Laurence F. Padway

I have been a civil trial lawyer in California since 1978, representing consumers and employees whose insurers have wrongfully denied their claims in a wide variety of cases, mostly involving insurance policies covering disability, life and health insurance, and retirement plans.  Many cases involve ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which was enacted in 1974 and governs most claims which arise under employer sponsored benefit plans.

Admitted to practice November, 1978

Licensed to practice before all California state courts;

Licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Northern District of California, Eastern District of California, United States Court of Federal Claims

B.A. University of California Santa Barbara, 1975

J. D. University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall School of Law)  1978

Padway & Padway, 1978 – 2000

Law Offices of Laurence F. Padway, 2000 –

Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, National Board of Trial Advocacy

Diplomat, National College of Advocacy, American Trial Lawyers Association (now called the American Association for Justice) (Requires 400 hours of specialized education)

Superlawyers (listed in Employee Benefits/ERISA)

Martindale Hubbell rated AV Preeminent

Yates v. GunAllen Financial, C-05-1510 BZ (N. D. Cal., 2006) Customer sued stock broker for “churning” and excessive commissions. Jury awarded losses of $240,382, plus interest of $35,941.92 and punitive damages of $1,442,292 against GunAllen, and $120,191 punitive damages against the broker, Curt Williams.  The Court found the punitive damages against GunAllen excessive and a new trial on that issue was ordered.  On the second trial, the jury awarded punitive damages of $586,000. GunAllen appealed the punitive damage award.  The Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment.

Parrish v. Alameda County, 2007 Westlaw 2904253 (N.D., Cal., 2007).  Children sued for County’s failure to provide medical attention to their father, who was in jail, resulting in their father committing suicide.  After trial, the jury hung 7-1 in favor of the children.  The case then settled for $500,000.

Robinson v. Chin and Hensolt – San Francisco’s cable car turntables were improperly rebuilt, making the cable cars too hard to turn, causing back and knee injuries to the operators.  After we demonstrated that the builder had used improper bearings in the turntables, the City and County of San Francisco agreed to and did rebuild the turntables.

Prado v. Allied Domecq Spitits and Wine Group Disability Income Policy, 800 F. Supp. 2d 1077 (N. D. Cal., 2011). Court held that disability plan administrator had a conflict of interest which had a marked and pervasive effect on its claim process.  Disability benefits granted.

Minton v. Deloitte and Touche USA LLP Plan, 631 F. Supp. 2d 1213 (N. D. Cal., 2009) Court held that administrator erred in disregarding evidence of fibromyalgia.  Disability benefits granted.