MELINDA W. EBELHAR

Melinda’s practice is primarily focused on insurance and employment issues. In the insurance area this includes analyzing coverage under liability insurance policies and rendering opinions regarding same, overseeing litigation on behalf of insurer clients (including monitoring defense counsel invoices), and litigating coverage and so-called “bad faith” cases on behalf of insurer clients. In the employment area this includes reviewing employment practices and policies for clients to insure they are in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and defending employment-related litigation. Melinda spent eight years as an associate general counsel for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, representing the group of insurance companies in litigation, rendering coverage opinions, overseeing outside counsel, and giving presentations to claims personnel on various topics of interest related to insurance.

Melinda also has a particular sub-specialty in appellate law, and she has represented clients in the state and federal appellate courts on a broad spectrum of issues ranging from medical malpractice (including cases which have helped to shape California law) to general liability (including public entity defense) to insurance coverage.

Melinda frequently presents on insurance-related issues. Past topics have included current trends in insurance, environmental issues, toxic torts, and uninsured/underinsured motorist issues with a side foray into no-fault automobile insurance. Previously, she served as an adjunct professor at Glendale College of Law, teaching Conflicts of Law and Civil Procedure review to graduating students.

Melinda also volunteers with Happy Strays Animal Rescue, a not-for-profit rescue organization that cares for and re-homes orphaned, abandoned and stray cats.

Education

• Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, JD, 1983
• Occidental College, AB, 1979; cum laude, psychology/theater

Admissions

• California
• New York
• United States District Courts: Northern District of California, Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Southern District of California
• United States Court of Appeals: Ninth Circuit

Representative Reported Case

• Niguel Ridge Homeowners Ass'n v. American Intern. Specialty Lines Ins. Co. 2007 WL 247707
• Buena Vista Mines, Inc. v. Industrial Indemnity Co. 87 Cal.App.4th 482 (2001)
• Waters v. Young 100 F.3d 1437 (9th Cir. 1996)
• Zanghi v. Niagara Frontier Transp. Com'n, 626 N.Y.S.2d 23 (N.Y. 1995)
• Finkelstein v. 20th Century Ins. Co. 11 Cal.App.4th 926 (1992)
• Storch v. Silverman 186 Cal.App.3d 671 (1986)