James C. Castle

James Castle is an insurance and commercial litigation attorney. Over the past 17 years, he has handled a wide range of matters, including insurance and general business disputes—and has a long-established track record of defending clients against class and representative actions and challenges brought under California's Unfair Competition Law and false advertising laws. James represents all aspects of the defense of property and casualty, life, and disability insurers in coverage and bad faith litigation. He also has significant experience representing surety companies and car dealerships in connection with Song-Beverly Act and Consumer Legal Remedies Act claims.

Previously, James was a deputy district attorney for the Orange County District Attorney's Office, where he prosecuted criminal cases on behalf of the State of California. In doing so, James first-chaired more than 20 jury trials.

A selection of James's representative matters includes:

• Represented an insurer in a class action relating to the alleged use of price elasticity in developing premium rates.
• Represented car dealerships and surety in connection with fraud, Song Beverly Act, and Consumer Legal Remedy Action Claims.
• Represented a health plan in arbitration proceedings regarding the proper allocation of financial responsibility for nursing services provided to numerous patients by a hospital under a capitated service agreement.
• Represented a health plan in a payment dispute with a rehabilitation center regarding the medical necessity of services provided to the plan's members.
• Represented insurers in matters before the Department of Insurance, including prior approval rate hearings, unfair claims practices and orders to show cause, market conduct examinations, notices of noncompliance, and enforcement actions.
• Represented Fortune 500 companies in employment and protection of trade secret matters in federal and state courts.
• Represented insurance companies and welfare benefit plans in claims for ERISA benefits in federal court.
• Represented an insurance company before the State Board of Equalization and in state court in its challenge to an assessment of premium taxes based upon out-of-state activities.
• Represented an auto insurance company in nationwide class action challenging the insurer's practices when faced with "diminished value" claims.

During his undergraduate studies, James was a member of the University of Southern California Water Polo Team, where he was captain, a national champion, and an All-American.