Joseph Jean Lands on Law360’s Insurance MVPs List for 2015

In its profile of Jean, Law360 reports that this year he won a more than $55 million judgment in a six-week Alameda County (California) jury trial against three AIG units. The lawsuit stemmed from AIG's efforts to denying coverage for product liability claims against the Victaulic Company in bad faith. The verdict included $9.3 million for breach of contract and $46 million in punitive damages, because the jury found AIG's efforts to avoid coverage to be malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent. The August trial victory came after three years of litigation spanning three jurisdictions and five different actions.

Jean said he and his team worked very hard not to overstep their bounds with the jury and to tell the story very simply, building their credibility over the course of the trial.

Jean also said he will never forget his cross-examination of one of AIG’s lead claims handlers.

“She testified that her lawyers told her 'facts don't matter in this litigation,' and then everything stopped,” he said. “The next day, she took the Fifth Amendment."

Jean added that this was a particularly satisfying win because AIG was trying to take back years of promises it had made to Victaulic, and Victaulic stood up to AIG and said "No, we are not going to stand by and allow you to do this, not without a fight."

"Unfortunately, this happens all too often, and too many policyholders think they can't fight back,” Jean said. “By representing policyholders, I get to do something good for people and help. [For] so many of my clients, it would be a devastating event if they didn't get the coverage they bargained for, and when I get that coverage for them, it really feels good."

Read Law360's full Insurance MVP profile on Joseph Jean here.