Jodi Swick

Practice Areas

Jodi’s specialty is representing insurance companies and financial services clients. She represents them in all types of matters – ranging from complex coverage issues, bad faith disputes, financial elder abuse claims to contractual negotiations, regulatory issues, and specialized business concerns. Jodi has litigated cases in virtually every line of coverage with limits and benefits ranging from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars. Her experience includes general liability, personal lines, entertainment liability, errors and omissions, employment liability, health, life, disability, ERISA, and professional liability policies.

In addition to her insurance practice, Jodi frequently handles complex commercial disputes, regulatory compliance matters, and class actions. Her practice also specializes in class action and complex business matters that have been pursued under a wide variety of statutes and consumer protection laws. She has expertise representing high-profile individuals, Michelin-starred chefs, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing companies, start-ups, and other well-known businesses.

Career

Jodi K. Swick is a successful trial lawyer, who founded McDowell Hetherington’s California office in 2013.

During her career, Jodi has been recognized as a stand-out attorney. She was named a Top Women Lawyer by the Daily Journal, which honors the best 100 women lawyers practicing in California. She was also recognized by San Francisco Business Times as one of its “40 Under 40.” In 2025, she was further honored as one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business,” a recognition of her leadership in the legal profession and broader business community.

Jodi is known by her clients for her ability to take on tough cases and favorably resolve them. She has been victorious in jury trials – obtaining complete defense verdicts – and at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She regularly prevails on dispositive motions and also negotiates settlements in what clients view as “impossible to resolve” cases.

Professional Memberships

Alameda County Bar Association

California Women Lawyers – Board Member (2008-2011)

Publications

Reading the Tea Leaves: Determining a Former Spouse’s Entitlement to Life Insurance Proceeds (Life, Health, and Disability Newsletter – DRI | Mar 1, 2023)

The Wild, Wild, West: An Update on Retroactive Application of California’s Lapse and Notice Statutes (The Brief Case: DRI Committee News | March 2022, Volume 1, Issue 1)

Wait for It: California State and Federal High Courts to Issue Long-Awaited Clarification Regarding California’s Life Insurance Statutes (Life, Health and Disability Newsletter – DRI | Oct 13, 2020)

Education

Awards