Blank Rome Expands Insurance Recovery Practice with Leading Team in California
July 01 2024 - 12:26PM
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Barron (“Barry”) L.
Weinstein has joined the firm’s nationally
leading Insurance Recovery practice as of counsel and
will be affiliated with the Los Angeles office. Barry brings more
than 40 years of experience representing policyholders in complex
insurance coverage disputes, including litigation against insurance
carriers in state and federal courts throughout the country. Barry
joins Blank Rome from Weinstein & Numbers LLP, a boutique
insurance recovery law firm that he co-founded in 1993. Joining
Barry from Weinstein is senior attorney Kevin L. Cifarelli.
“We are delighted to welcome Barry and Kevin to our Los Angeles
office and national Insurance Recovery practice,” said Grant S.
Palmer, Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner. “Barry is a highly
respected and seasoned insurance recovery attorney who has
successfully handled a wide range of cases involving both third
party liability and first party property insurance coverage
disputes. Their addition enhances our ability to provide
comprehensive and strategic counsel to our clients on their
insurance-related issues and disputes.”
Barry’s practice focuses exclusively on representing
policyholders in complex insurance disputes, including matters
involving sexual abuse, construction defects, professional
liability, property damage and business interruption, and bad faith
claims. He has also lectured on insurance coverage issues in
numerous Continuing Legal Education courses and has served as a
Settlement Officer for the San Francisco Superior Court’s Mandatory
Settlement program.
“Barry and Kevin are tremendous additions to our Insurance
Recovery team, which is widely recognized as one of the top
practices in the country for representing policyholders,” said
James R. Murray, Partner and Co-Chair of Blank Rome’s Insurance
Recovery practice group. “Barry has a wealth of experience and
knowledge in handling complex and high-stakes insurance coverage
disputes, and he is well regarded by his peers, clients, risk
managers, and mediators for his professionalism, skill, and
creativity. We are thrilled to have Barry and Kevin join our team
and expand our presence and capabilities in the West Coast market
and beyond.”
With decades of experience in the field of insurance coverage,
Barry began his career at the Farella, Braun & Martel law firm
located in San Francisco. He then co-founded Weinstein &
Buffington, where he continued his commercial litigation practice
with an emphasis on insurance coverage. Six years later Barry
joined the office of the San Francisco City Attorney where he
served as Chief of Complex Litigation, supervising a team of 15
trial attorneys in complex litigation matters. At the City
Attorney’s Office, Barry tried and argued on appeal cases in both
state and federal courts. He also advised city departments and
commissions on a wide range of legal matters involving potential
and pending litigation, including matters involving insurance
coverage disputes. He then co-founded Meredith, Weinstein &
Numbers (which later became Weinstein & Numbers LLP) where he
continued to represent policyholders in cutting edge insurance
coverage litigation.
Kevin’s practice focuses on litigating and supervising insurance
defense claims, including professional negligence, general
liability, and real estate actions. He has represented
policyholders in litigation against carriers in state and federal
courts. Kevin is skilled at developing and implementing strategies
to solve complex insurance issues and maximize policy recoveries
for clients. He also advises clients about litigation risk, dispute
avoidance, and resolution, and he conducts settlement negotiations
and represents clients at mediations. Prior to joining Weinstein
& Numbers, Kevin worked for several law firms including serving
as a partner at an Am Law 200 firm.
“I am very excited to join Blank Rome and its outstanding
Insurance Recovery practice,” said Barry. “I have long admired the
firm’s reputation and achievements in the insurance recovery field,
and I look forward to working with the talented, tight-knit, and
dedicated attorneys in the practice group. I am also impressed by
the firm’s culture of collegiality and commitment to pro bono and
community service, and I am eager to contribute to Blank Rome’s
growth and success.”
Barry received his J.D. from The University of California,
Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. from the University of
California, Berkeley.
Kevin earned his M.F.A. from the University of Mississippi, his
J.D. from Golden Gate University, and his B.A. from the University
of California, Santa Barbara.
About Blank Rome
Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and more than
750 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and
advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and
around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for
their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of
industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work
in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s
culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all
our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity
and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit
blankrome.com.
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- Barron (“Barry”) L. Weinstein
- Kevin L. Cifarelli
Abby Moriarty
Blank Rome LLP
3127762597
abby.moriarty@blankrome.com