Marilyn L. Bonetati, Esq.

Marilyn L. Bonetati, in addition to her considerable experience as defense and coverage counsel for a multitude of insurance carriers, has an extensive background in managing and adjusting claims and is licensed by the State of California as an independent insurance adjuster.

Ms. Bonetati earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, magna cum laude, in 1969 from the University of Southern California, with a degree in Mathematics, Physics, English and Speech. She was made a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Ms. Bonetati then obtained her Master of Arts Degree from California State College, Los Angeles in 1971. Thereafter, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Western State University, College of Law, graduating cum laude, in 1985. Ms. Bonetati graduated in the top two percent of her class, was Managing Editor for Law Review, recipient of the Outstanding Editor Award and Research Director.

Ms. Bonetati commenced her legal career with a Judicial Clerkship for the Honorable Edward Laird. She has successfully handled, for the defense, thousands of Superior Court cases to conclusion, including approximately 50 jury trials, court trials, administrative proceedings and judicial arbitrations.

Ms. Bonetati has been panel counsel for numerous insurance carriers and clients including General Motors, General Electric/Westport/First Specialty, Ashland, Lloyd's of London, Darwin Professional Underwriters, Century Surety, Meadowbrook, Mercury Insurance, CNA, Eastman Kodak, USF Insurance, NAC Insurance and Best Western International. She also works with many third party administrators for insurance carriers including Claims Resource Management, Crawford Technical Services, Ward North America and Gallagher Bassett Services.

She has experience in all major areas of tort litigation including construction defect, bodily injury and premises liability litigation, contract and real estate litigation, medical malpractice and managed care, professional E & O/malpractice, products liability and personal injury defense. She helped redefine product liability law in favor of the defense by limiting the use of the consumer expectation test when she was lead counsel for General Motors in the Superior Court jury case Terri Soule v. General Motors. Ms. Bonetati also has extensive experience in all aspects of state and federal appellate practice and coverage analysis.

She has also testified as an expert witness in the areas of real estate, real estate law, legal malpractice and brokers duties. Additionally, Ms. Bonetati has given seminars and presentations to corporations and insurance carriers on a wide variety of legal topics, including insurance coverage, bad faith, construction defect, environmental litigation, professional errors and omissions and managed care.

Ms. Bonetati also possesses a Standard Life Teaching Credential and is a licensed real estate broker.