News

21 Jul 2008

Vanessa Wells joins DLA Piper's Corporate and Finance practice in East Palo Alto

Further strengthens west coast Insurance and Reinsurance capabilities

Press Release

(East Palo Alto) – DLA Piper today announced that Vanessa Wells, a leading insurance litigator in California, has joined the firm’s Corporate and Finance practice group as a partner in the East Palo Alto office. She comes to the firm from Heller Ehrman, LLP.

Wells focuses her practice on representing certain property-casualty and life insurance companies in business litigation, primarily regulatory and other proceedings brought by the state or by individuals claiming to represent consumers as a class. She also has substantial experience in defending securities fraud and consumer class action cases and in litigating trade libel and unfair competition.

“Vanessa’s arrival will do a great deal to enhance our insurance and reinsurance capabilities on the West Coast,” added Stephen Schwab, Co-Coordinator, Global Insurance Practice Steering Committee. “Her reputation and relationships will also help us expand the firm’s already strong national practice in this area and we welcome her to the team.”

About Vanessa Wells

“Vanessa’s extensive litigation experience both in regulatory and commercial matters will contribute greatly to our Palo Alto office," said Andrew Valentine, Managing Partner of the DLA Piper Palo Alto office. “In addition, her longstanding commitment to community involvement is consistent with and will enhance the firm's leadership in areas of social responsibility and pro bono activities. "

Wells has participated in litigation concerning the interpretation, scope, constitutionality and enforcement of California's Proposition 103. She has also been involved in adjudicatory and rulemaking hearings before the California Department of Insurance, as well as proceedings brought by the California Commissioner of Insurance before the Office of Administrative Law.

She has co-authored a treatise, published by Matthew Bender, covering defamation in the business context and certain related claims such as Unfair Business Practices claims. She is currently a director and vice-chair of Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation, the public access cable channel serving several Bay Area communities.

Wells serves on the Palo Alto Little League Board of Directors and represents them on a pro bono basis. She has also been on the Board of the East Palo Alto Community Law Project for seven years.

She received a J.D. from the University of Santa Clara, summa cum laude, and an A.B. from Stanford University.