Opinion ID: 4535787
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: keller’s representation of usaa

Text: Irene Hecht and her team at Keller represented USAA between 2007 and 2017. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 29. According to Keller, that representation of USAA 1 Plein v. USAA Cas. Ins. Co. et al., King County Superior Court No. 17-2- 29542-6 SEA. 2 No. 97563-9 in Washington included “over 165 matters between August 2006 and November 2017” and Keller had access to the following information: a. The business customs and practices, including confidential claims handling materials and business relationships with outside companies and vendors; b. The thought processes of adjusters, business representatives, and in-house attorneys; and c. Business and litigation philosophies and strategies, including approaches to settlement discussions, motion practice, case analysis, defenses, witness meetings, witness preparation, trial preparation, and discovery both on a case-by-case and institutional, company-wide level. CP at 99. Further, Keller acknowledges that during the course of its representation of USAA, Keller a. Had regular in-person and telephonic access to company employees, executives, and in-house attorneys relative to insurance claims and related Alleged Bad Faith Litigation; b. Provided USAA CIC and its affiliated companies with advice, including as to insurance coverage matters, litigation strategies, factual positions, litigation mitigation recommendations for training and communication materials, and legal arguments; and c. Was provided with electronic login credentials to certain internal proprietary and confidential documents regarding insurance bad faith litigation, including document repositories holding attorney-client information and electronic claim databases; and d. Actively participated in court appearances, depositions, written court filings, correspondence, and mediations on behalf of USAA CIC and its affiliated entities. CP at 100-01. Keller acted as USAA’s sole defense counsel against four bad faith 3 No. 97563-9 claims in Washington. CP at 100. USAA alleged that Keller “had (and has) extensive knowledge of how USAA CIC’s adjusters analyze and handle homeowner’s insurance claims and the interplay of this knowledge with the companies’ litigation strategy and analysis in defending Alleged Bad Faith Litigation in Washington.” CP at 103. Finally, between 2010 and 2012, Keller defended a USAA subsidiary in a Pierce County matter (Cueva 2 matter) against allegations of “bad faith relating to the handling of the fire and smoke damage claim to their house.” CP at 102. In the Cueva matter, the Cuevas alleged that USAA “failed to provide adequate alternative housing” during repairs to their home after a fire. CP at 119.