Sedgwick Adds Insurance Partner and Special Counsel

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2009 - Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold LLP announced that insurance attorneys Vanessa Wells and Victoria Brown have joined the firm's San Francisco office as partner and special counsel, respectively.

“Vanessa’s insurance regulatory experience and Victoria’s background in complex insurance litigation make them a perfect addition to our team,” said San Francisco Office Managing Partner Michael Healy. “Vanessa and Victoria add additional depth to our already strong Insurance Practices group, which has been representing the insurance industry for more than 75 years.”

Wells focuses her practice on complex business litigation involving insurance pricing matters, regulation and unfair practices. She represents life and property-casualty insurers in commercial litigation, including the regulation of insurance rates and litigation challenging pricing and underwriting practices. She received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Santa Clara University School of Law, and her B.A. from Stanford University.

“Sedgwick has represented clients from virtually every industry in a range of mass tort and commercial litigation matters for decades, but it is traditionally known throughout the legal community for its high-level insurance practices,” said Wells. “Victoria and I are thrilled to join such a talented and well respected team.”

Brown represents insurers in complex business litigation involving breach of contract, unfair competition, and other business conduct claims, as well as the defense of consumer class actions. She has represented insurer clients in cases alleging violation of California's Unfair Competition Law, in matters involving the regulation of insurance rates, and in litigation challenging pricing and underwriting practices. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, and her A.B. degree from Stanford University.

“Sedgwick has a proven track record of success,” said Brown. “We are excited to be a part of Sedgwick and are looking forward to continuing the firm’s tradition of achieving excellent results for our clients.”

Sedgwick’s Insurance Practices Group is organized into subgroups involving attorneys from each of Sedgwick’s offices in the United States, Europe and an associated office in Bermuda. Together, the firm’s insurance-related practice groups comprise one of the largest international insurance industry teams of trial attorneys and policy advisors dedicated to the institutional concerns and success of insurance carriers.