Stephen M. Green

Stephen M. Green is a Partner in the Firm’s Insurance and Litigation practice groups. He is an experienced litigator who has obtained numerous victories on behalf of insurers and insurance brokers in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Mr. Green also counsels insurers in the pre-litigation context regarding a wide array of insurance policies, including directors’ and officers’, professional liability, commercial general liability, financial lines, media/intellectual property, and environmental.

Admissions & Associations

State of California

US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

US District Court for the Central District of California

US District Court for the Northern District of California

US District Court for the Southern District of California

US District Court for the Eastern District of California

Representative Matters

Motion to dismiss granted on behalf of excess liability insurer in lawsuit for declaratory relief, based on the Complaint’s failure to present a live case or controversy given lack of allegations that underlying insurance was exhausted.  Sinanian Dev., Inc. v. Admiral Ins. Co., Case No. 24-cv-00232 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 30, 2024).

Summary judgment in favor of umbrella liability insurer affirmed on appeal in North Carolina Court of Appeal and North Carolina Supreme Court concerning the applicable trigger of coverage, method of allocation, and equitable estoppel arguments regarding hundreds of underlying lawsuits alleging benzene bodily injury purportedly caused by exposure to insured’s products. Radiator Spec. Co. v. Arrowood Indem. Co., et al., 383 N.C. 387 (2022).

Judgment for insurer after defeating multiple motions for summary judgment and prevailing in subsequent bench trial against another insurer in its lawsuit for equitable contribution, subrogation and indemnity. California Capital Ins. Co. v. Gotham Ins. Co., Case No. 18CECG03205 (Fresno Cty. Cal. Sup. Ct. Feb. 2, 2022), aff’d 2023 WL 7295161 (Cal. Ct. App. Nov. 6, 2023) (unpublished).

Summary judgment in favor of wholesale insurance broker against insured on issue of lack of duty. Star Ins. Co. v. Sunwest Metals, Inc., Case No. 13-cv-01930 (C.D.Cal. Dec. 29, 2014).

Denial of anti-SLAPP motion affirmed on appeal. US Fire Ins. Co. v. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, 171 Cal.App.4th 1617 (2009).

Demurrer (sustained without leave to amend) affirmed on appeal in favor of general liability insurer against claimant’s Complaint-in-Intervention in declaratory relief and reimbursement action between insurers and insured. Royal Indem. Co. v. United Enterpr., Inc., et al., 162 Cal.App.4th 194 (2008).

Demurrer (sustained without leave to amend) affirmed on appeal in favor of general liability insurer against claimant’s pre-judgment direct action against insurer for declaratory relief. Otay Land Co. v. Royal Indem. Co., 169 Cal.App.4th 556 (2008).