Jim Pattillo and Gaby Ruiz obtained a complete summary judgment on behalf of their client in the Northern District of Alabama. The plaintiffs claimed their property was stolen by a company they hired to conduct an estate sale prior to moving. The insurer denied the claim and the plaintiffs sued for bad faith. At issue was the definition of “theft” in the context of an insurance policy. The term was not defined in the policy. On behalf of the insurer, Pattillo and Ruiz argued that the plain and ordinary meaning was not ambiguous. The Court held that the insurer had a debatable reason for denying the claim and granted summary judgment on the bad faith claim thus granting a complete dismissal with prejudice.
Jim Pattillo is a partner in the Birmingham, Alabama office of Christian Small, LLP. With nearly 20 years of litigation experience in both state and federal courts in Alabama and more than 70 trials to verdict, he focuses his practice on matters involving insurance coverage and bad faith liability, business and commercial litigation, and professional and product liability. In addition, Mr. Pattillo frequently assists in special investigations involving a variety of fraud involving insurance claims as well as vendor fraud and institutional fraud. Gaby Ruiz is an associate in the Birmingham, Alabama office. She defends clients in the areas of Insurance (first-party and liability matters), Product Liability, General Liability, and Transportation. Ms. Ruiz is fluent in Spanish.
About Christian & Small
Christian & Small LLP represents a diverse clientele throughout Alabama, the Southeast, and the nation with clients ranging from individuals and closely-held businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. By matching highly experienced lawyers with specific client needs, Christian & Small develops innovative, effective, and efficient solutions for clients. With offices in Birmingham, metro-Jackson, Mississippi, and the Alabama Gulf Coast, Christian & Small focuses on the areas of litigation and business, is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, and is the only Alabama-based member firm in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Our corporate social responsibility program is focused on education, and diversity is one of Christian & Small’s core values.
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