Pugh, Douglas F

Vedica Puri, Partner
Complex Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith

Ms. Puri is an experienced trial attorney with expertise in complex insurance coverage claims and bad faith suits against insurance companies. Ms. Puri routinely handles first party and third party coverage cases including property and errors and omissions claims.  Ms. Puri is passionate about ensuring insurance companies honor legitimate claims and believes in implementing an effective case strategy early with tenacity and integrity.

Exercising excellent judgment and common sense coupled with an ability to persuasively communicate, Ms. Puri routinely obtains positive results for her clients.  

Highlights

• Achieved combined settlements and verdicts of over $15 million for clients
• Set California precedent with trial court insurance coverage ruling that a waiver of invoices are damages
• Serves as an appointed Judge Pro Tem for San Francisco Superior Court  
• Selected as a Northern California Rising Stars 2010

Representative Case Examples

Successfully resolved technology errors & omissions claim for software/hardware company sued by Lockheed Martin resulting in ruling of first impression in California

Negotiated 100% payment of claims on several complex, high-end homeowner claims

Obtained coverage for law firms, architects and other professionals accused of malpractice

Convinced insurance company to reverse decision to rescind malpractice policy for small business and settle malpractice claim against insured

Professional Affiliation

Board Member, The Bar Association of San Francisco Foundation

Former Appointed Member, State Bar of California, Insurance Law Committee

Member, Consumer Attorneys of California

Member, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association

Commitment to the Community

Current President and Board Member, Telegraph Hill Dwellers

Appointed Vice-Chair, Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group to San Francisco Port Commission

Speaking Engagements

The E&O Claim: A Mock Case Presented to the Audience as Jury April 2010

Advocating the Policyholder's Position in an E&O Claim September 2008

CEB Lecture Series: Civil Litigation Recent Developments Program January 2006 2008

The Ins & Out of Presenting a Claim From a Risk Manager's Perspective January 2007

Education

J.D., 1994, Santa Clara University School of Law, Editor of the Advocate, Moot Court Champion

B.A., 1991, English Literature, St. Xavier University, Bombay, India, first class distinction