Singleton Schreiber attorneys Leslie A. Brueckner, Ben Siminou, Jonna Lothyan, and Keely Kleven were recently featured in Law360 in an article titled “Justices Decline Appeal Over State Law Question Certification.” In the article, the attorneys are recognized for representing plaintiffs LaWanda Small and Michelle Moriarty in a significant class action lawsuit challenging how life insurance companies apply California's notice requirements before denying benefits.
The article outlines the legal team’s argument that the Ninth Circuit should have certified the question to the California Supreme Court regarding the interpretation of Insurance Code Sections 10113.71 and 10113.72. “Guidance is particularly warranted here in light of the Ninth Circuit's uniquely standardless approach to certification,” the petition stated. Their effort aimed to clarify how liability should be assessed when insurers fail to meet statutory notice obligations before terminating life insurance policies.
