNA
  • Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
  • Fireman’s Fund
  • First American Title
  • HealthMarkets
  • GEICO
  • Infinity Insurance
  • Insphere Insurance Solutions
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Lockton Companies
  • Mercury Insurance
  • Peerless Insurance
  • QBE Insurance Group
  • Safeco Insurance
  • Safeway Insurance
  • Sun Life Assurance Company
  • TIG Insurance Company
  • Travelers
  • Underwriters at Lloyd’s
  • Unum
  • Wawanesa Insurance
  • Zurich America

Industries (2)

  • Insurance
  • insurers

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Insurer - California

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a quality California practice with core expertise in auto insurance claims, excess policies and bad faith litigation. Its strong track record in trial work sees the practice regularly engaged by major domestic insurers to defend them in substantial class actions, as well as in appellate proceedings. The team routinely represents clients in both the state and federal courts across California.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP obtained summary judgment in favor of Continental Casualty Company in a bad faith litigation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their expertise allows for integrated, efficient and well-coordinated representation across jurisdictions.

    Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
  • I turn to Sheppard Mullin for the most significant and complex legal matters. The firm has a deep bench of legal talent who provide outstanding strategic advice.

    Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
  • They are creative, responsive and professional. Their writing and critical thinking skills are exceptional, and they have a think-outside-the-box mentality.

    Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
  • They are all amazing attorneys in this team. They are super-knowledgeable and available.

    Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
  • I can attest they have a solid knowledge of industry practices and litigation issues. It's a pleasure to work with a firm so proactive in its defense work.

    Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Peter Klee
    Band 1Peter Klee

    Peter Klee

    Peter Klee stands out in the market for his expert handling of coverage disputes. He demonstrates strength in claims concerning bad faith and has experience handling both individual and class actions.
    • Peter is a top-notch insurance attorney who goes above and beyond.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Peter is aware of our business and industry such that he gives a 360-degree view on the best way to go. He always has our best interests at heart and knows our business inside-out.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Peter is adept at handling complicated matters, with very detailed analysis and an encyclopedic knowledge of case law. He is aware of what's going on in the industry and applies that to his advice.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Peter is the best attorney I've ever worked with in the industry.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Peter is a superior attorney with a deep understanding of, and insight into, the challenges we face. He is our go-to attorney when a matter calls for extraordinary legal skills and industry acumen.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
  • Band 4Theona Zhordania
    Band 4Theona Zhordania

    Theona Zhordania

    Theona Zhordania is commended for her ability to handle high-value and complex insurance disputes. She demonstrates particular expertise defending insurers from bad faith and negligence claims.

    • Theona is thorough and gets through material very efficiently and comes up with effective strategies.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • I respect Theona's legal expertise and litigation experience. When she handles a case, she's all in and works diligently for the client.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Theona is an extremely effective litigator who understands our business needs and provides exceptional value to our company. She is well respected and an incredibly talented writer and researcher.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Theona is a brilliant negotiator who comes up with novel arguments.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA
    • Theona is practical, solution-driven, and has an incredible work ethic. She is also an outstanding trial attorney.

      Insurance: Insurer respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP (3)

California

Members

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

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