Hinshaw Bolsters Insurance Practice in Los Angeles

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP today announced that Celia Moutes-Lee and Kayla Berlin have joined the Insurance Industry group as partners in the Los Angeles office. Previously with Lewis Brisbois, the duo brings experience defending insurance companies in contentious coverage and bad-faith litigation matters. Associate Luis Colula also joined the firm in Los Angeles as part of the move.

"Attracting top-level talent to our insurance practice on the West Coast is a strategic priority," said Spencer Kook, partner-in-charge of Hinshaw’s Los Angeles office. "We have many shared clients, and I have worked with Celia and Kayla for a number of years. I am impressed with their highly successful litigation track record. Our clients will benefit from having access to their legal skills and knowledge in California."

Moutes-Lee has 28 years of experience litigating contentious, high-stakes insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, specializing in claims and lawsuits arising from first-party coverage disputes and suspicious losses under commercial and personal policies. She frequently obtains early resolution through demurrer and summary judgment, as well as favorable settlements for clients.

Moutes-Lee is also frequently retained by insurers to assist in the investigation of claims, including the conduct of examinations under oath. Hinshaw’s commitment to expanding the insurance practice and the firm’s broad array of legal service offerings were among the reasons the duo decided to join the firm.

"Hinshaw is committing substantial resources into developing the California bench," Moutes-Lee said. "The firm has a genuine concern for the well-being of attorneys they bring into the fold. I’m looking forward to helping bolster the insurance practice on the West Coast and joining an exciting and collaborative group of attorneys."

Berlin represents insurance companies in coverage disputes and bad faith litigation in commercial and personal lines, including automobile, homeowners, and commercial property policies. She has a strong track record of defending insurers in litigation involving property and catastrophic losses, as well as suspected fraudulent claims.

"I'm excited to join Celia in adding more first-party insurance and bad faith litigation capabilities to Hinshaw's capable and well-connected team," said Berlin. "This will be a smooth transition, as we already service many of the same clients. In addition, I share Celia's excitement and enthusiasm about joining such a supportive and welcoming group of lawyers and staff."

Moutes-Lee earned two B.A. degrees from California State University Northridge and received her J.D. from Loyola Law School. Berlin earned her B.A. from Georgetown University and her J.D. from Loyola Law School.

Moutes-Lee and Berlin are among several significant recent additions to the firm’s insurance practice on the West Coast. In January, Min Kang, R. Wardell Loveland, Rebecca D. Martino, Gregory Nelch, and Christiane Sinclair joined Hinshaw from Coddington, Hicks, and Danforth in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Media Coverage

• "Hinshaw Bolsters Insurance Practice in Los Angeles" was published by the Global Legal Chronicle on August 27, 2024.
• “Comings & Goings” was published by Business Insurance on August 19, 2024 (View the profiles here for Celia Moutes-Lee and Kayla Berlin).
• "Wake Up Call: Laterals, Moves, In-House" was published by Bloomberg Law on August 13, 2024.
• "Lewis Brisbois Litigation Duo Jumps To Hinshaw In LA" was published by Law360 on August 12, 2024.
• "Hinshaw Grows With Moutes-Lee, Berlin as Insurance Partners" was published by Bloomberg Law on August 12, 2024.