Curt Metzgar was a fifth generation Californian, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Curt began his legal career in 1985 as a law clerk here at Wade & Lowe, and leaves the firm as its managing director. Curt had an excellent reputation as an expert in the field of insurance coverage law. Although he is no longer with us, his spirit remains. The lawyers of Wade & Lowe are all determined to meet the high standards Curt set for us, and will never forget the leadership, guidance and friendship he provided.
For over thirty years, Curt specialized in all areas of insurance law, with a focus on third party liability coverage, declaratory relief and inter-carrier disputes. He authored many thousands of insurance coverage opinions, litigated many hundreds of declaratory relief actions and actions between carriers and provided practical advice to insurance professionals on a daily basis on complex claim handling scenarios. Curt handled numerous bad faith cases against insurance companies, as well as lawsuits against insurance agents. Finally, Curt handled dozens of writs and appeals addressing a wide variety of issues.
Education
Loyola Marymount University – B.B.A. (1982)
Loyola Law School – J.D. (1986)
Bar Admissions
California – 1986
U.S. District Court for the Central, Eastern, Southern and Northern Districts
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Notable Appellate Opinions
Commercial Life Ins. Co. v. Superior Court, 47 Cal.3d 473 (1988) – California Supreme Court
Watamura v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 206 Cal.App.3d 369 (1998)
Coulter v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 1995 U.S.App. LEXIS 161 (9th Cir., 1991)
State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. v. Superior Court (Wright), 164 Cal.App.4th 317 (2008)
State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. v. Wier, 2012 Cal.App.Unpub. LEXIS 7842
State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. D&G Autosound, 2007 Cal.App.Unpub. LEXIS 10374
Publications
“Worried About Ad Injury Claims? Don’t Believe the Hype” Claims Magazine, November 2000.
“Question Coverage if Insured’s Self-Defense Isn’t an Accident” Los Angeles Daily Journal, March 29, 2006
Professional Associations
California Bar Association
Southern California Association of Defense Counsel
Seminars
Occurrences and Accidents
Coverage Issues Regarding California Habitability Claims and Suits
Coverage Issues Regarding Construction Defect Claims
Coverage Issues Regarding Advertising injury Claims and Suits
Practice Areas
Insurance Coverage and Litigation
Insurance Claims Handling
Insurance Agency and Bad Faith
Writ and Appeals