Matthew F. Batezel
Partner
Matt is an east-coaster at heart. He lived in the Philadelphia area until his family moved to Southern California when he was nine years old. However, his sports loyalty will forever be tied to Philadelphia, along with his love of cheesesteaks. As a young boy, after realizing he would never make it as a professional baseball player, Matt watched his uncle in trial, and has wanted to be a lawyer ever since.
As a practicing attorney, Matt has worked exclusively in the field of insurance, primarily in bad faith litigation. This practice has permitted him to gain expertise in all aspects of insurance including coverage, bad faith, trials, and appeals. In 2007, Matt became a founding member of the Southern California branch of Pacific Law Partners.
He enjoys his life outside of work with his wife and two teenage daughters. Matt believes he may perhaps be the only California lawyer that enjoys playing ice hockey and performing in community musical theater. Matt is also an Adjunct Professor at Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, California.
Bar Admissions
California, 1996
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Education
California State University, Fullerton (B.A.)
Loyola Law School (J.D.)
Published Articles
“You Want Another EUO of My Client? Why?,” Covered Events, 2018, Issue 1
“Is Elder Abuse the New Path to Extracontractual Damages?,” In-House Defense Quarterly, Spring 2017
“The Plaintiffs’ Bar Strikes (with) Bock,” For The Defense, May 2016
“Application of the ‘Business’ Judgment Rule for Non-Business: Defense of the
Community Association Board of Directors,” March 2007
Seminars
“Below Foundation Plumbing Leaks - Investigation, Damage Assessment, Coverage Issues,” Southern California Claims Association, July 10, 2014
Significant Appellate Decisions
Hai Huang v. State Farm General Ins. Co. (2018) 2018 WL 4626228
Rashidi v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co. (2017) 2017 WL 6379936
Munoz v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co. (2017) 2017 WL 5185062
Fogel v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co. (2016) 2016 WL 6081779
Paslay v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co. (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 639
Upasani v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co. (2014) 227 Cal.App.4th 509
San Miguel Community Ass’n v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co. (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 798
Lincoln Fountain Villas Homeowners Ass’n v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Ins. Co. (2006) 136 Cal.App.4th 999
1231 Euclid Homeowners Ass’n v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. (2006) 135 Cal.App.4th 1008