Yvonne Schulte

Full Profile

Yvonne Schulte has been representing insurance companies in complex coverage disputes, including bad faith litigation, for over 15 years. She advises her clients on claims under commercial general liability, directors’ and officers', managed care, errors and omissions, and excess and umbrella policies. Yvonne has additional expertise with environmental policies, including pollution liability and cost cap policies.

In addition to representing insurers, Yvonne has extensive practice defending companies in employment and other commercial disputes. Her range of experience includes cases involving legal malpractice, agent and broker liability, products liability and environmental law.

Yvonne litigates cases in both state and federal courts throughout California, including cases on appeal before the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also regularly represents clients in mediations and arbitrations.

Admissions

• California
• US District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California
• US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Education

• J.D., George Mason University School of Law, 2001. Trial Advocacy Team. Semi-finalist in the National Trial Competition, 2000.
• B.A., George Washington University, 1998. Golden Key National Honor Society. Presidential Academic Scholarship. Hilda Haves Manchester award.

Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
• Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS)

Experience

• Obtained affirmation of summary judgment before the Ninth Circuit on behalf of insurer on the basis that the complaint, which alleged statutory violations in the construction of a stadium, did not allege an “occurrence” within the meaning of the policies.
• Obtained summary judgment before the US District Court for the Northern District of California for insurer on basis that the advertising injury coverage was not implicated because the underlying complaint did not allege infringement of a title or slogan and the insured, who was claiming damages in excess of USD 60 million, was a licensee, not the owner, of the allegedly infringed copyright.

• Obtained summary judgment in Los Angeles Superior Court and prepared successful appeal for insurer on grounds that claims for patent infringement were not covered. The underlying action did not allege disparagement claims.
• Obtained summary judgment in Los Angeles Superior Court for an employer on grounds that the allegations of harassment were not severe and pervasive.