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Kaufman Dolowich LLPPartner
Louie H. Castoria
Pro

Louie H. Castoria

5.0
1 review

425 California Street, Suite 2100, San Francisco, CA 94104

Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions, Accountants and Actuaries, Real Estate Professionals and 20 more

About Louie H. Castoria

Louie H. Castoria represents and defends financial and professional services clients, including accountants, lawyers, insurance and real estate agents and brokers, and businesses covered under “miscellaneous” professional liability policies, in venues throughout California and in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Mr. Castoria’s practice includes securities and class action defense in industries ranging from products to online businesses. He also represents insurance companies as coverage, monitoring, regulatory and litigating counsel; performs claims audits; and writes insurance policies.

Mr. Castoria recognizes that being an effective advocate requires a broad understanding of the client’s business or practice. Litigation sometimes exacerbates the client’s economic or regulatory exposure, so while a vigorous defense is needed, all options must be considered early in the case. Mr. Castoria’s problem-solving skills are often key to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. As a California-trained mediator, he looks beyond “positions” to identify the core interests at stake, and follows the motto “Box? What box?”

In addition, Mr. Castoria is an award-winning writer. In his legal practice and his frequent scholarly and other writings he follows the journalistic edict “don’t bury the lead,” always conveying the essential information and the main argument at the outset. He also writes a quarterly column on E&O avoidance for National Underwriter Property & Casualty 360 Magazine and a quarterly column on E&O avoidance for the Daily Journal, California’s largest newspaper for the legal community.

A leader in education, Mr. Castoria is chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Insurance Educational Association and has developed many continuing education programs for lawyers and other professionals. He has represented municipal school districts and higher education institutions in tort and employment matters. Mr. Castoria is on the Board of Directors of the Professional Liability Defense Federation. He authored three chapters of Agents of America’s series, Insurance Agency Risk Management (Thomson Reuters, 2013 - 2014), and two units of the revised curriculum for the Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) designation, at the request of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS).

Mr. Castoria has lectured throughout the country on insurance, tort reform and technology issues. He has twice chaired the PLUS D&O West Symposium, chaired the PLUS Events Committee, and has served on the PLUS International Conference Committee. He is an invited lecturer at seminars sponsored by legal and insurance industry groups, including PLUS, the California State Bar Association, Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West, Institute for International Research, American Conference Institute, Insurance Federation of New York, and Pacific Claims Executive Association, among others. He also conducts mock trials at insurance industry and professional organization meetings, often illustrating how liability exposures to insurers, reinsurers and businesses can be reduced.

Mr. Castoria writes a weekly humor column for his local newspaper, the Half Moon Bay Review.

Awards

Recognition

•2022, 5.0 AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
•AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
•Northern California Super Lawyers (2007 - 2016)

Publications

•Grumpy Old Guy Finally Bows To Technology, Daily Journal, author Louie Castoria, Esq., June 2, 2022
•COVID Recovery Trends: Management & Legal Challenges, PropertyCasualty360, author Louie Castoria, April 5, 2022
•What Sets Your Law Firm Apart From Other Plaintiffs’ Firms? Daily Journal, by Louie Castoria, Esq., 1-21-22
•When Will Civil Rights Lawsuits No Longer Be Necessary? Bloomberg Law, article by Louie Castoria, 12/29/2021
•Continuing Education & Reducing Professional Liability Claims, PropertyCasualty 360, by Louie Castoria
•How to Bring a Case to the Supreme Court and Win, The Exhibit, featuring Louie Castoria
•Uncapping medical malpractice damages-a law of unintended consequences?, Daily Journal, article by Louie Castoria, November 18, 2021
•Moderating Risks in the Risk Society, Property Casualty 360, by Louie Castoria, Sept 23, 2021
•Five Lousy Reasons to Fire and Sue your Lawyer, The Daily Journal, August 19, 2021, by Louie Castoria
•Professors in Action, “The Exhibit”, Golden Gate University School of Law Litigation Center featuring Louie Castoria, Esq.
•Dog days of summer: Road trips with Buster entail unique risks, PropertyCasualty360.com, August 5, 2021, by Louie Castoria, Esq.
•Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck obtains Supreme Court of the United States decision on behalf of our client: perspective from Louie Castoria, Esq., our lead attorney on the case
•Thomas More’s Win in KDV Supreme Court Case Protects All Charitable Donors
•Jump Starting In-Office Collaboration: the Lunch Manifesto
•Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck’s Donor Privacy Case Heard Today by U.S. Supreme Court
•Supreme Court will hear KDV’s First Amendment case April 26, 2021
•COVID-19 recovery claims: Can insurance avoid the predictable?, PropertyCasualty360
•U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Donor Disclosure Cases, The NonProfit Times
•Insurance Professionals Need Practical Training Now More Than Ever, PropertyCasualty 360
•Legal malpractice claims will rise in 2020, warn experts, The Daily Journal, ft. Louie Castoria
•Client Communications During COVID-19, Daily Journal
•Seven signs a claim is about to go wrong, PropertyCasualty360
•What Happens If Real Estate Agents Give Advice Outside the Scope of Their License? Berxi
•A job for Clark Kent, and why he needs saving, PropertyCasualty360
•Is there a duty to read insurance contracts? PropertyCasualty360
•The IEA looks to help insurance professionals boost their writing skills, Property Casualty 360, Ft. Louie Castoria
•Free, and worth it! Property & Casualty 360
•To Market, To Market! Daily Journal
•Risk Management During Trial, Property Casualty 360
•Four manageable risks that will impact the insurance industry in 2019, Best’s Review
•Insurance Litigator Delights Readers with Humor Column, Daily Journal, ft. Louie Castoria
•Settle and Sue: Settlements as Preludes to Malpractice Claims
•Why The Human Touch Matters When Buying Insurance, PropertyCasualty 360
•Takeaways From DisputeSuite V. Score: Uncommon, Not Unique, Law360
•State high court clarifies prevailing party attorney fees, Daily Journal, ft. Louie Castoria
•Working With Expert Witnesses: Tips That Are Not In The Civil Rules
•5 New Year’s Resolutions, Insurance Thought Leadership
•Public Records Access V. Privacy: California’s Struggle, Law360
•No ‘Gotcha’ Privilege Waivers Under Calif. Public Records Act, Law360, by Louie Castoria
•8 Ways to Train a Junior Lawyer, Big Law Business, by Louie Castoria
•Breaking Up (with clients) Is Hard To Do, Daily Journal, by Louie Castoria
•3 Cs causing clients’ claims, Daily Journal
•Buyer’s remorse breeds buyer’s recourse, Daily Journal
•How to Change Law Firms at 60, The Recorder
•No Defense Reimbursement For Insurers In Wash., Law360
•When Wrecking Balls Strike, PropertyCasualty360
•A Guide to Wrecking Balls, PropertyCasualty360
•Fiduciary: Underrated Risk?, PropertyCasualty360
•NRAA Grows Up Fast, PropertyCasualty360
•Ready for NRRA?, PropertyCasualty360

News

•When Will Civil Rights Lawsuits No Longer Be Necessary? Bloomberg Law, article by Louie Castoria, 12/29/2021
•Continuing Education & Reducing Professional Liability Claims, PropertyCasualty 360, by Louie Castoria
•How to Bring a Case to the Supreme Court and Win, The Exhibit, featuring Louie Castoria
•Uncapping medical malpractice damages-a law of unintended consequences?, Daily Journal, article by Louie Castoria, November 18, 2021
•Moderating Risks in the Risk Society, Property Casualty 360, by Louie Castoria, Sept 23, 2021
•U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Donor Disclosure Cases, The NonProfit Times
•U.S. Supreme Court Accepts KDV First Amendment Case
•Insurance Professionals Need Practical Training Now More Than Ever, PropertyCasualty 360
•Legal malpractice claims will rise in 2020, warn experts, The Daily Journal, ft. Louie Castoria
•Client Communications During COVID-19, Daily Journal
•Seven signs a claim is about to go wrong, PropertyCasualty360
•What Happens If Real Estate Agents Give Advice Outside the Scope of Their License? Berxi
•Professional Liability Defense Federation Meeting
•Louie Castoria Shares Highlights of his “Baby Boom Goes Bust” Spark Session at 30th Annual PLUS Conference

Speaking Engagements

•MCCA Global Tec Forum - April 4-5, 2019: Including the “Invisible” Minority: How Tech Can Assist Blind and Low-Vision Lawyers Lead the Way
•Creative Civil Litigation Strategy - Hosted by The Golden Gate University School of Law Litigation Center, February 6, 2019
•2018 PLUS Conference in San Diego November 7-9
•Louie Castoria, Presenter at Professional Liability Defense Federation Conference (Oct. 3-5, 2018): Ethical Lessons in True [Amusing] Stories: Wheel ... of ... Misfortune!
•Louie H. Castoria, Panelist at 2017 PLUS Conference
•PLUS Free Webinar - “Liability Insurance for Young Attorneys” ft. Louie Castoria
•Louie Castoria Presenter at 2017 Professional Liability Defense Federation Annual Meeting in Chicago: Immigration Issues as Triggers for Professional Liability Exposures
•Surplus Line Association of California March 2015 Seminar: Box-What Box? Thinking Beyond the Same
•American Conference Institute’s Advanced Forum on Insurance-Linked Securities: Mitigating Risk and Enhancing Rewards Through Implementation of New Catastrophe Modeling Practices in a Post-Sandy Climate
•Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals 2014 Annual Conference: The Regulatory Side of Admitted Claims-Made Professional Liability Insurance Policies

 

Louie H. Castoria (San Francisco, California) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Louie H. Castoria got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 23
    • Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions
    • Accountants and Actuaries
    • Real Estate Professionals
    • Insurance Coverage & Litigation
    • Insurance Agents and Brokers
    • Reinsurance Audits & Disputes
    • Directors and Officers (D&O)
    • Financial Services
    • General Liability
    • Securities / Broker-Dealers
    • Directors & Officers Liability
    • Bad Faith Litigation
    • Professional Liability Errors & Omissions
    • Billing Services (Medical and Non- Medical)
    • Notaries, Consulting and Other 'Miscellaneous' Professions
    • Homeowners' Associations
    • Securities Industry Professionals
    • Medical Malpractice and Health Care
    • Consumer Financial Services
    • FINRA/AAA Arbitrations (Customer & Industry Disputes)
    • Regulatory Defense and Counseling
    • Insurance Regulatory & Transactional
    • Appellate Law

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed hourly rates
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Kaufman Dolowich LLP
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Experience: Representative Matters: Supervised
    /or directly defended against scores of legal malpractice claims, ranging from complex commercial transactions to claims made in fee disputes.
    Won a summary judgment for an international insurance brokerage firm that was accused of misrepresenting the coverage it had procured for a manufacturer of wind-turbine generators, with over $60 million in alleged out-of-pocket damages,
    successfully argued the case on appeal to the Ninth Circuit.
    Litigated civil rights cases involving First
    Fourth Amendment rights,
    fee awards under the Civil Rights Act.
    Defended an accountant/financial planner in an investment
    business venture case alleging erroneous reassurances of the tax treatment of a business venture
    a stock loan program.
    Won a defense arbitration award for a court-referee accountant who aided a couple in a contentious divorce. The award included payment by the plaintiffs of all defense fees
    costs.
    Investigated
    resolved a massive fraud case arising from an individual broker's submission of false invoices for commissions
    fees.
    Defended a tax accountant who allegedly gave erroneous advice regarding tax treatment of a VEBA multiemployer benefit plan.
    Conducted reinsurance audits at major professional liability insurance companies.
    Obtained a dismissal of a $17 million dollar claim against a brokerage firm arising from a business interruption claim by establishing that the firm did, in fact, procure insurance coverage.
    Obtained summary judgment in the Central District of California on behalf of a reinsurer,
    subsequently represented the client in obtaining an affirmance of the judgment in the Ninth Circuit.
    Settled during trial a case arising from the defalcation of an in-house bookkeeper whose actions were not discovered during reviews of the company's accounts.
    Obtained summary judgment for a reinsurer that was sued for bad faith by an underlying claimant,
    succeeded in having the judgment affirmed on appeal.
    Obtained arbitration awards for reinsurers in two cases based on the ceding carriers' failure to properly allocate claims to policy years, or to competently h
    le the underlying claim, resulting in an extra-contractual exposure that was not covered under the reinsurance treaty.
    Served as outside counsel to the California State Bar Association, including working with actuaries at one of the world's largest actuarial firms in developing
    modifying insurance programs.
    Represented an accountant who advised a single-employer medical plan about its required level of funding.
    Advised the California State Bar's Committee on Group Insurance Programs,
    negotiated
    drafted agreements on behalf of the Bar with large insurance brokerage firms
    carriers with the Bar's outside actuarial experts.
  • Additional Links
    http://kdvlaw.com/professional/louie-h-castoria/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1980, California
    U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
    Memberships

    Professional Memberships

    •American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
    •California State Bar Association
    •Insurance Educational Association, Chairman, Board of Directors
    •Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS)
    •Professional Liability Defense Federation

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
    Class of 1980
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of San Francisco
    Class of 1976
    B.A.
    valedictorian

Contact Louie H. Castoria

Partner at Kaufman Dolowich LLP
5.0
1 review

425 California Street, Suite 2100San Francisco, CA 94104U.S.A.

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Fax: (415) 926-7601

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Louie H. Castoria was admitted in 1980 to the State of California.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Louie H. Castoria is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Louie H. Castoria has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Louie H. Castoria attended University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Kaufman Dolowich LLP was established in 1986.

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