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Craig S. Simon | Managing Principal
csimon@bergerkahn.com
Orange County
Craig S. Simon is the managing principal at Berger Kahn. He has broad trial experience representing insurers, financial companies, and business owners. Craig is National Subrogation Counsel to a top nationwide insurer, helping to oversee recovery challenges across the country. Accomplished at handling large subrogation cases against major manufacturers and regulated utilities in mass tort events, Craig also serves as a business consultant to insurers and financial companies, helping them improve their processes to avoid litigation.
Craig has been lead trial attorney in dozens of cases before federal and state court juries and arbitrations across the country, and has a strong track record of success in resolving the most difficult cases. He is accustomed to handling matters of exceptional complexity, such as nationwide class actions and multidistrict litigation. Craig is particularly accomplished in defending companies in litigation involving punitive damages, a talent honed through years of dedication to this specific area
of practice. Working closely with clients, jury consultants and graphic designers and utilizing mock trials and focus groups, Craig is highly skilled at developing powerful and persuasive litigation themes and strategies that resonate with juries.
Craig enjoys litigating cases, especially those that are complicated or involve novel theories, whether the underlying matter is a
business dispute or one involving insurance.
Craig was recently named among the Top 100 Attorneys in California for 2010 by the Daily Journal for helping to achieve a $950 million settlement involving California wildfire-related cases on behalf of homeowner insurance carriers. He has been recognized by his peers as a Southern California Super Lawyer in the areas of General Litigation and Insurance Coverage for three consecutive years. In 2010 and 2011, he was named one of the Top 50 Orange County Super Lawyers for receiving the highest point totals in the Southern California Super Lawyers ballot.
Craig began his career consulting with insurance companies. His
experience includes:
- Craig assists insurers in the adoption and implementation of
procedures for the handling of claims, including the drafting of claims
manuals, guidelines and policies.
- In the area of property insurance, he has considerable experience
representing carriers in first-party claims. He has distinguished himself
in fire and arson claims and litigation arising from such claims.
- In the area of insurance coverage, Craig has represented numerous
insurers in difficult duty-to-defend litigation, which presents unique
"case-within-a-case" evidence issues.
- In the area of life and annuity sales, Craig has considerable
experience in defending against the global attacks being made on the
industry, and has defended both individual and class actions.
- Craig serves as a consultant and expert witness in disputed insurance
matters for both the plaintiff and defense bar.
A frequent lecturer before industry-
specific audiences, including C.P.C.U., International Association of
Special Investigative Units, The Insurance Committee for Arson Control,
the International Association of Arson Investigators, and Public Risk
Management Association. Craig also lectures before lawyer groups on trial
tactics in cases involving punitive damages. He is actively involved in
issues concerning law practice management and lectures on ways to improve
client relations.
Craig joined Berger Kahn as a law clerk in 1975, became a principal in
1981, and in 1984 opened the firm's Orange County Office.
He and his wife Joan have three children and live in Irvine, California.
Education
J.D., Loyola Law School, 1977
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, cum laude, 1974
Admitted to Practice
California
U.S. District Court, Central, Southern and Northern Districts of
California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Memberships
Orange County Bar Association
National Association of Subrogation Professionals
Distinctions
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated - Martindale-Hubbell
Top 100 Attorneys in California for 2010 by the Daily Journal
Top 50 Orange County Southern California Super Lawyers 2011
Top 50 Orange County Super Lawyers 2010
2011 Southern California Super Lawyer
2010 Southern California Super Lawyer
2009 Southern California Super Lawyer
Press Releases
Expert Insurance Law Attorney Available for Commentary on Concordia Sinking
Berger Kahn Managing Partner Craig Simon Can Provide Expert Insurance Law Analysis
IRVINE, CA--(Jan 16, 2012) - With the largest maritime disaster, the losses related to the Concordia sinking and its related impact on Carnival Corporation's stock price, Berger Kahn Managing Partner Craig Simon is available to provide commentary to media on the implications of this disaster and how insurance will play a role in the disaster.
Media Coverage
Costa Concordia Capsize No Small Claim
Money News with Ross Greenwood - January 25, 2012
Concordia: Questions and Some Answers - Long-term Fallout Appears Limited
Nomura Equity Research - January 19, 2012
Insurers Face Huge Compensation Bill
Lloyd's List - January 18, 2012
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