Michael K. Brisbin

In the intricate and often challenging world of civil and commercial litigation, having a seasoned attorney by your side can make all the difference. For individuals and businesses across California, particularly those navigating complex disputes involving insurance claims, employee benefits, or contractual disagreements, the need for experienced and strategic legal counsel is paramount. The legal landscape in the Golden State, especially in a bustling hub like San Francisco, demands a litigator who possesses both deep legal knowledge and a pragmatic understanding of trial and appellate procedures. This is where Michael K. Brisbin, a highly experienced Senior Counsel, offers his considerable expertise to clients throughout California.

Michael K. Brisbin is a Senior Counsel in the San Francisco office of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP (GRSM), a prominent national law firm. He is a key member of the firm's Insurance, Bad Faith, General Liability, and Life, Health, Disability & ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) practice groups. With a career spanning over three decades, Mr. Brisbin brings invaluable perspective as a seasoned litigator in both commercial and civil litigation. His practice primarily involves representing clients in complex disputes with insurance companies, defending against bad faith claims, and handling matters related to life, health, and disability insurance benefits governed by ERISA. He has a proven track record as a first-chair trial attorney in federal and state courts, and has successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. For Californians seeking robust defense or strategic counsel in disputes against large entities, particularly in the insurance and benefits sectors, Michael K. Brisbin offers dedicated and effective legal advocacy, leveraging his extensive courtroom experience to achieve favorable outcomes.

Michael K. Brisbin, as a Senior Counsel at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, operates from the firm's well-established San Francisco office. The office is prominently located at 525 Market St, 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA. This address places the firm within a prime financial and commercial district, a central hub for business activity and legal services in the Bay Area.

The accessibility of this location is a significant advantage for clients throughout California, particularly those in the Bay Area. The office building at 525 Market Street is ideally situated for those utilizing public transportation. It is within comfortable walking distance of several major BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) stations, including Montgomery Street and Embarcadero, which offer extensive connectivity throughout San Francisco and to surrounding Bay Area counties like Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Mateo. Additionally, numerous Muni (San Francisco Municipal Railway) bus and light rail lines serve the immediate vicinity, providing convenient options for intra-city travel.

For clients who may need to drive, various public parking garages and lots are available in the surrounding blocks. While urban traffic and parking can sometimes be challenging in downtown San Francisco, the central location aims to minimize travel time for many. The office suite on the 17th floor provides a professional and discreet environment for legal consultations, ensuring privacy and ease for clients discussing sensitive litigation matters. This prime and well-connected location underscores Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP's commitment to being a readily available and impactful legal resource for individuals and businesses in California.

Michael K. Brisbin's practice at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, offers specialized legal services primarily focused on defending clients in complex litigation, particularly within the insurance and benefits sectors. His areas of expertise include:

• Insurance Litigation: Representing insurance companies and policyholders in disputes over coverage, policy interpretation, and claims handling. This can involve a wide array of insurance lines, including property, casualty, and commercial policies.
• Bad Faith Litigation: Defending insurance carriers against allegations of acting in "bad faith" by unreasonably denying or delaying claims, and also, potentially, representing policyholders who believe their insurer has acted in bad faith. His experience includes first-chair bad faith trials.
• Life, Health, Disability & ERISA: Specializing in disputes related to life insurance, health insurance, and short-term and long-term disability benefits. A significant part of this involves litigation arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which governs most private-sector employee benefit plans. He has extensive experience in ERISA bench trials.
• Commercial Litigation: Handling a broad range of business disputes, including breach of contract claims, commercial torts, and other conflicts that arise in a business context. His experience includes first-chair breach of contract trials.
• General Liability: Representing clients in various general liability claims, which can encompass premises liability, personal injury defense, and other tort-based actions.
• Appellate Practice: Experience in handling appeals, including oral arguments before federal appellate courts like the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, demonstrating his capability to handle cases through all stages of the legal process.

Michael K. Brisbin stands out through several key features and highlights that underscore his effectiveness and commitment to his legal practice:

• Extensive Litigation Experience: With over 30 years as a litigator, Mr. Brisbin brings a wealth of experience in both civil and commercial litigation. This includes significant time as a first-chair trial attorney, which means he has direct, hands-on experience leading cases in court.
• Proven Trial Record: He has successfully served as first-chair counsel in multiple trials, including ERISA bench trials in U.S. District Court, and breach of contract and bad faith trials in California Superior Courts. This track record demonstrates his ability to effectively present cases and achieve favorable outcomes in court.
• Appellate Court Success: His experience includes successfully arguing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as evidenced by affirmed decisions in cases involving complex ERISA issues. This indicates his strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills at the appellate level.
• Specialized Insurance & ERISA Knowledge: His membership in the Insurance, Bad Faith, and Life, Health, Disability & ERISA practice groups highlights a deep specialization in these complex and often highly regulated areas of law, offering invaluable expertise to clients in these sectors.
• Invaluable Perspective: As described by his firm, his extensive experience brings "invaluable perspective" to his legal team and, by extension, to his clients, particularly in understanding the nuances of insurance defense and benefits litigation.
• Leadership within Academia: His involvement with the Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees, including serving as Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of other key committees, demonstrates leadership, a commitment to governance, and a broad understanding of organizational complexities.
• Robust Educational Background: A J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law and a B.A. in Government and Religious Studies from Saint Mary's College of California provide a strong academic foundation for his legal practice.

As a highly experienced Senior Counsel at a major law firm, Michael K. Brisbin, like most professional legal practitioners, adheres to ethical guidelines that generally preclude traditional consumer-style "promotions" or "special offers." However, for prospective clients, a significant inherent benefit of engaging an attorney of his caliber is the strategic value he brings:

Expert Case Evaluation & Strategic Counsel: The primary "offer" for clients is the opportunity to receive a thorough and expert evaluation of their complex insurance, ERISA, or commercial litigation matter. While specific fee arrangements for initial consultations would be discussed upon contact, the value lies in gaining strategic insights and a clear understanding of potential legal pathways from an attorney with extensive trial and appellate experience. This initial engagement allows individuals and businesses to assess the strength of their case, understand the defense strategies available, and determine how Mr. Brisbin's deep knowledge can be leveraged to their advantage.

Companies and individuals in California seeking formidable representation in insurance, bad faith, or ERISA disputes are encouraged to contact Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP to inquire about scheduling a consultation with Michael K. Brisbin to discuss their specific needs and the firm's engagement process.

To connect with Michael K. Brisbin and the legal team at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP for your complex litigation needs, here is his contact information:

Address: 525 Market St 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Phone: (415) 433-0990

Mobile Phone: +1 415-433-0990

The most efficient way to initiate contact is by phone, allowing you to briefly outline your legal challenge and inquire about scheduling a consultation. The firm's San Francisco office is centrally located and easily accessible, positioning it ideally to serve clients not only in the immediate Bay Area but also across the wider California region, providing accessible and expert legal defense and advocacy.

For locals in California, especially businesses and individuals navigating complex insurance claims, bad faith disputes, or ERISA-related benefit challenges, Michael K. Brisbin is an exceptionally suitable and powerful legal ally. His strategic location at 525 Market St, 17th Floor, in San Francisco places him within a major commercial and legal hub, ensuring convenient access for clients across the Bay Area via extensive public transportation links. This local presence facilitates direct consultation and collaborative strategy, which is paramount in complex litigation.

What truly makes Michael K. Brisbin ideal for Californians is his deep specialization and extensive trial and appellate experience in areas critical to the state's residents and businesses. In a state with a vast and intricate insurance market and numerous employers offering ERISA-governed benefits, disputes can be frequent and financially significant. His proven track record as a first-chair trial attorney and his success in the Ninth Circuit demonstrate his ability to effectively litigate against powerful adversaries. For any Californian facing a denied insurance claim, a complex disability benefits dispute, or a significant commercial litigation matter, Michael K. Brisbin offers not just legal representation, but seasoned advocacy designed to navigate the legal complexities and strive for the best possible outcome.