Bernadine Stolar's practice has centered on the representation of insurance companies in coverage disputes and the defense of difficult and emotionally charged cases. She has taken countless Examinations under Oath, leading to resolution of claims before litigation. She has served as an instructor for the California Conference of Arson Investigators on courtroom presentation skills.

Bernadine's calm and steady hand regularly brings litigated matters to a sensible conclusion, despite the hyperbole so often used by her opposing counsel.

Favorite Cases

A contractor sought millions in additional compensation for the construction of a multi-phase housing project. The Housing Authority asserted that it had overpaid by millions. The case included false claims allegations, a multitude of contract issues, disputes over the reasons for repeated delays on the project, and prevailing wage issues. Robie & Matthai was retained after an initial trial result was overturned on appeal. Despite the animosity generated during the prior years of litigation, Craig and Bernadine successfully brought the case to conclusion with a settlement that, among other rewards, barred the contractor from bidding on public projects.

After filing suit against an insurance carrier for its improper refusal to pay any portion of the Housing Authority's defense costs, Bernadine obtained summary adjudication against the carrier and ultimately secured a $1,750,000 settlement for the Housing Authority.

Bernadine worked closely with Jim Robie in preparation for and the trial of a first-party bad faith action in which the plaintiff claimed a multitude of disabling injuries allegedly resulting from exposure to mold. The firm's extensive library on mold exposures and the work done with our highly qualified experts resulted in a defense verdict and a judgment for the carrier of over $100,000 for costs of suit. Plaintiff's expert, Dr. Gary Ordog, who was then regularly testifying for plaintiffs in mold cases, was discredited during trial. The information uncovered by the firm's investigation of his past testimony was used by the California Division of Medical Quality to issue a three-month suspension of his license and order that Dr. Ordog was not permitted to engage in forensic practice for 7 years.

Working closely with Edith, Gabrielle and Natalie, Bernadine defended Little League on multiple molestation cases brought after a coach was convicted of molesting team members. In the initial round of litigation, many of the players had also sued Sports Illustrated for an article in which a team photo was published without obscuring the faces of the boys, and with a caption suggesting that all of the boys on the team had been victims of the coach. Robie & Matthai was successful on multiple summary judgments on the ground that no "legal cause" could be attributed to Little League. The rulings were upheld on appeal.

Bernadine successfully resolved a bizarre action brought by a former prisoner, who alleged that she was sexually assaulted while being transported from state prison to county jail. The case was significantly reduced in value by the discovery of an overly explicit "love letter" from the plaintiff to one of the involved guards, and her compromising correspondence to a former boyfriend who came forward to contradict the plaintiff's claims.

Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• State Bar of California
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel

Education

• Loyola University, J.D., 1987
• Texas Tech University, M.A., 1977
• Loyola Marymount University, B.A., 1974

Admissions

• California Courts 1987
• U.S. District Court: and Central, 1987, Northern, Southern, Eastern Districts of California, 1994