Alan Swerdlow

Partner

Alan.Swerdlow@lewisbrisbois.com

Alan E. Swerdlow is a partner in the San Francisco and Walnut Creek offices of Lewis Brisbois. He represents insurance companies in connection with complex coverage and bad faith claims. Mr. Swerdlow provides counsel to those companies regarding their rights and responsibilities, and he serves as trial counsel in coverage and bad faith actions. Mr. Swerdlow also represents public entities in connection with their insurance matters, including analysis and representation regarding pooling agreements, indemnification obligations, risk management, and memorandums of coverage. He assists carriers in drafting policies, creating endorsements, and establishing methodologies for handling complex claims.

For almost 40 years, Mr. Swerdlow has also defended personal injury, construction defect, and commercial disputes. He practices in all the state and federal trial and appellate courts in California.

Mr. Swerdlow has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1987, specializing in insurance coverage and civil litigation for almost four decades. He has handled cases at every level from pre-litigation matters to matters with the California Supreme Court.

Mr. Swerdlow has been consistently listed on The Best Lawyers in America for insurance law since 2023. 

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Insurance Coverage
  • Bad Faith Litigation
  • First Party Property
  • Insurance Underwriting Advisory Services

Admissions

California

Associations

Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and the Defense Research Institute, Member.

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in America®, Insurance Law, 2024 – 2026 

Education

University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

Juris Doctor, 1987

  • Pacific Law Journal, Member

Publications

  • Montrose Chemical Corp v. Superior Court (1989) 6 Cal.4th 287 (Liability insurers were obligated to defend insured pesticide manufacturer against charges under CERCLA for hazardous waste contamination because the insured showed, prima facia, that the complaint fell within the coverage of the policies).
  • Clarendon America Insurance Company v. Matriscope (2008) U.S. Dist. LEXIS 36606
  • Clarendon America Insurance Company v. Sorg (2007) U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49097
  • Chapter contributor, Donner and Crowe, “Attorney’s Practice Guide to Negotiations,” Clark, Boardman, Callaghan, 2d Ed., 1995.