Hogan Lovells announced today that it has further expanded its presence in Silicon Valley with the addition of insurance litigator Vanessa Wells as a partner in the Litigation, Arbitration and Employment practice. Wells is highly regarded for her experience in the representation of insurance companies in complex litigation in California, with a particular focus on pricing issues, business regulation matters, and unfair competition disputes.

“Vanessa’s stellar reputation as a litigator within the insurance industry and her strong ties to the California market make her an ideal addition to our growing presence in the Bay Area as well as our to our broader global litigation and insurance platforms,” said Craig Hoover, Co-head of Hogan Lovells’ Litigation area.

“Vanessa’s many years of experience working closely with the insurance industry and her superb command of California regulatory and legislative matters complement our existing healthcare plans litigation practice,” said Megan Dixon, Office Managing Partner for Hogan Lovells’ San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices.

Wells advises insurance company clients on matters of strategic concern such as rate negotiations, structure, and approval, compliance and legislative/regulatory developments. Her extensive experience in these areas includes representation of clients in adjudicatory and rulemaking hearings before the California Department of Insurance and in Insurance Department workshops, as well as in proceedings before the Office of Administrative Law.

“I look forward to working with my Hogan Lovells colleagues to further build a practice centered on a core of compliance, business, and strategy advice to insurance companies, in addition to advising on related litigations,” said Wells. “With its global footprint and exceptional strength within the insurance sector, Hogan Lovells offers an incredible opportunity to advise clients on the West Coast and beyond on an array of mission-critical litigation and regulatory matters.”

Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Wells was a partner with Sedgwick LLP in San Francisco.

The addition of Wells is the latest component of Hogan Lovells’ expansion of its litigation practice on the West Coast. Her arrival coincides with that of litigator Dean Hansell in the Los Angeles office and follows the arrival of life sciences litigator Barry Thompson, who also joined Hogan Lovells’ Los Angeles office as a partner in February.

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