Mona Z. Hanna

Hanna is an experienced trial lawyer defending against unfair competition and business practice claims. Recently, however, she had the rare opportunity to go to trial on a class action suit.

Hanna represented Knight Management Insurance Services Inc. in a class action alleging the insurance company and its co-defendant Midway Rental Car Inc. violated California Department of Insurance guidelines by selling optional car insurance at a rate greater than the rate approved by the department. The plaintiffs also allege Knight Management and Midway charged a fee for insurance contracts apart from the insurance premiums without disclosing those fees to customers, violating California Business and Professions Code, according to the complaint. Angelone et al. v. Midway Rent A Car Inc. et al., L.A. Super. Ct., BC485275.

"The rental car company is actually the policyholder. They're the insured under the policy, but they can extend coverage to you on their policy," Hanna said. "The question is whether or not the rental car company charging a policy as an agent of the insurance company is violating the Department of Insurance guidelines. Can they charge a fee for that? There is actually no law on that issue."

The case of first impression went to trial in January, and closing arguments are scheduled for May 24. The class has some 60,000 claimants.

"That was really something: to have the chance to try a class action case that is going to be on the cutting edge of a new area of law," Hanna said. "The judge, throughout the trial, conceded that no matter who wins, he knows it's going on appeal."

In addition to the insurance industry, Hanna has expertise in the advertising and digital media and financial services sectors. Her clients include Sterling Casualty Insurance, Freeway Insurance, Lawyers Title, Answer Financial and Rightscorp Inc.

The managing partner of Michelman & Robinson's Irvine office is founder of the Women Attorneys of M&R and a member of her firm's Executive, Recruiting, and Diversity, Multiculturalism and Inclusion committees. She also sits on the Smart Women's Circle for Working Wardrobes, an organization that helps individuals overcome difficult challenges and assimilate back into the workforce.

— Jennifer Chung Klam