Robert M. Fineman practices in the areas of commercial and insurance coverage litigation with an emphasis on complex litigation involving contract disputes and environmental matters. Mr. Fineman has represented clients, including domestic and international insurers and reinsurers, in a wide range of lawsuits and disputes involving insurance coverage and bad faith allegations, business disputes, construction defects, subrogation and contribution, toxic torts, regulatory issues and environmental matters including claims under CERCLA and similar state statutes.

Mr. Fineman has served as trial and appellate counsel in matters in numerous state and federal courts and has also resolved a variety of cases through mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Additionally, Mr. Fineman has experience with intellectual property matters, including trademark and copyright issues.

An active member of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice section of the American Bar Association and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Mr. Fineman is a 1996 cum laude graduate of Tulane Law School and a cum laude graduate of Miami University.

Areas Of Practice

Insurance and Reinsurance
Commercial Litigation
Insurance Coverage and Risk Management
Intellectual Property

Representative Matters

Aerojet-General Corporation v. American Excess Insurance Co. (2002) 97 Cal. App. 4th 387 (application of res judicata to prior judgment in favor of insurers)
J.H. Baxter & Co. v. Central National Ins. Co. (2001) 20 P.3d 967 (prevailed in forum battle in complex coverage case)
Puget Sand Energy v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, et al. (represented insurer in Washington State multi-phased jury trial resulting in complete defense verdict on two issues and partial verdict on third issue)

Professional Activities

State Bar of California
- Litigation Section
Bar Association of San Francisco
Association of Business Trial Lawyers
American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
-- Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
-- Business Litigation Committee
-- Intellectual Property Law Committee

Admissions

California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern and Central Districts of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Education

Tulane Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1996
Miami University, B.A., cum laude, 1991

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2006-present
Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft LLP
- Partner, 2004-2005
- Associate, 1997-2003

Selected Publications

Co-Author, "E-Commerce Contracts Forms Book," a chapter on metatag license contracts, Internet Industry Section of the ABA, 1999
Co-Author, "Nationwide Desk Reference of Property and Casualty Insurance Laws, 2004 Edition," California Chapter, ALFA International
Co-Author, "Nationwide Desk Reference of Life, Accident and Health Insurance Laws, 2004 Edition," California Chapter, ALFA International

Selected Speaking Engagements

Panelist, "Complex Insurance Issues in M&A Due Diligence – Assessing Potential Risk and Minimizing Exposure in Corporate Dealmaking," Strafford Publications teleconference, September 2, 2008
Speaker, "Discovery in Bad Faith Insurance Claims, State of the Law and Successful Strategies," Strafford Publications National Teleconference, October 10, 2007
Panelist, "Additional Insured Coverage: Is Your Business Really Protected? Crafting Enforceable and Effective Endorsements," Strafford Publications live interactive teleconference, June 21, 2007
Panelist, "Additional Insured Coverage: Is Your Business Really Protected?" Strafford Publications national teleconference, October 31, 2006
Moderator, Insurance Coverage 2004, Claim Trends & Litigation, Practising Law Institute VR, San Francisco, CA, February 17-18, 2004