Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Insurance
State
Robert L. Wallan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Robert L. practices law in Los Angeles, California Best Lawyers has recognized Robert L. Wallan since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Robert L. Wallan is held by other lawyers.
Heidi Mandt is a Portland, Oregon–based attorney who focuses on civil litigation involving product liability, professional liability, toxic torts, and insurance defense. She represents clients in state and federal courts in matters involving personal injury, commercial disputes, and insurance coverage. Heidi has tried more than twenty cases to verdict and has extensive courtroom experience handling claims involving product liability, medical and professional malpractice, and general lia...
Jay R. Graif is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Jay R. practices law in Phoenix, Arizona Best Lawyers has recognized Jay R. Graif since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jay R. Graif is held by other lawyers.
Matthew P. Mullen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Insurance. Matthew P. practices law in New Philadelphia, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew P. Mullen since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew P. Mullen is held by other lawyers.
John Bucheit is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience handling complex commercial disputes and employment-related matters throughout the country. He has represented a wide range of clients in their most complex and high-stakes litigation, earning him a reputation for being a creative and innovative problem solver. John is well-known for handling unique issues of first impression and is praised for his ability to craft effective and innovative solutions for his clients. In one case, f...
Lauren E. Lonergan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - ERISA and Litigation - Insurance. Lauren E. practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Lauren E. Lonergan since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lauren E. Lonergan is held by othe...
Lisa Conforti is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Insurance. Lisa practices law in Oakland, California Best Lawyers has recognized Lisa Conforti since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lisa Conforti is held by other lawyers.
Susan M. Dimond is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Susan M. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Susan M. Dimond since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Susan M. Dimond is held by other lawyers.
Paul Berg splits his time between managing the firm and his litigation practice. Paul’s practice focuses on complex business and commercial litigation, along with personal injury and wrongful death actions. Paul co-authored the 2020 edition of Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation , as well as the 2009 supplement to the “Case Investigation” chapter of the Oregon Civil Litigation Manual .
Deborah Etlinger practices in the areas of insurance defense and insurance coverage. She has 35 years of legal experience. Deborah’s clients are insurance companies seeking legal services to address complex matters and high stakes litigation. Matters include construction defect, toxic tort, employment, and defense of institutional clients in sexual molestation cases. In a multi-million-dollar construction defect case, Deborah implemented a strategy of conducting limited discovery on beh...
Gerry Fagan has been practicing as a civil litigator at one of the top Montana law firms since 1998. Gerry is a Montana native who graduated with Honors from the University of Montana School of Law. He has tried over ten jury trial cases throughout Montana, including in Billings, Missoula, and in Great Falls, Montana. He primarily handles the defense of claims for personal injury, product liability, malpractice, employment, and municipal liability. He also handles a wide range of commercial l...
Shaun A. DeCoudres is a shareholder in the firm’s Birmingham (AL) office. His practice concentrates on transportation and automotive liability, premises liability, construction litigation, insurance and environmental law. He has tried numerous cases, both jury and non-jury, and is the primary attorney who handles pest control litigation (bed bugs, termites, etc.) in the firm. Shaun earned his Bachelor of Arts in business, magna cum laude , from Auburn University (AL), his Master of Busi...
Experienced Trial Lawyer Delivering Results Dan joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP as a Partner in August 2013. He led the firm as Managing Partner in 2018 and 2019. He received his law degree from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude , from Youngstown State University. Dan is a trial attorney and enhances the insurance defense and law enforcement liability sections of the firm. He is experienced in employment and civil rights litigation, la...
Stephen R. Klaffky focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, environmental litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith, and securities litigation and regulation. Stephen has represented financial institutions, investors, manufacturers, and employers through trial and on appeal. As lead counsel, he has successfully defended clients against allegations involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, lender liability, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination. He has also...
Stephen A. Melendi is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Stephen A. practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen A. Melendi since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Stephen A. Melendi is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
