Marc J. Feldman

Partner
LANGUAGES
Hebrew
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Marc Feldman

Overview

Marc Feldman is an accomplished trial and appellate lawyer who has successfully defended clients against claims seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. He represents insurance companies and health plans in high-stakes cases, including bad faith lawsuits, coverage litigation, class actions and healthcare payor/provider disputes.

Marc has tried cases to verdict in California courts, represented clients in binding arbitrations, and briefed and argued cases in the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Marc also advises clients on complex insurance coverage issues and counsels them on how to avoid lawsuits and mitigate their potential exposure before litigation is filed.

Marc is known for both his written and oral advocacy. He firmly believes that “brevity is the soul of wit.” He follows that principle and teaches how to employ it in webinars on legal writing. He is also recognized for his cross-examinations, particularly of expert witnesses. 

When not zealously advocating for clients, Marc enjoys traveling with his wife, swimming, biking and running. He has completed numerous IRONMAN® triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon. 

Experience

Representative Matters and Results:

  • Won complete arbitration defense award for health plan against claim by hospitals seeking over $100 million for payment of emergency services.
  • Won Ninth Circuit appeal holding that there was no coverage for a $58 million dollar judgment obtained by victims of body donation scam.
  • Obtained arbitration award in favor of health plan against $200 million claim by ten hospitals in dispute over reasonable value.
  • Won defense verdict in jury trial of bad faith failure-to-settle claim – one of the Daily Journal’s Top Defense Verdicts.
  • Won motion dismissing breach of contract and bad faith claims against insurer on claim arising from purchase of $20 million in counterfeit wine.  Affirmed on appeal.  Doyle v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 21 Cal. App. 5th 33 (2018).
  • Won $18 million arbitration award for insurer against third-party claim administrator.  
  • Obtained summary judgment for auto insurer on $50 million class action alleging that auto policy violated California law.  Affirmed on appeal.  Ramos v. Infinity Ins. Co., 669 F. App'x 887 (9th Cir. 2016).
  • Won summary judgment for insurer in action involving novel issues over coverage for misappropriation of trade name, advertising idea, and slogan.  Affirmed on appeal.  Premier Pools Mgmt. Corp. v. Colony Ins. Co., 815 F. App'x 168 (9th Cir. 2020).
  • Won defense judgment for insurer after 4-week trial of bad faith lawsuit arising from a water and mold claim for a multimillion dollar estate home.
  • Prevailed for insurer in trial on claim for violation of California Unfair Practices Act.
  • Obtained complete defense arbitration award for primary insurer sued by excess insurer on $22 million subrogation claim.
  • Won numerous other motions for summary judgment that were affirmed on appeal.  E.g., Pureco v. Allstate Indem. Co., 817 F. App'x 398 (9th Cir. 2020); Sekera v. Allstate Ins. Co., 763 F. App'x 629 (9th Cir. 2019); Minich v. Allstate Ins. Co., 193 Cal. App. 4th 477 (2011);Turner v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 92 Cal. App. 4th 681 (2001).
Credentials
Education

J.D., Harvard University, 1989, magna cum laude

A.B., Princeton University, 1985, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

California

Maryland

Honors

Recommended Lawyer, Insurance - Advice to Insurers, Legal 500 US, 2025

Best Lawyer in America, Insurance Law, Best Lawyers, 2018-2026

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating

Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2025
Memberships

Association of Business Trial Lawyers

Past President, San Diego County Bar Association - Insurance Bad Faith Section

American Inns of Court - Louis Welsh Chapter

Thought Leadership

“Reading between the lines of C.C.P. 999 – the benefits and hidden risks of California’s new statute governing time-limited demands”, APCIA Annual General Counsel Seminar, San Diego, July 2023