Edison J. Demler

Edison J. Demler was born on November 23, 1916, and passed away on April 15, 2008, at the age of 91. He received both his Bachelor and law degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, served in the Navy during World War II, and was a highly successful trial attorney with an extraordinary record … Continue reading Edison J. Demler

Premises & Professional Liability

Demler, Armstrong & Rowland has successfully defended property owners in a wide variety of cases arising out of the ownership, maintenance and use of commercial and residential property and alleged landowner responsibility for criminal acts of third parties. Since the firm also specializes in the fields of insurance coverage and construction litigation, we also assist … Continue reading Premises & Professional Liability

Insurance Coverage

In the course of handling hundreds of insurance coverage matters for insurers and insureds, Demler, Armstrong & Rowland has saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in defense and indemnification costs by timely identification of appropriate insurance coverage issues and rapid prosecution of declaratory relief actions to establish the rights and liabilities of its clients. … Continue reading Insurance Coverage

Insurance Bad Faith

For nearly three decades, Demler, Armstrong & Rowland has been a leader in the field of insurance bad faith, representing various carriers in litigation arising under commercial, homeowner, auto, life and disability policies. The firm has handled bad faith matters in California in both state and federal courts, and has also successfully defended insurers in … Continue reading Insurance Bad Faith

Construction Litigation

For over 20 years, Demler, Armstrong & Rowland has successfully represented contractors, subcontractors and product manufacturers in lawsuits arising out of allegedly defective workmanship or products in thousands of residential and commercial construction projects throughout California. The firm’s construction attorneys are well-known throughout the state and are frequently asked to speak at industry functions and … Continue reading Construction Litigation

Casualty Defense

Demler, Armstrong & Rowland, LLP, is a litigation firm, first and foremost. We are called upon by our clients to try their toughest cases, frequently having the files transferred to us on the eve of trial. Our focus over the years has been insurance bad faith, including insurance coverage, and high-end personal injury cases as … Continue reading Casualty Defense

Asbestos Litigation/Products Liability

Demler, Armstrong and Rowland has extensive trial and litigation experience in products liability; toxic tort and asbestos cases usually found only in much larger firms. Our lawyers have represented dozens of product defendants in hundreds of lung cancer and mesothelioma cases in State and Federal Courts throughout California, and partner John Brydon serves as National … Continue reading Asbestos Litigation/Products Liability

Wigfall v. R. K. Properties

Plaintiff rented an apartment in defendant’s apartment complex. During an altercation she was pushed or fell through a floor to ceiling window on the second floor, rendering her paraplegic. Plaintiff contended that the window should have been protected with safety glass or protective bars and said she had complained about the flimsy window before her … Continue reading Wigfall v. R. K. Properties

Sun v. Winter

Assault and battery claim arising out of a “gang fight” between two groups of high school students. Plaintiff sued the parents of his assailants, claiming they were vicariously liable per Civil Code section 1714.1 and Education Code section 48904. He claimed a permanent brain injury and severe memory deficits. Defendants argued that there was no … Continue reading Sun v. Winter

Reynolds Seafood v. Matlow Kennedy

Lawsuit against a commercial realtor for breach of contract and fiduciary relationship wherein plaintiff claimed that his real estate broker negligently failed to investigate whether the City of Long Beach would allow him to operate a seafood processing business before the lease was signed. Plaintiff claimed a total of $8,600,000 in damages for lost profits, … Continue reading Reynolds Seafood v. Matlow Kennedy

Paragon v. Weber-Madgwick

Following a flood at a condominium project which caused over $2 million in damages, developer Paragon and its insurer, North American Specialty Insurance Company sued defendant Weber-Madgwick for contractual indemnity and subrogation, claiming that the defendant’s grading operations on the project created an artificial dam which flooded after being filled with rain water.Weber-Madgwick contended that … Continue reading Paragon v. Weber-Madgwick

Niguel Summit v. Zanderson

The owner of a Laguna Niguel apartment complex sued the general contractor and its subcontractors, alleging various construction defects and associated damages. Our client, the drywall subcontractor for the project, was accused of creating structural and fireproofing deficiencies in the project, and was sued for negligence, breach of express and implied warranty, breach of contract … Continue reading Niguel Summit v. Zanderson

Marzbetuny v. Safeco

This was a case of insurance bad faith resulting from a claim for earthquake damages following the Northridge earthquake. Safeco determined that the damage to the dwelling was below the plaintiff’s $35,000 deductible but plaintiff’s expert claimed that there was major hidden damage to the home caused primarily by the movement of a 30 ton … Continue reading Marzbetuny v. Safeco

Martinez v. Willamette Industries

Personal injury lawsuit wherein plaintiff claimed over $200,000 in present and future medical expenses for multi-level lumbar surgery and fusion following a commercial truck rollover on the I-5 Freeway near Castaic. Plaintiff contended that the defendant improperly loaded waxed produce boxes in his flatbed trailer, causing the trailer and cab to flip over when the … Continue reading Martinez v. Willamette Industries

Lampert v. Evanston Insurance Company

Federal court lawsuit for insurance bad faith. Plaintiff was an attorney who obtained an errors and omissions policy with the defendant and later sought a defense and indemnity against a claim by the Lutheran Synod Foundation for the alleged conversion of $1.9 million from an estate which the insured was hired to administer. Coverage counsel … Continue reading Lampert v. Evanston Insurance Company

Khawaja v. Toyota Motor Sales

Plaintiff Hussain Khawaja purchased a new 2005 Lexus from Lexus of Westminister and, after driving it about 3,000 miles, complained to the dealer of rattling noises from the dashboard and driver’s door. Repairs were performed on several occasions over the next several months and plaintiff filed suit against Lexus, asking that they repurchase the vehicle. … Continue reading Khawaja v. Toyota Motor Sales

Handley v. Springdale West Apartments

Plaintiff, a 31-year-old African American tenant at the Springdale West Apartments, claimed that he was attacked by defendant’s security guards and repeatedly subjected to pepper spray, baton strikes and choke holds. After receiving emergency medical treatment at St. Mary’s hospital, plaintiff was charged with battery and spent six days in jail. Thereafter, the charges were … Continue reading Handley v. Springdale West Apartments

Dunham v. 20th Century

Insurance bad faith case where plaintiffs sued their insurer under various theories, claiming that they were owed an additional $140,000 for earthquake damages, despite the fact that the carrier had already paid $630,000. We cross-complained against the insureds, contending that they had made material misrepresentations and submitted some fraudulent receipts in the course of presenting … Continue reading Dunham v. 20th Century

DeArmond v. Shanfeld

Lawsuit for retaliatory eviction, violation of Rent Stabilization Ordinance and negligence seeking damages for emotional distress, attorneys fees and punitive damages. Plaintiff contended that defendants unlawfully attempted to evict her and improperly sued for unlawful detainer under a pretext, all for the purposes of raising the rents in violation of the Rent Stabilization Act. Defendants … Continue reading DeArmond v. Shanfeld

Bubonic v. Safeco

Plaintiffs Thomas and Mary Ann Bubonic claimed that while they were staying at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Rancho Mirage, jewelry with a value of over $300,000 was stolen from them. Their insurer, Safeco, denied the claim based upon their lack of cooperation and based upon Safeco’s conclusion that the theft simply did not occur. … Continue reading Bubonic v. Safeco

Barnett v. Safeco

Heavy rains entered the home of Richard and Paula Barnett as a result of defective roof construction and surface water against the home. First National paid $33,000 on the claim but the insured sued for breach of contract and bad faith, claiming that at least $70,000 was due for the damages to the home, that … Continue reading Barnett v. Safeco

Arshad v. Colonial Penn

Bad faith claim following Oakland Hills fire which totally destroyed plaintiffs’ hillside residence. Plaintiffs were paid $320,000 but after discovering that plaintiffs had lied about their living expense claim, defendant denied further payments. Demand $1,098,000 in repair costs plus “millions” in punitive damages, plus $185,000 on contents, plus $432,000 for six years loss of use. … Continue reading Arshad v. Colonial Penn

Bruce Sample

Bruce Sample joined Demler, Armstrong & Rowland shortly after graduating from Southwestern University School of Law, where he attended on a full academic scholarship, was a member of the Law Review and graduated with Honors in the top 10% of his class. In over two decades of practice at the firm, Bruce was a shining … Continue reading Bruce Sample

Timothy Lippert

Timothy Lippert, a litigation and trial partner, practices personal injury defense and insurance bad faith litigation.  Early in his career, Mr. Lippert gained experience in employment litigation and defending physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice lawsuits.  He handles all types of insurance defense matters, having taken many cases through arbitrations and trials.  He currently focuses … Continue reading Timothy Lippert

Paul M. Bessette

Paul Bessette is a senior litigator with over twenty-five years of experience in corporate defense, products liability, construction defect, toxic tort and asbestos litigation.  Mr. Bessette’s work has included all aspects of litigation, including multiple trials.  He has represented a wide array of clients, including national defense contractors, elevator/escalator manufacturers, construction contractors, motor vehicle manufactures, … Continue reading Paul M. Bessette

Randy A. Moss

Randy A. Moss is an attorney in the firm’s San Francisco office, where his practice focuses on insurance bad faith litigation, personal injury defense, and general civil litigation. He has extensive experience in insurance defense litigation, representing the interests of insurance companies and protecting the interests of their insureds. He has also handled professional negligence … Continue reading Randy A. Moss

David A. Ring

David Ring has broad experience in insurance coverage and litigation, including commercial general liability, homeowners, auto, fidelity, directors and officers, professional liability, and commercial crime, as well as insurance bad faith. His practice also includes appellate work; personal injury defense; commercial lease disputes and the economic loss rule; product liability; homeowner liability for injury to unlicensed … Continue reading David A. Ring

John R. Brydon

John R. Brydon, the firm’s managing partner of the San Francisco office, is an AV-Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates for nearly 30 years, where he holds the rank of Diplomate and has been a Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law and Diplomat of … Continue reading John R. Brydon

Brian C. Dunn

Brian Dunn, a litigation and trial partner in the firm’s Long Beach office, specializes in the representation of contractors, manufacturers, and material suppliers in complex construction, product liability, contract, and business disputes.  His extensive litigation experience has encompassed multi-million dollar construction defect claims involving residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental projects, multi-million dollar product liability claims, … Continue reading Brian C. Dunn

Edward P. Tugade

As a partner in the firm’s San Francisco office, Mr. Tugade helps clients with a range of cases involving products liability, general liability, professional liability, premises liability, and toxic torts litigation. He has worked extensively on multiple trials, appeals, and in the management of complex cases in different jurisdictions, both as, and with, national counsel … Continue reading Edward P. Tugade

Long Beach

4500 E. Pacific Coast Highway, 4th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90804

San Francisco

101 Montgomery St., Suite 1800
San Francisco, CA 94104

Sacramento

3626 Fair Oaks Blvd., Suite 100
Sacramento, California 95864

Walnut Creek

1990 N California Blvd.
8th Floor
Walnut Creek, CA 94596