Sandra E. Stone

Sandra is a fourth generation Californian with roots in Orange County where her mother grew up; the Bay Area where her dad is from; and Los Angeles where she was born and raised. With a childhood filled with dodging mudslides, wildfires, and earth movement, it was not such a surprise that she ended up practicing property insurance law.

For the last 30 years, Sandra has worked on all aspects of insurance, from coverage to bad faith trials and appeals. A significant amount of her work has been handling catastrophe litigation, including the Northridge earthquake and more recent California wildfires. Sandra enjoys both the intellectual challenge of her practice, as well as the opportunity to work collaboratively with clients on difficult issues.

In 2011, Sandra became Pacific Law Partner’s managing partner. Outside of work, she is adjusting to empty nesting and tries to go to yoga as often as possible.

Bar Admissions

California, 1992

U.S. District Court for Central, Eastern and Northern Districts of California

U.S. Court of Appeals for 9th Circuit

Education

University of California, Los Angeles (B.A.)

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings) (J.D.)

Published Articles

“Subrogation,” Contributing Editor, California Practice Guide Insurance Litigation, 2011

“Back to the Future? Views from Northridge on the Next Big One”, Property Claims Association of the Pacific Newsletter, May 2008

“Real Property Insurance Law: The Changing Landscape of Coverage”, 2001

“Duty to Defend Resident Relatives”, Property Claims Forum of Northern California, June 2000

“Kibbee Kids: Insurance Coverage in Dual-Custody Situations”, co-author, Daily Journal, March 18, 1999

“Loss Causes: One-Year Provisions in Earthquake-Damage Cases,” co-author, Daily Journal, November 20, 1997

“Issues Relating to Insurance Coverage for Pollution Incidents”, co-author, Property Loss Managers Conference, 1995

“Statutory and Case Authority for Policy Appraisals in California,” Property Claims Association of the Pacific Newsletter, 1994

Seminars

"Review of the CEA Policy – Issues of Concern for Adjusters and Insurers", Property Claims Association of the Pacific Meeting, March 20, 2008

“Trends in Institutional Litigation,” LHB Pacific Law Partners, LLP Hosted Seminar, March 10, 2005

“Catastrophe Claims: Issues and Answers: Lessons From Northridge and Future Implications,” LHB Pacific Law Partners, LLP Hosted Seminar, San Francisco, CA, October 23, 2003

“Real Property Insurance Law: The Changing Landscape of Coverage,” CEB Presentation, San Francisco, October 12, 2001

Significant Appellate Decisions

Vulk v. State Farm General Insurance Company (2021) 69 Cal.App.5th 243

HealthNOW Medical Center, Inc. v. State Farm General Insurance Co. (N.D. Cal. 2020) 506 F.Supp.3d 864

Karen Trinh, DDS, Inc. v. State Farm General Insurance Company (N.D. Cal. 2020) 2020 WL 7696080

Auburn Woods I Homeowners Association v. State Farm General Insurance Company (2020) 56 Cal.App.5th 717

Forest Meadows Owners Ass'n v. State Farm General Ins. Co. (9th Cir. 2014) 569 Fed.Appx. 523

Peet v. State Farm General Insurance Co. (2014) 2014 WL 2738355

Finley v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Ins. Company (2012) 2012 WL 4097304

Village Northridge Homeowners Ass'n v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. (2010) 50 Cal.4th 913

Varanand v. State Farm Ins. Co. (9th Cir. 2005) 127 Fed.Appx. 947

Ark Telecommunications, Inc. v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. (2002) 2002 WL 80607W

Professional Associations

Northern California Super Lawyer, 2004-2005, 2013-2023