Biography

Jacqueline M. Jauregui's primary focus is the defense of class actions and unfair competition cases. She has particular knowledge of the insurance and financial services industry.  Ms. Jauregui has tried cases in state and federal courts, and regularly counsels clients on business, agency and claims issues.

Litigation Matters

• Krinsk v. Priceline.com: Obtained a judgment for the defendant after a bench trial alleging violation of Business & Professions Code Section 17200 and 17500 in connection with statements made on Priceline’s website.
• Flores v Transamerica Corp.: Obtained a judgment for the defendant after trial in a case alleging common law fraud and violation of Business & Professions Code Section §17200 in connection with a consumer loan.  The case involved allegations that loan terms were "unfair", as that term is defined in §17200 jurisprudence, and that associated disclosures were "likely to deceive" consumers who entered into the loans.
• Beardsley v. Transamerica Corporation: Obtained a defense verdict after a jury trial in an action by a former executive of Transamerica Life Insurance & Annuity Company who alleged he was entitled to larger stock option grants and larger "parachute" payments following the acquisition of Transamerica Corporation.  Also obtained an order awarding defendants substantial attorney's fees, affirmed on appeal.
• Edelstein v. Farmers Group, Inc.: Obtained voluntary dismissal of class allegations in four class actions challenging multiple "claims practices" in the adjustment of property losses in California.
• Dale v. Blue Cross: Obtained a dismissal of Blue Cross as a defendant in a class action alleging ERISA violations in connection with administration of a preferred provider network.
• Von Gerichton v. CalFarm Life Insurance: Obtained a favorable jury verdict ($12,000 awarded in the face of a demand for $100,000) in a case alleging insurance bad faith based on the application of customary and reasonable fee language to reduce a surgeon’s bill.
• Truck Insurance Exchange v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s: Obtained substantial settlements in favor of plaintiff from multiple co-insurers.  The issues included proof of the existence and terms of lost insurance policies, and allocation of obligations across over forty years of coverage underwritten by multiple carriers with varying policy coverages, limits and time on the risk.
• Fritz v. Allstate Ins. Co.: Obtained summary judgment in favor of Allstate, affirmed on appeal, in a bad faith action involving severe subsidence damage to an insured’s home.
• Frommoethelydo v. Fire Ins. (counsel on appeal only): Obtained reversal of $2.5 million judgment against defendant in a bad faith case where a claim was denied on the basis of the insured’s fraud.  Opinion published at 42 Cal.3d 208.
• Fields v. Blue Cross: Obtained dismissal of action where insured had provided inaccurate responses on application for health insurance; dismissal affirmed on appeal.
• Chevron v. Mobay: Prosecuted an action for breach of contract and warranty against a chemical supplier on behalf of Chevron U.S.A.  Received a substantial plaintiff's verdict following a seven-week jury trial.
• Robson v. Transamerica: Obtained a favorable verdict following a two week jury trial of a sex discrimination action against Transamerica Financial Services.
• Shaklee v. Eyelet: Obtained a judgment in favor of our client following a bench trial in an action for breach of contract and breach of warranty.
• Syannon v. Ofshe: Over the course of seven years, represented University of California professor in multiple libel and slander suits prosecuted against him by Syannon and, ultimately, in a cross-complaint for malicious prosecution and abuse of process, resulting in a significant confidential settlement in the professor's favor.
• Gilbert v. Transamerica: Obtained an arbitration award for the defense after an 11 day binding arbitration in a case alleging fraud in a real estate transaction.

Speaking Engagements

• Class Action CLE Task Force Seminar, “Ethics Issues in Class Actions: Contact with Absent Class Members,” and “Settlement: What is Permissible,” Chicago, IL, May 22, 2008.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE): Class Actions - Evaluating, Prosecuting and Defending Representative Actions, Fourth Annual Conference, “Defenses to Class Claims And When to Raise Them,” January 24, 2008.
• American Conference Institute: Defending & Managing Class Actions and Other Complex Litigation, "Removal of Class Actions Cases: The Latest Law and Strategies for Success and Coping With the Unremovable State Court Case"  March, 2005.
• Practicing Law Institute: Unfair Competition Claims 2004, California § 17200 – Its Impact on Consumers & Businesses Everywhere, “Use of Survey Evidence in 17200 & 17500 Cases” August, 2004.
• American Conference Institute: Defending & Managing Class Actions and other Complex Litigation, "Preparing For and Defending Consumer Fraud/Unfair Business Practices Claims", March, 2004
• Practicing Law Institute: Unfair Competition Claims 2003, California Section 17200’s Impact on Consumers and Businesses Everywhere, “The Interplay of 17200 and Insurance Issues” August, 2003.
• Association of California Insurance Companies, General Counsel’s Seminar: Hot Topics Facing The Insurance Industry, July, 2003.
• Association of California Insurance Companies, General Counsel's Seminar, "Hot Topics" July, 2002.
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, "Defending The Insurance Class Action" March, 2002.
• Testimony before the Federal Judiciary Subcommittee concerning reform of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure §23 (governing Class Actions), November, 2001.

Memberships & Honors

While attending law school, She was awarded the Order of the Coif and is a member of the Thurston Honor Society.