Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Litigation

Scope of Practice

Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. has been involved in insurance defense litigation for most of its existence. Due to the firm’s extensive experience with all aspects of insurance litigation, we are often called on to assist insurance companies with their own defense in court. This includes questions of whether an insurer actually has coverage for a particular claim against the insured. Often these coverage issues may be complex or revolve around unusual fact patterns. The attorneys at Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. pride themselves on keeping up to date on the latest changes in insurance law and can help clients untangle the constant and confusing legislative changes in insurance requirements.

The firm has represented insurance companies as both plaintiffs and defendants in coverage cases. Our experience also extends to the issue of bad faith litigation. Not only have we successfully defended numerous insurers against bad faith claims from their own insureds, we have taken a proactive approach to this type of litigation. That means protecting claims files from burdensome, and frequently premature, discovery requests from aggressive personal injury lawyers determined to harass the insurer into an unwarranted settlement.

Sometimes clients approach us before suit is filed so that we can give coverage advice that may help them avoid lawsuits. However, our firm can provide representation for these claims at any level of the litigation process. We have been involved in such claims in state court, federal court, and the appellate courts. Several of the firm’s cases have even gone up to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

"Shelf Life: The Poisoner's Handbook" - book review by Melita M. Mullen

Melita Mullen (book review), Wisconsin Lawyers (December 2014). Read more about this book review by clicking on the link.

The American College of Trial Lawyers - Press Release

Ann C. Emmerich admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers (See Press Release attached.)

Ann C. Emmerich - Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers

Bell, Moore & Richter is very pleased to announce that on March 2, 2019, Ann C. Emmerich was sworn in as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Attorneys at its 2019 Spring Meeting of the College in La Quinta, California. (See attached.)

Networking Works - A True Story (by Patricia Putney)

Patricia Putney wrote an article that appeared in the State Bar of Wisconsin - Law Student Associate News and Opportunities, March 2019 edition. Read what Patti had to say on networking for law students.

2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. is pleased to announce their firm's Super Lawyers and Rising Stars of 2018. Super Lawyers: William Abbott, Ann Emmerich, Patricia Putney, David Joanis, David McFarlane, John Moore, Ward Richter and Sheila Sullivan. Rising Stars: Laura Lyons and David Ress. (Read More)