Biography

Erin Cornell concentrates her practice in insurance law with an emphasis in insurance coverage litigation and advice involving first- and third-party coverage and bad faith matters under personal and commercial lines. Ms. Cornell has counseled and litigated a variety of claims, including commercial general liability, first-party property, environmental, disability, health and life insurance. Ms. Cornell also represents insurers and welfare benefit plans in ERISA actions.

As part of her practice Ms. Cornell counsels insurers regarding scope of coverage and settlement. Ms. Cornell is also an experienced litigator, handling all aspects of litigation including law and motion, mediation, bench trials and appeals.

Publications and Presentations

• “Ninth Circuit Provides More Confusion, Less Guidance on Abuse of Discretion Review in ERISA Long-Term Disability Benefit Disputes,” co-Authored, Sedgwick’s Healthcare Law Newsletter (Spring 2011).
• “ERISA Party's Achievement of 'Some Degree of Success on Merits' Does Not Automatically Permit Award of Attorneys' Fees,” co-authored, Sedgwick’s Healthcare Law Newsletter (Fall 2010).
• “The Continuing Battle Over ERISA Discretionary Clauses and Streamlined Procedures,” co-presenter, Sedgwick Annual Healthcare Seminar Series, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco (May 24-25, 2010).
• "First Circuit Affirms Judgment for Long-Term Disability Administrator Where Evidence of Physical Impairment Was Deficient," Sedgwick’s Insurance Law Update (February 2010).
• "Fifth Circuit Upholds ERISA Administrator’s Discretionary Decision Based On Circumstantial Evidence," Sedgwick’s Insurance Law Update (July 2009).
• "Supreme Court’s Met Life Decision Spurs Second Circuit to Devise New Analysis for Discretionary Benefit Decisions," Sedgwick’s Insurance Law Update (January 2009).
• "Appellate Court Affirms Employer’s Right to Terminate Health Coverage of Retirees," Sedgwick’s Insurance Law Update (October 2008). 
• Chapter 6F: Group Insurance (Contributor), 2008, 2009 and 2010 Updates to Rutter’s California Practice Guide, Insurance Litigation (2008).
• "Court Looks at Level of Intoxication to Determine If Death Was ‘Accidental’ Under Policy," Sedgwick’s Healthcare Law Newsletter (Summer 2008).
• "Beneficiary Not Entitled to Life Insurance Benefits Despite Breach of Fiduciary Duty," Sedgwick Insurance Law Update (November 2007), republished by the Employment Law Information Network Daily News Update (November 30, 2007).
• "Ninth Circuit Courts More Likely To Allow Discovery in ERISA Actions Following Abatie," Sedgwick’s Healthcare Law Newsletter (Winter 2007).

Memberships & Honors

Ms Cornell completed an eight-week secondment in 2008 at the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, where she tried five criminal jury trials. In 2011, Ms. Cornell was chosen to participate in Sedgwick’s Trial Academy.

While attending law school, Ms. Cornell was an extern for the Honorable Marvin R. Baxter in the California Supreme Court, earned the International and Comparative Law Certificate, and the CALI Award for Excellence in Information Technology Law. She was also a technical editor for the Maritime Law Journal. 

As an undergraduate, Ms. Cornell spent a year at the University of Leeds, England, studying politics.