News
The attorneys of Robertson & Vick have handled many high profile cases which have been featured in the national media, including Forbes magazine, the New York Times, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, National Law Journal, Lawyers Weekly USA, California Lawyers magazine, L.A. Daily Journal, San Francisco Daily Journal, and the ABA Journal. In addition, the firm's cases have also been featured on national television news programs including, CBS News Show 48 Hours, ABC Prime Time Live, NBC's The Today Show and CNN.
Recent News
Both Alex Robertson, IV and Jonathan Vick recently won big victories for their clients by obtaining published decisions from the California Court of Appeal. See the links below for copies of these cases.
Alexander Robertson, IV recently obtained a published decision from the California Court of Appeal in Standard Fire Insurance Company v. Spectrum Community Association (2006) 141 Cal. App. 4th 1117. Listed in Mealey's Litigation Report as one of the Ten Most Significant Insurance Coverage Decisions of 2006, this case held that a commercial general liability insurer had a duty to defend a condominium developer in an action against it for construction defects under an occurrence-based policy, even though the HOA did not exist during the policy period and none of the unit owners owned the condos during the policy period. The court held that the critical question is when the property damage occurred, not when the HOA came into existence. Otherwise, the occurrence-based insurance policy would be transformed into a claims-made policy, and the developers would be deprived of bargained-for insurance coverage and there would virtually never be insurance coverage for condominium construction defect lawsuits. The decision also discussed the important issues of legal standing and real party-in-interest in terms of the accrual of a cause of action for construction defects. Spectrum Appeal Decision (PDF)
Jonathan S. Vick recently obtained a published opinion from the California Court of Appeal, which has been widely reported in the construction industry. The Court of Appeal issued a decision holding that a subcontractor has a duty to perform work in a good and workmanlike manner. A subcontractor who is careless and negligent in the performance of the work is liable to the general contractor, to the owner, and to persons for any damages proximately caused. Further, the court found that the owner ordinarily has a cause of action against the subcontractor arising from the subcontractor's defective work, even though there is no privity of contract between the owner and subcontractor. The owner usually has a cause of action in negligence as a party within the area of foreseeable risk. The Stonegate Homeowners Association v. T.A. Staben et al., 144 C.A.4th 740. Stonegate Appeal Opinion (PDF)