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Wanger Jones Helsley PC

Insurance Defense

Defense of insurers and insureds in coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and civil litigation, backed by the firm's trial experience, across California.

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What We Do

Insurance Defense Services

01

Insurance Coverage

Analysis and litigation of insurance coverage questions for insurers and insureds.

02

Bad Faith Defense

Defense of insurance bad faith claims in state and federal court.

03

Civil Litigation Defense

Defense of insureds in civil litigation, including liability and damages matters.

04

Declaratory Relief

Declaratory relief actions resolving coverage and duty-to-defend questions.

05

Complex & Catastrophic Claims

Defense of complex, high-exposure, and catastrophic claims requiring trial readiness.

06

Appeals

Appellate representation arising from insurance and civil defense matters.

Overview

How We Serve Our Clients

Wanger Jones Helsley defends insurers and insureds in coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and civil litigation. The practice brings the firm's established trial experience to insurance matters, where credible trial capability shapes how claims are evaluated and resolved, and where the willingness to try a case can affect outcomes.

The firm handles coverage analysis and litigation, bad faith defense, declaratory relief actions, and the defense of civil claims against insureds, including complex and high-exposure matters. Its litigators are experienced in the California state and federal courts where these disputes are decided.

Because insurance defense overlaps with the firm's broader civil litigation work, clients get attorneys who try cases as a matter of course. That trial readiness is central to defending bad faith and coverage matters and to resolving claims on favorable terms.

Our Approach

What to Expect from WJH

— 01

Trial-Tested

Insurance defense is handled by litigators who try cases, giving credibility in bad faith and coverage matters where trial capability affects outcomes.

— 02

Both Sides of Coverage

The firm represents insurers and insureds, with the coverage knowledge to analyze and litigate duty-to-defend and indemnity questions.

— 03

Complex-Claim Ready

The practice is equipped for complex, high-exposure, and catastrophic claims that require thorough preparation and trial readiness.

The Team

Attorneys in this Practice

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Jay A. Christofferson, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Jay A. Christofferson
Shareholder
Fresno
Scott D. Laird, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Scott D. Laird
Shareholder
Fresno
Patrick D. Toole, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Patrick D. Toole
Shareholder
Fresno
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wanger Jones Helsley handle in insurance defense?
Wanger Jones Helsley handles insurance coverage analysis and litigation, bad faith defense, civil litigation defense of insureds, declaratory relief actions, complex and catastrophic claims, and related appeals. The firm represents insurers and insureds in California state and federal court, bringing established trial experience to high-exposure coverage and liability matters.
Does WJH defend bad faith claims?
Yes. The firm defends insurance bad faith claims in state and federal court, drawing on its trial experience. In bad faith and coverage matters, the firm's credible willingness and ability to try a case is a meaningful part of its defense approach.
Does WJH represent insurers, insureds, or both?
Wanger Jones Helsley represents both insurers and insureds in coverage disputes and civil litigation. The firm's coverage knowledge lets it analyze and litigate duty-to-defend and indemnity questions from either perspective, and its trial experience is central to how it defends bad faith and high-exposure claims in California courts.
Can WJH handle complex and high-exposure claims?
Yes. The practice is equipped to defend complex, high-exposure, and catastrophic claims that require thorough preparation and trial readiness. It is supported by the firm's established civil litigation and trial capability, so insurers and insureds facing significant exposure have counsel prepared to try cases when resolution cannot be reached.
Where does WJH handle insurance defense matters?
The firm's insurance defense attorneys work from the Fresno office and defend matters in California state and federal courts. They serve insurers and insureds throughout the Central Valley and across the state, handling coverage, bad faith, civil defense, and complex claims through trial and appeal where necessary.
Who at WJH handles insurance defense matters in Fresno?
Wanger Jones Helsley's insurance defense work is handled from the Fresno office by attorneys including Patrick Toole, Scott Laird, and Jay Christofferson. The firm assigns matters to attorneys whose coverage and civil litigation experience fits the claim, from coverage analysis to bad faith and complex-claim defense.
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