Jim Stankowski is nationally recognized for his legal ability in complex insurance litigation and insurance coverage matters. His practice involves the defense of all manner of claims as well as cyber/media issues, class actions and department of insurance investigations. In addition, he has investigated misappropriation/embezzlement of funds by employees and third parties in various occupations, including escrow companies, title insurance companies, real estate developers and financial investment/advisory firms. Jim is a leader in the field of insurance coverage and has effectively represented insurers from early negotiations to mediation to state and federal trials and appeals. His depth of claims analysis combined with his knowledge and experience in the insurance industry contribute to his successful representation of both insurers and insureds.

Jim is the firm’s deputy regional managing partner of the western region and also sits on the Executive Committee. Jim’s insurance industry clients appreciate his in-depth knowledge of the field and respect his mix of common sense and creative approaches in handling the most complex and unique matters. He is often called upon to assist with difficult cases and he leverages his long-term relationships to see matters to a successful, cost-effective conclusion.

Areas of Focus

Professional Liability
Jim has extensive experience defending professional liability matters involving lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and brokers, insurance agents and brokers, real estate appraisers, home inspectors, media and technology companies, mortgage brokers, title and escrow companies, financial broker-dealers, property managers, and directors and officers.

Insurance-Reinsurance Coverage / Bad Faith
Jim has successfully represented insurers in bad faith litigation in state and federal courts and has extensive experience in the investigation and analysis of insurance-coverage issues involving virtually all policy coverages for all types of insureds and risks. These include professional liability errors and omissions matters that involve real estate agents and brokers, insurance agents and brokers, attorneys, accountants, media and technology companies, public entities, municipalities, adverting agencies, homeowners associations, financial broker-dealers, title and escrow companies, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, real estate appraisers, fiduciaries, property managers and property developers.

In addition, Jim has drafted policy language/forms for insurers and consulted with them concerning proposed revisions to existing forms. He has successfully handled hundreds of mediations for insurers and insureds, acted as monitoring counsel for insurers, and provided oversight to insurers and insureds to ensure the reasonableness and necessity of legal expenses incurred.

Employment & Labor
Jim’s practice encompasses coverage investigations and analysis for employment practices claims, including wage and hour class actions; business torts; toxic torts; environmental claims; all types of property loss; general liability claims; and excess insurance issues. Jim also defends employment-related matters, including wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment claims.

Cyber/Media
As businesses face increasingly unique and unusual threats from their use of technology and the process of conducting business on the Internet, insurers are relied on to create novel policies to address these risks. Jim is experienced in helping insurers and insureds handle claims based on cyber risk, technology and media liability.

Property
Jim has effectively represented clients in matters involving both commercial property loss and homeowners’ claims arising from various occurrences.
 

    Education

    • Pepperdine University School of Law (J.D., 1982)
      • cum laude; American Jurisprudence Award, Contracts and Torts
    • Fordham University (B.A., 1979)

    Bar Admissions

    • California

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

    Professional Affiliations

    • Los Angeles County Bar Association

    Awards & Honors

    ​​​​​​​

    • Selected for inclusion in The Legal 500 United States in Insurance: Advice to Insurers Tier 3, 2024-2025
    • Selected for inclusion in The Legal 500 - Insurance Tier 4, 2023
    • AV® Preeminent™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

James A. Stankowski

Jim Stankowski is nationally recognized for his legal ability in complex insurance litigation and insurance coverage matters. His practice involves the defense of all manner of claims as well as cyber/media issues, class actions and department of insurance investigations. In addition, he has investigated misappropriation/embezzlement of funds by employees and third parties in various occupations, including escrow companies, title insurance companies, real estate developers and financial investment/advisory firms. Jim is a leader in the field of insurance coverage and has effectively represented insurers from early negotiations to mediation to state and federal trials and appeals. His depth of claims analysis combined with his knowledge and experience in the insurance industry contribute to his successful representation of both insurers and insureds.

Jim is the firm’s deputy regional managing partner of the western region and also sits on the Executive Committee. Jim’s insurance industry clients appreciate his in-depth knowledge of the field and respect his mix of common sense and creative approaches in handling the most complex and unique matters. He is often called upon to assist with difficult cases and he leverages his long-term relationships to see matters to a successful, cost-effective conclusion.

James A. Stankowski

Morrow and Stankowski Secure Dismissal in Design Malpractice Case

David M. Morrow (Partner-Los Angeles, CA) and James A. Stankowski (Partner-Los Angeles, CA) successfully defended a design firm and its owner in a malpractice and payment dispute. The plaintiff, a former client, asserted professional negligence, fraud and unfair business practices in connection with our client’s design of a cannabis dispensary in Hollywood, California. The plaintiff alleged that our client misrepresented its licensing and qualifications, and rendered deficient plans, causing the dispensary owners costly delays and replacement expenses. After two years of litigation, David and Jim obtained an order imposing issue and evidence sanctions against the plaintiff. Based on the order, David and Jim prevailed on a subsequent Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, securing a judgment in the client’s favor and dismissal of the case with prejudice.  

David M. Morrow and James A. Stankowski

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