David P. Bender, Jr. is a shareholder at Anderson Kill Wood & Bender, P.C. and since co-founding Wood & Bender in 1997, Mr. Bender, a long-time advocate of policyholder's rights, has seen the firm grow to become one of the nation's leading law firms focusing on insurance policy enforcement. He has helped lead the firm's policy enforcement practice representing public and private corporations, financial institutions, private and public educational institutions, and Boards of Directors.
"It's been both aggravating and frustrating watching my clients struggle against insurers who don't want to pay legitimate policy claims," Mr. Bender explains. "Helping those who don't understand all the fine print in an insurance policy, and then making sure the responsible parties are accountable for honoring their end of the deal is what our practice is all about."
Mr. Bender holds Martindale-Hubbell's highest "AV" rating for professionalism and ethics. He is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association-Employment Section, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. He is a Trustee on the Board of Directors for Holy Cross College in South Bend, Indiana, former Chairman of St. Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center Foundation, former Director of the Board of Hospitaller Brothers Health Care of California, Inc., former President of Catholic Charities for Ventura County and Member, Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts of Ventura County.
Representative Engagements:
Mr. Bender has represented numerous private and public entities in coverage disputes against insurance carriers and joint powers agencies. He recently won a binding arbitration hearing against the London and Bermuda reinsurance markets on a significant coverage dispute involving the 2003 California wildfires. He has collected millions of dollars from carriers on behalf of policyholders including $25 million in policy limits on behalf of a major retailer. He also represents two major California municipalities in separate challenges regarding policy benefits, one of which arises under comprehensive litigation involving a city's affordable housing program. Before forming Wood & Bender, with David Wood, Mr. Bender was a partner in the Los Angeles office of Epstein, Becker & Green.
Publications
Mr. Bender is an author of the guide, Corporate Policyholders' 50-State Guide: The Right to Independent Counsel, the first state-by-state guide that equips in-house counsel to address the legal conflicts that may occur when a policyholder needs legal representation and the insurance company selects the attorney.
Mr. Bender has also written numerous articles on insurance coverage. Recent publications include:
"Attorney Conflicts of Interest: A Tool for Insurance Companies," Enforce: The Insurance Policy Enforcement Journal, Volume 7, Issue 1 (2009) and Corporate Counsel (July 2009) (with William G. Passannante)
"Are America's Corporations Getting the Coverage They Pay For?," published in D&O Advisor, (January 2003)
"Corporate Governance Best Practices: An Independent Analysis of Your Insurance Policies and Procedures," published in D&O Advisor, (June 2003)
"Rescission: The Devil is the Details Here's How Corporate America Can Find Him!," published in D&O Advisor, (June 2003)
"Managing the Risk in the Outsourcing of Services," published in Inside Supply Management, (September 2003)
"Rescission: the Devil is in the Details," published in Enforce, Vol. 1 (2003)
"Public Entities Suffer a Perfect Storm of Insurance Problems," published in Enforce, Vol 3, Issue 2, (2005)
"The Neglected Role of Insurance in M&A," published in The John Liner Review, (September 2005)
"Constructing a Solid Foundation as an Additional Insured," published in The John Liner Review, (December 2005)
"The Battle Over Insurance Claims," published in Builder & Developer, (July 2006)
"Reducing Liability through Strategic Risk Management Practices," published in Today's Facility Manager (May/June 2006)
"Managing Risk Though an Insurance Policy Audit," published in Construction Executive, (July 2006)
"Insurance Coverage For Employment Claims: Buyer Beware," published in The John Liner Review, (May 2006)
"Alternative Dispute Resolution in Insurance Coverage Disputes," published in The John Liner Review, (November 2006)
"Re-Insurance Arbitrations Bad For Insurance Companies and Bad for Their Policyholders," published in The John Liner Review, (Spring 2007).
Speaking Engagements
Mr. Bender is a frequent speaker on insurance policy enforcement matters at regional meetings of ACC (Association of Corporate Counsel) and RIMS (Risk & Insurance Management Society). Mr. Bender has also spoken at the Mealey's Insurance Litigation 101 Conference Series.
"Meet Your Counterpart: The Lawyer You Didn't Think You Needed - An Insurance Discussion," Association of Corporate Counsel San Diego Chapter, San Diego, CA (November 10, 2009)
"Insurance Recovery Tactics in Tough Times," Association of Corporate Counsel Nevada Chapter, Las Vegas, NV (September 29, 2009)
"Maximizing Your Insurance Recovery," Washington Association of Corporate Counsel Chapter, Seattle, WA (July 29, 2009)
Bar Admissions
California, U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, Eastern, Southern Districts of California
Memberships
State Bar of California, American Bar Association (Insurance Section), LEGATUS
