Spotlight – Member Firm: Hollins Law, APC
By Rachel Dollar – Smith Dollar PC
Fearless trial advocacy is a great way to describe the litigation approach employed by Hollins Law, a Top 50 Orange County law firm established more than 30 years ago. It is recognized as a preeminent, AV-rated firm.
Led by Kathleen Carter, a leading Southern California litigator and expert in litigation management, Hollins Law provides a wide range of representation in various practice areas, including Business Law and Litigation, Catastrophic Injury, Employment Litigation and Insurance Litigation, among others. However, Hollins Law’s practice – no matter the underlying area – leads back to a singularly unique quality few firms possess among today’s overcrowded courtrooms: the ability to try cases.
The extensive trial experience of the firm’s attorneys allows the firm to provide a cost-effective litigation approach that attracts clients. Hollins Law embodies the adage that you can always settle a case that is prepared for trial, but it is impossible to try the case that was only prepared to settle. It is this balance that Hollins Law provides to the great benefit of its clients.
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How long as the firm been in business? Hollins Law was founded over 33 years ago. We have long histories with many of our clients.
How large is your firm? We have 12 attorneys all of whom are experienced litigators and 5 with extensive trial experience – 5 partners and 7 associates.
Who are some of your firm’s corporate and institutional clients? Arch Specialty Insurance Company, Campagnolo North America, Inc., Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Great American Insurance Company, Henry Schein, Inc., KSL II Management Operations, LLC, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Mid-Century Insurance Company, RiverStone Claims Management, LLC, Shanghai Linzheng Import & Export Co., Ltd., Stemtech International, Inc., Time Warner Cable, Truck Insurance Exchange, United Rentals, Inc., United States Liability Insurance Company, Zim American Integrated Shipping Services Company, Inc.
Has the firm or its partners received any special recognitions or awards? Our Managing Principal, Kathleen Carter was recently admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates, joining Andrew S. Hollins, another principal. We are proud to have two attorneys admitted to membership of this prestigious organization. Andrew Hollins has been awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for the past six years. Christine Arnold, a partner with the firm, was also recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2013 and 2014.
Does the firm have any recent victories or reported decisions you would like to share?
Victories
- Tried commercial dispute between multiple corporations and shareholders regarding stock disputes and ownership rights obtaining verdict for client corporation in excess of $1.5 million.
- Defended successfully class action litigation against large international corporation defeating certification of class claims under the Song Beverly Act and California Consumer Legal Remedies Act.
- Won defense jury verdict in failure to engage in interactive process and disability discrimination case on behalf of employer involving effects of medication and transient disability.
- Successfully defended overtime, meal and rest period case by a part-time school teacher and administrative assistant against a private school employer.
- Obtained defense verdict in age discrimination claim by senior management employee against non-profit organization.
- Obtained jury award in collection claim while successfully defending cross-complaint alleging FDCPA violations.
- Successfully defended multi-plaintiff lawsuit involving claims of improper condominium conversion in Los Angeles County asserting violations of Los Angeles Municipal Code and Government Code as well as unfair competition claims.
- Obtained several defense jury verdicts in bad faith lawsuits against commercial insurers with 7 and 8 figure demands.
- Prevailed as lead attorney in a class action matter in Oklahoma alleging over $1 billion in damages against a leading financial institution for unfair business practices.
- Won more than 25 defense verdicts in insurance bad faith cases where demands ranged from seven figures to nine figures.
- Obtained a unanimous verdict for the defense in a quadriplegic injury case for which he replaced the defense team only 45 days before trial.
- Re-tried successfully on behalf of a commercial insurer two cases where the original verdicts were the largest individual awards ever levied against the client.
Reported Decisions
Recently, our firm obtained a favorable published appellate opinion in Mount Vernon Fire Ins. Corp vs. Oxnard Hospitality Enterprises Inc. (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 876. The Second District Court of Appeals for California affirmed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Mount Vernon Fire Insurance Corporation based on application of an assault and battery policy exclusion to bar coverage of an underlying judgment arising out of a lawsuit brought by a dancer employed by Oxnard Hospitality Enterprise, Inc. at a nightclub.
Other reported decisions include class action defense of international company on alleged violation of Song Beverly Credit Card Act of 1971, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and the Unfair Competition Law. Published decision in Archer v. United Rentals (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 807.
Further, the Fourth District Appellate Court of California upheld a verdict in favor of Hollins Law in Nelson v. Avondale Homeowners Assn. (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 857. The case originated from an action in which plaintiff sought an injunction against his HOA after his patients were denied entry to his home by the association’s security staff.
How does your firm support the community? Hollins Law has an active pro bono program. In fact, Andrew S. Hollins has been recognized by the State Board of Governors and the Orange County Bar Association for pro bono legal services. The firm also donates to and engages in events to support local charities.
How did your firm come to know NAMWOLF? Why did you join? We joined NAMWOLF because it is a leader in promoting the same core values that our firm shares: diversity, professional collaboration and commitment to excellence. We represent our clients aggressively and want to provide that service to corporations that we have not previously had the opportunity to work with.
Why is diversity important to your firm? Hollins Law is proud of its diversity in employees, supervisors, key decision makers and attorneys. We intend to continue to maintain a significantly diverse work force. This Firm is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available person in every job. Firm policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful.
How has your firm benefitted from its involvement with NAMWOLF? Although we are new, we have made valuable contacts and have connected with other firms in our geographical area that we may not have otherwise, and have been exposed to numerous potential opportunities.
For how long have you been involved with NAMWOLF, and what has your involvement entailed? We recently joined NAMWOLF in February 2014. To date we have attended the 2014 Business Meeting and are preparing to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting. In the interim we have been trying to learn more about the organization and how we can contribute to it.