Insurance Real Estate

LISA M. TRACY

*** *** ******, #* 310-***-****

Santa Monica, CA 90403 ********@*****.***

COMMERCIAL & BUSINESS LITIGATION ATTORNEY

Strategic and focused attorney experienced representing clients in diverse insurance, construction defect and real estate, and environmental litigation matters. Leverage strategic planning, interpersonal communication, research, and negotiation skills to settle complex cases. Foster rapport with clients, strategic partners, and opposing counsel. Adept at negotiating, mediating, and arbitrating matters to achieve favorable outcomes. Proven ability to train, mentor, and manage junior associates. Establish enduring relationships with clients, resulting in new business and revenue generation.

Professional strengths include:

• Complex Civil & Class Action Litigation Management

• Construction Defect & Real Estate Law

• Construction Regulatory Compliance

• Insurance & Reinsurance Coverage

• Client Cultivation & Management

• Team Leadership & Staff Training

• Insurance Defense

• Contract Drafting & Negotiation

EXPERIENCE

CHAPMAN, GLUCKSMAN & DEAN Los Angeles, CA 5/2000 – 10/2010

Partner, February, 2008 to October, 2010

Maintained a diverse caseload of litigation and non-litigation cases, including construction defect and real estate litigation, environmental including toxic tort and mold, insurance coverage, class-action, and business disputes. Cultivated relationships with developers, general contractors, and insurance companies to bring in new business and revenue. Prepared and distributed marketing materials to clients. Managed complex litigation matters from inception through resolution by settlement, arbitration and trial. Negotiated multi-party settlements in large loss cases. Advised developers, general contractors, and property owners on case strategies. Proactively identified and communicated risk exposure to insured clients and claim partners. Advanced relationships with insurance companies and well-known insureds to expedite settlements. Interfaced with witnesses, experts, and insurance adjusters. Interviewed and trained junior attorneys.

Associate, May, 2000 to February, 2008

Performed discovery, legal research, and analysis related to statutory, case law, and insurance coverage. Provided coverage analysis and written opinions in property damage cases as well as reinsurance and commercial general liability matters. Prepared and monitored budgets. Facilitated joint defense cost sharing agreements with up to 30 parties. Drafted issue releases and settlement agreements, conducted depositions, and prepared and argued motions including motions for summary judgment, demurrers and motions in limine. Analyzed insurance certificates and additional insured endorsements from various insurance companies regarding the duty to defend. Reviewed, drafted, negotiated and edited contracts and other transactional documents. Recommended strategies to manage and mitigate financial, technical, liability, and performance related risks. Selected expert teams to properly assess construction defect issues, conducted property site inspections, and created cost effective destructive testing protocols.

Select Accomplishments:

• Achieved top 10% ranking for annual hours billed. Maintained 20 active large cases simultaneously.

• Forged and nurtured relationships with clients and counsel, acting as the main point of contact for legal matters for various clients.

• Prepared and drafted contracts related to real estate purchases, construction and other professional services.

• Represented clients in mediations, settlement conferences, and arbitrations in connection with commercial general liability (CGL) policies, claims-made policies, excess, umbrella, and reinsurance matters.

• Settled several high profile construction cases, including class action matters through negotiation of indemnity or defense obligations.

• Argued and won motion for summary judgment related to construction defect cases and the statute of limitations for bringing an action.

• Orchestrated and managed a summer law clerk program, including recruiting students, planning weekly lunch-and-learn topics, and training on proper insurance company billing procedures.

• Designed PowerPoint Presentations and materials for presentation at legal conferences.

• Transitioned primarily insurance clients into general clients for the firm by building enduring relationships, which generated additional revenue.

• Partnered with the accounting department and insurance companies to facilitate billing, file appeals, and perform collections on outstanding invoices.

ZIMMERMAN & KAHANOWITCH, Woodland Hills, CA 3/1999 – 5/2000

Associate

Researched insurance coverage issues and prepared coverage opinions; prepared discovery and responses; reviewed and summarized depositions; drafted answers, demurrers, and motions including motions to dismiss and strike; and appeared in court for status and settlement conferences on construction defect and general business litigation cases.

EDUCATION

LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL, Los Angeles, CA - Juris Doctor- May, 1998

GPA: 83.73%; Dean’s List

Internship, Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Domestic Violence Unit

Associate Editor, International and Comparative Law Journal

Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Daniel Curry and Charles McCoy, Los Angeles Superior Court

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Northridge, CA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; cum laude, June 1994

Option in Human Resources

Golden Key National Honor Society | Alpha Xi Delta sorority

CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bar Admission:

State Bar of California, November 1998, License # 198422

Affiliations:

Loyola Alumni Association | Southern California Defense Counsel | Northern California Defense Counsel |

American Bar Association

Publication:

The Impact of Disappearing Carriers on Construction Defect Litigation, The Construction Lawyer, Summer 2005

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