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JoLynn M. Scharrer
- Overview
Experience
JoLynn Scharrer is a shareholder at Hunt Ortmann who, for 30 years, specializes in the fields of business and insurance counseling and litigation, as well as employment. Ms. Scharrer leads the Firm’s Insurance Law Group and its Employment Law Group.
Ms. Scharrer’s practice includes the representation of clients in the areas of general liability, employment, environmental, construction defect, cyber liability, and business and complex tort litigation. She also represents insurers in all aspects of claim monitoring, handling underwriting issues, contribution matters between insurers, attorney fee disputes, agency and broker issues, and defending bad faith lawsuits. Ms. Scharrer has also handled mold, real estate, landlord-tenant and product liability claims. Ms. Scharrer has trial experience in these areas, as well as extensive experience in all forms of alternative dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. Her experience ranges from monitoring non-litigated small claims to overseeing the handling and litigation of claims valued in excess of a hundred million dollars.
Ms. Scharrer also counsels small and growing businesses in business structure, commercial, contract and insurance matters. She develops structure and other document packages including corporate documents, human resources manuals and policies, employment and business partner contracts, and intellectual property protections. She handles litigation representing businesses in employment matters and contract disputes. Ms. Scharrer addresses all concerns for the small and growing business, including marketing and e-commerce.
Ms. Scharrer is keenly sensitive to the economic demands of litigation. She is an effective and conscientious advocate for her clients, and strives to find the most efficient resolution to all conflicts, including advising clients regarding early mediation, alternative dispute resolution and trial when necessary.
Education
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
- Pacific Law Journal, Assistant Comment Editor
- Gary V. Schaber Scholarship, Academic Achievement Scholarship,
- Philomena Scalora Scholarship, Eugene McGeorge Scholarship
- Phi Alpha Delta, President
- California State University Northridge, B.A.
Bars + Courts
- All California state and federal courts
- Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin (pro hac vice)
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
- Reported Decisions
North American Capacity Ins. Co. v. Turner Construction Co. 2005 WL 1798409 (N.D. Cal. 2005);
Rosen v. State Farm General Ins. Co. (2003) 30 Cal.4th 1070;
Zero Corporation v. Employers Ins. of Wausau 1994 WL 927826 (C.D. Cal. 1994).
- Memberships
- CLM (Claims and Litigation Management Alliance)
- California State Bar Association− Litigation and Insurance Sections
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Representative Work
Ms. Scharrer currently acts as lead and coordinating counsel for a major insurer related to several declaratory relief and bad faith insurance actions regarding the bodily injury and property damage liabilities of the largest lead producers in the United States. These cases are currently being litigated in Illinois, Missouri and New York. Ms. Scharrer also provides counsel to clients related to insurance coverage for ongoing environmental issues, construction defect litigation and pre-litigation employment disputes.
Ms. Scharrer recently negotiated multiple severance agreements for various clients. She conducts claims investigations for employers, and provides California mandated prevention of sexual harassment training. Ms. Scharrer also drafts employee handbooks, contracts and specific policies and procedures for employer clients.
Her reported cases include:
North American Capacity Ins. Co. v. Turner Construction Co. 2005 WL 1798409 (N.D. Cal. 2005);
Rosen v. State Farm General Ins. Co. (2003) 30 Cal.4th 1070;
Zero Corporation v. Employers Ins. of Wausau 1994 WL 927826 (C.D. Cal. 1994).
Ms. Scharrer tried two lengthy environmental insurance coverage cases involving multiple parties and sites. The first, Imcera Group v. Liberty Mutual, involved significant issues and resulted in a favorable ruling for her clients. The second trial was a two-week bench trial also involving multiple sites for which coverage for pollution clean-up costs was sought. Ms. Scharrer has also tried to verdict jury trials in the employment discrimination/wrongful termination area and premises liability area.
- News + Publications
News
Law Roundup: Contractors Liable for Unpaid Wages and Benefits of Subcontractors’ Workers – Daily Journal
Increased Sick Leave in California: Dead or Alive? – Daily Journal
Unanimous Calif. Supreme Court Finds Negligent Hiring and Supervision Invokes Coverage – The Recorder
JoLynn (Pollard) Scharrer named in “Law360 Names Attys Who Moved Up The Firm Ranks In Q1”
Montrose and Horizontal or Vertical Exhaustion: Is the Long-Tail (Claim) Wagging the Dog? – Insurance Journal
What are the obligations under California’s new Labor Code provisions?
Court to Weigh CGL ‘occurrences’ and Third-Party Claims – Daily Journal
Press Release: Hunt Ortmann Elevates JoLynn Pollard to ShareholderPublications
(Care),Custody, (and Control) Battles in Construction: The McMillin Decision and Its Insurance Implications
Client Alert: Is it Time to Update Your Arbitration Agreement?
New California Insurance Laws 2019
New California Employment Laws 2019-Part III
New California Employment Laws 2019 – Part II
New California Laws Impacting Employers – Three Part Series
Employers, Rejoice: Class Action Waivers in Arbitration Agreements Are Enforceable!
No Liberty For Insurers – Negligent Hiring And Supervision Invokes Coverage
Federal Court Rules That GrubHub Drivers Are Independent Contractors
Buried Claims Can Be Covered Claims – An Insurer’s Duty to Defend Employment Claims is Broad!
2017 Employment Law Round-Up – What Employers Need to Know Going Forward
Providing Notice of a Claim to Your Insurer
Awards + Memberships
