EXHIBIT A

Case: 19-30088 Doc# 3499-1 Filed: 08/11/19 Entered: 08/11/19 23:06:09 Page 1

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Robert Julian 

direct dial: 628.208.6436 

rjulian@bakerlaw.com 

 BakerHostetler

1160 Battery Street East 

Suite 100 

San Francisco, CA 94111 

T: 310.442.8899 

F: 310.820.8859 

www.bakerlaw.com July 30, 2019 

VIA E-MAIL (korsini@cravath.com) 

Kevin J. Orsini, Esq. 

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP 

Worldwide Plaza 

825 Eighth Avenue 

New York, New York 10019-7475 

Re: In re PG&E Corporation, Case No. 19-30088 (DM) 

Dear Kevin: 

We carefully reviewed the Debtors’ motion to estimate claims. It appeared to us that the Debtors 

may contend that they have no liability for the fire-related losses. Therefore, in order to 

effectively respond, and to propose an appropriate expedited discovery plan, we request 

clarification of the Debtors’ litigation position with respect to the 2016, 2017 and 2018 fires. 

First, the Debtors state that they will not contest causation with respect to all of the wildfires 

except the Tubbs fire. However, causation is only one material element to establish legal 

liability under the negligence, nuisance, and trespass causes of action alleged by the tort victims. 

Therefore, although the Debtors have conceded causation, they have not conceded legal liability 

as it relates to those causes of action. Please let us know if we have misconstrued the Debtors’ 

position with respect to liability for negligence, nuisance, and trespass. 

Second, the Debtors also contend that, as a quasi-private utility, they should not be held legally 

responsible for losses under an inverse condemnation theory of liability. Therefore, although the 

Debtors have conceded causation, they have not conceded liability under inverse condemnation. 

Please let us know if we have misconstrued the Debtors’ position with respect to liability for 

inverse condemnation. 

Taken together, it appears the Debtors are not conceding liability for any of the 2016, 2017 or 

2018 fires. Form this, the TCC is left with only one option, and that is to prepare to prove all 

theories of liability in connection with the court’s estimation of claims. If our assumptions are 

inaccurate, please advise. Otherwise, the parties must immediately engage in discovery 

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Kevin J. Orsini, Esq. 

July 30, 2019 

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concerning all of the asserted theories of liability in order to be reasonably prepared for an 

estimation hearing in the near term. 

We note that the Debtors have singularly focused in our discussions on the damages aspect of 

claims estimation, as opposed to liability. We agree that the damages information, including the 

number of victims, calculation of economic and non-economic damages, and the like are 

critically important to the estimation process. But damages issues are not the only areas of 

discovery. We need to be able to present a plan to the court that enables both the Debtors and 

the TCC to present their cases with adequate evidence. 

Therefore, we ask that the Debtors answer the questions below and in the attached Excel 

spreadsheet no later than 5:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, August 2, 2019. 

I. CONTENTIONS REGARDING PLAINTIFFS’ PROSECUTION OF LIABILITY 

According to the Master Complaint filed by the Individual Plaintiffs on March 12, 2018 in the In 

re: California North Bay Fire Cases, JCCP No. 4995, the Individual Plaintiffs pled several causes 

of action in regard to each of the 2017 Northern California wildfires. We have listed those causes 

of action below (and on the attached spreadsheet), and under each cause of action listed, we have 

listed the material elements identified by the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury 

Instructions (“CACI”) as required in order to establish liability pursuant to each particular cause 

of action. 

Please advise in regard to each fire, whether PG&E will contest the material elements identified 

under each cause of action pled in the Individual Plaintiffs’ Master Complaint and listed below. 

Please do so by marking a “Yes” or “No” in the attached spreadsheet. A “Yes” means that PG&E 

will contest the allegation. 

a. The Negligence Claim (CACI 400) 

Defendant was negligent. 

Defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing plaintiff’s harm. 

b. The Inverse Condemnation Claim 

Defendant’s equipment, as designed and in the normal course of operations, substantially caused 

a taking of Plaintiff’s property. 

Defendant’s equipment, which substantially caused a taking, was installed for a public purpose 

or use. 

Case: 19-30088 Doc# 3499-1 Filed: 08/11/19 Entered: 08/11/19 23:06:09 Page 3

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Kevin J. Orsini, Esq. 

July 30, 2019 

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c. The Private Nuisance Claim (CACI 2021) 

Defendant, by acting or failing to act, created a condition that was harmful to health and/or was a 

fire hazard. 

This condition substantially interfered with Plaintiff’s use or enjoyment of his/her land. 

An ordinary person would be reasonably annoyed or disturbed by the condition. 

Plaintiff did not consent to Defendant’s conduct. 

Defendant’s conduct was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiff’s harm. 

The seriousness of the harm outweighs the social utility of Defendant’s conduct. 

d. The Public Nuisance Claim (CACI 2020) 

The condition affected a substantial number of people at the same time. 

Plaintiff suffered harm different from the type of harm suffered by the general public. 

e. The Trespass Claim (CACI 2000) 

Defendant intentionally, recklessly or negligently caused a fire to enter Plaintiff’s property. 

Plaintiff did not give permission for entry. 

Defendant exceeded Plaintiff’s permission for entry. 

Defendant’s conduct was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiff’s harm. 

f. The Claim for Violation of Health & Safety Code § 13007 

Defendant violated California Health and Safety Code section 13007. 

Defendant’s violation of California Health and Safety Code section 13007 was a substantial 

factor in causing Plaintiff’s harm. 

g. Claims for Exemplary or Punitive Damages 

Defendant’s conduct in causing the fire was willful as set out in California Public Utilities Code 

Section 2106. 

Defendant’s conduct in causing the fire was with conscious disregard for the safety of the 

victims and was despicable as set forth in California Civil Code Section 3294. 

Case: 19-30088 Doc# 3499-1 Filed: 08/11/19 Entered: 08/11/19 23:06:09 Page 4

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Kevin J. Orsini, Esq. 

July 30, 2019 

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4847-7053-1742.1

II. PG&E’S AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO LIABILITY 

According to the Master Answer filed by the PG&E Defendants on March 16, 2018 in the In re: 

California North Bay Fire Cases, JCCP No. 4995, PG&E pled several affirmative defenses to 

liability in regard to each of the 2017 Northern California wildfires. We have listed those 

affirmative defenses below (and on the attached spreadsheet), and under each affirmative defense 

listed, we have copied and pasted the exact language PG&E pled in support of the applicable 

affirmative defense. 

Please advise in regard to each fire, whether PG&E will assert the affirmative defenses pled in 

PG&E’s Master Answer and listed below. Please do so by marking a “Yes” or “No” in the 

attached spreadsheet. A “Yes” means that PG&E will assert the affirmative defense. 

a. Superseding Or Intervening Events (Ninth Affirmative Defense) 

“The injuries, losses or damages alleged in the Complaint were directly and proximately caused, 

in whole or in part, by unforeseeable, intervening and/or superseding acts of nature, or persons, 

or entities for whom PG&E is not accountable, including but not limited to Acts of God.” (Page 

4 of PG&E's Master Answer to Individual Plaintiffs' Master Complaint). 

b. Mitigation (Tenth Affirmative Defense) 

“The injuries, losses or damages alleged in the Complaint are subject to the requirements of the 

principles of mitigation.” (Page 4 of PG&E's Master Answer to Individual Plaintiffs' Master 

Complaint). 

c. Injury Caused By Others (Eleventh Affirmative Defense) 

“The injuries, losses or damages alleged in the Complaint may have been caused in whole or in 

part by other persons or entities for whom or which PG&E is not accountable and over whom or 

which PG&E had neither control nor right of control. PG&E is entitled to apportionment of fault 

among all persons and entities whose acts or omissions contributed to the occurrence and extent 

of the alleged injuries, damages, and/or losses, and a judgment and declaration of 

indemnification and contribution in favor of PG&E and against all other persons and entities 

with the apportionment of fault.” (Pages 4 - 5 of PG&E's Master Answer to Individual Plaintiffs' 

Master Complaint.) 

d. Comparative Fault (Twelfth Affirmative Defense) 

“Causation has not yet been determined so PG&E pleads a general response now to avoid delay 

in litigation. This affirmative defense is not intended to blame any individual victim, but rather to 

reserve rights in the event it is determined that other persons or entities have responsibility in 

whole or in part for one or more fires and/or the damages associated with one or more of the 

fires. Other persons or entities, including but not limited to one or more of the Individual 

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