Misty is a seasoned attorney with experience handling a diverse range of life, health and disability insurance litigation in both state and federal courts. She is a member of Maynard’s Insurance and Financial Services Litigation Practice and ERISA Practice.
Misty counsels and defends insurers in matters involving coverage disputes, unfair competition, welfare benefits plans concerning ERISA benefit claims and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as insurance bad faith. She advises insurers and managed care entities in matters involving provider contract and billing disputes, medical necessity, level of care, and coordination of benefits. She also works with insurance agents and broker-dealers in matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, suitability, insurance-related investment products, and FINRA disputes.
On behalf of her clients, Misty has successfully defended health insurers and managed care organizations in arbitration and court actions against provider contract and billing disputes. She has also successfully defended life, health and disability insurers from bad faith claims and punitive damage awards. Her specific ERISA background include successfully defending insurance companies and welfare benefit plans in claims for ERISA benefits and breach of fiduciary duties under ERISA in individual cases and class actions. She has defeated class certification on behalf of life, health and disability companies sued for unfair business practices and other violations. Misty has successfully defended insurers in STOLI and IOLI cases from claims of fraud, unfair business practices and other consumer violations. Her experience also includes successfully defending FINRA claims brought against broker-dealers from claims of fraud, unsuitability, and breach of fiduciary duty.
Prior to Maynard, Misty worked with a national law firm in Los Angeles where she was a member of the executive committee and served as the former leader of the firm's Business Litigation Practice Group and co-chair of the women’s affinity group.