Philip L. Pillsbury Jr.

Philip L. Pillsbury Jr.

Philip L. Pillsbury Jr., Founding Partner

Phone: (415) 433-8000
Fax: (415) 433-4816

Philip L. Pillsbury, Jr. is a veteran trial lawyer with awards, settlements, and verdicts totaling over $500 million. Mr. Pillsbury is driven by a commitment to assist those victimized by insurance companies and serving his community. For almost 50 years, Mr. Pillsbury has focused his practice on representing policyholders in insurance bad faith and insurance coverage matters ranging from commercial general liability, construction defect, builder’s risk and property/business interruption to errors and omissions and maritime insurance. Mr. Pillsbury represents small and large domestic and international companies, and individuals.

Mr. Pillsbury is a member of ABOTA, has been a Superlawyer since the inception of that recognition, and has been repeatedly been name a Best Lawyer in America for the practice of Insurance Law, including Lawyer of the Year in insurance Law in 2020 and has been rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell for more than 30 years.

Representative Recent Case Examples

Obtained a $26.5 million verdict in Vann v. The Travelers, including $25 million in punitive damages. At the time, this verdict was one of the largest punitive damage awards in the country to be affirmed on appeal.

Represented hotel owner on claims under property policies for severe water damage to hotel resulting from construction defects; recovered millions of dollars from property insurers through long-term negotiations without the necessity of a first-party action.

Recovered full value of settlement paid by large corporation to resolve maritime asbestos claim after successfully defeating insurer ‘s summary judgment; recovered a majority of attorney ‘s fees paid by our client to obtain benefits.

Secured more than $400 million in insurance proceeds for a national manufacturer facing more than 50,000 asbestos lawsuits.

For the last 25 years, Mr. Pillsbury has often acted as an expert in bad faith and punitive damage cases, including significant coverage matters arising out of the $1B resolution of the Western MacArthur v. USF&G asbestos litigation, and related cases nationally.

Areas of Practice

  • Insurance Bad Faith
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Commercial General Liability
  • Construction Defect
  • Builder’s Risk
  • Property/business Interruption to Errors and Omission
  • Maritime Insurance

Education

  • Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Portland, Oregon
    • J.D. cum laude – 1976
    • Honors: Inducted into the Cornelius Honor Society (1976)
    • Law Review: Environmental Law Review, Editor, 1974 – 1976
  • Middlebury College
    • A.B. 1973

Published Works

  • Representing Policyholders in Insurance Cases: Leading Lawyers on Educating Clients About Insurance Contracts and Navigating Different Types of Disputes (Inside the Minds), 2012
  • California Property Insurance: Law & Litigation, Sections author, Continuing Education of the Bar, Projected Publication Date 2010
  • California Liability Insurance Litigation Practice, Claims & Litigation Section author, Continuing Education of the Bar (1990)
  • Negotiation and Settlement of Claims, co-author, Bancroft Whitney (1990)
  • Negotiation and Settlement, Section author, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company (1992)
  • Civil Litigation Practice – Annual Updates, Continuing Education of the Bar (1996-1998)
  • Depositions of Expert Witnesses and Handling Trial Objections, co-author, Continuing Education of the Bar Series (1985)
  • Marine Insurance II: From Generalities to Specifics Analysis of Extra Contractual Exposure in Specific Claims Situations, contributor, Pacific Admiralty Seminar (1990)
  • California Tort Damages, consultant, Continuing Education of the Bar (1988)
  • Handling Trial Objections, contributor, Continuing Education of the Bar (1988)
  • Compelling, Opposing and Enforcing Discovery in State Court, contributor, Continuing Education of the Bar (1985)

Classes/Seminars

  • “Electronic Errors and Omissions” Technology Group Summit (May 2000)
  • Issues in Technology Errors and Omissions Claims Technology Industry Risk Forum (January 2007)
  • Dialogue With Industry: Making the Technology E&O Claim Technology Industry Risk Forum (February 2008)

Honors and Awards

  • AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Super Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in America in Insurance Law

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • American Association for Justice
  • Consumer Attorneys of California
  • San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association

Pro Bono Activities

  • Board of Visitors, Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College (1995-2010)
  • Trustee, The Thacher School (2007-2018)
  • Board and Council Member, Yosemite Conservancy (2008-2024)
  • Trustee, Darby Betts Fund (2001-2009)
  • Trustee, Brotherton Fund (2004-2009; 2024 – Present))
  • Trustee, Episcopal Charities (2003-2008)
  • Director, St. Luke ‘s Hospital (1989-2003)
  • Director, Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation (1991-2001)
  • Vice-Chair, Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation (1991-1999)
  • Chairman, Board of Trustees, St. Luke ‘s Hospital Foundation (1988-1991)
  • Chairman, Board, St. Luke ‘s Hospital (1991-2001)
  • Chancellor and Member of the Vestry, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in San Francisco

 

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