Valerie Burgess Email Address

Partner

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP is a law firm that founded in 1927.

I help businesses resolve large, complex disputes in creative ways -- whether through trial, motions or settlement. As a trial lawyer, I represent clients in almost every industry, including healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, retail, insurance, entertainment, technology and real estate. I help workers' compensation insurers with claims handling, underwriting, coverage and premium disputes. I also help corporate clients resolve disputes concerning governance, contingent compensation, and merger and purchase agreements. I handle disputes around the country, and in international arbitration. The following are a few cases I have handled: -- Trial counsel for a large insurer in a certified class action involving 160,000+ class members and $2 billion in alleged damages. I was primarily responsible for liability issues. After a 7 month trial, we won on all liability issues, which completely vindicated our client. -- Lead trial counsel for a large retailer in a representative action brought by customers concerning allegedly excessive sales tax reimbursements. After a bench trial, we won a complete defense judgment, with the Court finding that our client collected the proper amount of tax. -- Trial counsel for a large insurer in a certified class action. We decertified the class, had the case dismissed with a combination of demurrer and summary judgment motions, prevailed in part on appeal, and defeated a later class certification motion, which ended the case. Other insurers sued by the same attorney paid millions to settle the same cases against them. Our client paid nothing. -- Lead trial counsel for a large insurer in a wrongful cancellation case. After a two week trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict for our client. I negotiate creative settlements, including settlements of about $50 million in favor of my clients. I find that an intelligent, efficient strategy is a very effective way to control litigation costs.