Stephen H. Huchting

    Partner
    Los Angeles
    Direct: 213.417.5151
    Main: 213.891.9100
    vCard

    Practice Focus:

    • Main Biography
      •
    • Insurance Coverage
    • Jewelry, Fine Arts & Other Specialized Risks / Specie
    • Property Insurance Law

    The primary focus of Mr. Huchting’s practice is the analysis and interpretation of property insurance policies, including personal and commercial lines, excess and surplus and automobile coverage forms and endorsements. Mr. Huchting is experienced in cases involving isolated losses as well as widespread disasters such as earthquakes and flooding. Mr. Huchting has extensive experience in the analysis of suspicious claims, including structure and vehicle arson and fraud. He is also experienced in handling Appraisals, having served as Appraiser as well as Umpire.

    Education

    • J.D., Loyola Law School, 1973, (Student Teaching Fellow)
    • B.A., Loyola Marymount University, 1970, cum laude

    Court Admissions

    • United States District Court for the Central District of California

    Bar Admissions

    • California, 1973

    Professional Memberships and Activities

    • American Bar Association
    • California State Bar Association
    • Los Angeles County Bar Association
    • International Association of Arson Investigators – Attorney Advisor Committee Member (former)
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators – Director (former); Legal Advisor (former); Training Committee (former); Expert Witness Class Instructor
    • Defense Research Institute and Trial Lawyers Association
    • California Arson Prevention Committee – Legal Advisor (former)

    Distinctions

    • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated – Martindale-Hubbell
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators: "Lifetime Membership Award," 2011
    • 2012 Southern California Super Lawyer
    • 2011 Southern California Super Lawyer
    • International Association of Special Investigation Units - Southern California Chapter: "Defense Attorney of the Year Award," 2009
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators: "Presidential Award," 2008
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators: "Distinguished Service - Outgoing Board Member" Award, 2008
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators: "Professionalism and Excellence Through Education" Award, March, 2007
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators: Service Award, January, 2003
    • Southern California Security Association: Service Award, 2003
    • California Conference of Arson Investigators: "Member of the Year" Award, January, 2002

    Speeches and Publications

    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2012
    • "Claims Handling and Fire Investigation Ethics," California Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters, 2012
    • "Fair Claims Regulations," Client Organization, 2011
    • "S.I.U. Regulations," Client Organization, 2011
    • Co-author: "California Property Insurance: Law and Litigation," Continuing Education of the Bar, The Regents of the University of California, 2011
      - Chapter 6: "Special Risk Property Insurance"
      - Chapter 8: "Causation and Common Exclusions"
      - Chapter 11: "The Appraisal Process"
      - Chapter 12: "Calculating Liability: Measure of Indemnity"
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2011
    • "Selection and Management of Fire Origin & Cause Experts," Client Organization, 2011 
    • "New and Emerging Methodologies Involved in Fire Investigation," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2011
    • "'Innocent Co-insureds' Gain Broader Insurance Protection," Los Angeles Daily Journal, February 22, 2011
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2010
    • "Evolving Standards for Fire Investigation," Property Loss Research Bureau, San Antonio, Texas, 2010
    • "Evolving Standards for Fire Investigation," California Conference of Arson Investigators, West Covina, California, 2010
    • "Evolving Standards for Fire Investigation," Southern California Fraud Investigators Association, Palm Desert, California, 2009
    • "Evolving Standards for Fire Investigation," International Association of Special Investigation Units, Palm Desert, California, 2009
    • "Special Investigation Units - Department of Insurance Regulations," Client Organization, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2009
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2009
    • "The Statutory Appraisal Clause," Client Organization, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2009
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2009
    • "The Statutory Appraisal Clause" – Panel Member – Los Angeles, California, 2009
    • "Recent Changes in NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921," Client Organization, Westlake Village, California, 2008
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2008
    • "Special Investigation Units – Department of Insurance Regulations," Client Organization, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2008
    • "Insurance Claims for Property Loss: Determining Coverage & Presenting Claims," Continuing Education of the Bar, The Regents of the University of California, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2008
    • "Fraud – The Other Side of Arson," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2007
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2007
    • "Judicial Estoppel,” Client Organization, Irvine, California, 2007
    • "Proactive Arson Fraud Investigation," The National Underwriters Co. Fraud Symposium, Torrance, California, 2006
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2006
    • "Process of Elimination," San Bernardino County Fire-Arson Association, San Bernardino, California, 2006
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2006
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Costa Mesa, California, 2005
    • "Current Developments in Arson/Fraud Investigation," The National Underwriter Co., Torrance, California, 2005
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Brea, California, 2005
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2005
    • "ABC’s of Damage Control," Institute of Real Estate Management, Orange County, California, 2005
    • "ABC’s of Damage Control," Bolton Insurance Agency, Los Angeles, California, 2005
    • "ABC’s of Damage Control," Building Owners and Managers Association, Pasadena, California, 2005
    • "Expert Witness Testimony Course," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2005
    • "Earthquake Adjuster Training," Client Organization, Brea, California, 2004
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Brea, California 2004
    • "Emerging Issues in Fire Investigation," Client Organization, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2004
    • "Fair Claims Practices Regulations," Client Organization, Brea, California, 2003
    • "Emerging Issues Relating to Insurance Code Section 1875," California Conference of Arson Investigators, Seaside, California, 2003
    • "Current Developments in Fire Investigation," Irvine, California, 2002
    • "Insurance Code Section 1875 - The Arson Reporting Act," California Conference of Arson Investigators, Camarillo, California, 2002
    • "Ask The Experts - Panel Presentation," Moderator - California Conference of Arson Investigators, Seaside, California, 2002
    • "Current Developments - NFPA 921," San Bernardino County Arson Association, 2001
    • "Emerging Issues Involving NFPA 921," Panel Member, California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 2001
    • "Lessons Learned From Earthquakes Past," Client Organization, Arizona, 2000
    • "Emerging Issues in Fire Investigation - Trends, Techniques and Tendencies in Arson Investigation and Related Litigation," San Bernardino County Arson Association, San Bernardino, California, 2000
    • "Emerging Issues in Fire Investigation - Trends, Techniques and Tendencies in Arson Investigation and Related Litigation," California Conference of Arson Investigators Roundtable, Redlands, California, 2000
    • "Emerging Issues in Fire Investigation - Trends, Techniques and Tendencies in Arson Investigation and Related Litigation," Client Organization, Glendale, California, 1999
    • "Emerging Issues in Fire Investigation - Trends, Techniques and Tendencies in Arson Investigation and Related Litigation," California Conference of Arson Investigators, San Luis Obispo, California, 1999
    • "The Statutory Fire Insurance Appraisal Clause," Insurance Dispute Resolution Center, Los Angeles, California, 1999
    • "Emerging Issues in Fire Investigation - Trends, Techniques and Tendencies in Arson Investigation and Related Litigation," Client Organization, Anaheim, California, 1999
    • "Recent Developments: Homeowners and First Party Coverages," Orange County Bar Association Insurance Law Section, Irvine, California 1997
    • "Legal Update," California Conference of Arson Investigators, West Covina, California, 1995
    • "Subrogation Update," Client Organization, Phoenix, Arizona, 1995
    • "Coverage and Claim Handling," Client Organization, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1995
    • "Insurance Claims for Property Loss," Orange County Bar Association, Irvine, California, 1994
    • "Arson and Fraud: The Permissible Exchange of Information between Investigating Agencies and Insurance Companies," California Conference of Arson Investigators, Fresno, California, 1993
    • "Examinations Under Oath," California Conference of Arson Investigators, Fresno, California, 1992
    • "Arson and Fraud: The Connection Between Investigator and Insurance Companies," The Southern California Fraud Investigators Association, Oxnard, California, 1990
    • "The Appropriate Role of Outside Counsel in the Claims Investigation Process: Privileges, Work Product Protection, Dividing Responsibilities to Maintain the Independence of Counsel, and Their Ability to Defend Subsequent Litigation," Defense Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1989
    • "Insurance Coverage: The Contamination and Pollution Exclusion," Client Organization, Denver, Colorado, 1988
    • "Good Faith and the Handling of First Party Insurance Claims," Client Organization, Denver, Colorado, 1988
    • "Arson and Fraud: The Permissible Exchange of Information Between Investigating Agencies and Insurance Organizations," California Conference of Arson Investigators, Anaheim, California, 1988
    • "The Use of the Examination Under Oath in the Investigation of Suspected Arson Fires," Client Organization, Los Angeles, California, 1988
    • "Arson and Fraud: The Permissible Exchange of Information Between Investigating Agencies and Insurance Organizations," California Arson Prevention Committee, Pasadena, California, 1988
    • "Arson and Fraud: Privacy - Fair Claims Practices and Immunity Acts," American Insurance Association, Phoenix, Arizona, 1988
    • "Good Faith and the Handling of First Party Insurance Claims," Client Organization, Los Angeles, California, 1986
    • "The Handling of First Party Claims," Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Lake Tahoe, California, 1987
    • "Good Faith and the Handling of First Party Insurance Claims," Client Organization, San Francisco, California 1986
    • "Current Developments in Concurrent Causation," Client Organization, Brea, California, 1986
    • "Arson: The Permissible Exchange of Information Between Investigating Agencies and Insurance Organizations," California Conference of Arson Investigators, Fresno, California, 1986
    • "Current Developments in Insurance Law: Concurrent Causation," Loss Executives Association, Baltimore, Maryland, 1986
    • "The Use of Examinations Under Oath in First Party Claims," Client Organization, Los Angeles, California, 1985
    • "The Permissible Exchange of Information Between Investigating Agencies and Insurance Organizations," California Arson Prevention Committee and California State Fire Marshals, Los Angeles, Costa Mesa and San Diego, California, 1984
    • "Current Developments in Insurance Law: Bad Faith, Unfair Practices and Conspiracy - Avoiding the Pitfalls," Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Los Angeles, California, 1984
    • "Current Developments in Insurance Law," Client Organization, Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California, 1983
    • "Current Developments in Insurance Law," Client Organization, Los Angeles, California, 1982
    • "Arson and Fraud: The Use of the Examination Under Oath," California Arson Prevention Committee, Los Angeles, California, 1982
    • "Current Developments in Insurance Law: Arson and Fraud," Client Organization, Orange, California, 1981
    • "Arson and Fraud: Burning for Fun and Profit," Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Los Angeles, California, 1980
    • "Business Interruption and Other Time Element Claims," Client Organization, Kansas City, Missouri, 1978
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