Philip D. Witte Partner University of Chicago Law School, J.D., Associate Editor, The University of Chicago Law Review; Princeton University, A.B., with honors. Resident Office: California Download vCard

Mr. Witte's legal practice has focused on insurance coverage and insurance litigation since 1989. Prior to that, he handled cases in such diverse areas as antitrust, securities litigation, employment disputes and business torts. He has also worked as an in-house counsel for a leading California insurer.

Mr. Witte has tried cases to verdict before judges and juries in California, and has successfully argued dozens of motions for summary judgment. He is counsel of record in the following appellant decisions, among others: Travelers Casualty & Surety Co. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau, 130 Cal.App.4th 99 (2005) (contribution action between liability insurers); Republic Indemnity Co. of America v. Schofield, 47 Cal.App.4th 220 (1996)

(directors and officers of professional corporation not covered under employer's liability policy for sex discrimination claim); Wilson v. Fair Employment and Housing Commission, 46 Cal.App.4th 1213 (1996) (FEHC lacked jurisdiction to decide pilot's age discrimination claim); Johnson v. Mammoth Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 605 (9th Cir. 1992) (party not permitted to amend complaint after pretrial offer entered per Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)). He has also written numerous articles on insurance and litigation issues, and has been a featured speaker at insurance seminars.

By appointment of the Superior Courts of San Francisco, Marin, and Alameda Counties, Mr. Witte has served as an arbitrator, mediator and judge pro tem in cases involving contract disputes, personal injury and professional liability. He has also served as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Witte has received several professional awards, including Outstanding Pro Bono Lawyer by the San Francisco Bar Association and the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services by the State Bar of California.