Kirsten C. Jackson

In the wake of COVID-19, when so many practitioners were struggling, Jackson thrived in her practice representing policyholders in insurance disputes as they increasingly sought coverage for pandemic-related losses.

Even though it's been a mixed bag of results across the nation for those suing insurers to recoup business interruption losses, Jackson firmly believed in her plaintiffs and continues to actively litigate those claims. Unsuccessful attempts from other policyholders did not deter Jackson.

She started off doing general practice but became interested in insurance work when she became an associate at Jenner & Block in 2010.

"I like the fact you're always getting to learn something new when you have an insurance recovery concept that is applicable to all of these cases, but the underlying claim for which you're trying to get coverage varies widely," Jackson said. "It can vary, from claims involving data breach or COVID-19, as examples. It changes with every case you do. It's the variety for me. I also like that you feel like you're doing something good when you're representing policyholders."

At just 36, Jackson is a partner at Latham & Watkins, where she was hired June 1. The move just seemed to be the right call for her, as the firm has one of the nation's leading insurance recovery practices. Jackson made partner at age 31 at Kasowitz Benson Torres in Los Angeles before her move to Latham. The journey to partner was an important process in her career.

"I love what I do, talking about insurance, and as a result of that work, I was able to bring in two pretty decently-sized cases as an associate that gave me the confidence I needed to go for partnership," she said. "It's obvious as a senior associate that I can write briefs, argue motions and do other things, but when you show your team you can contribute in this way, it really opens doors. That's how I was able to become partner at a relatively young age."

Jackson represents Chevron as a plaintiff in multimillion-dollar construct defect cases, third-party asbestos liability claims as well as Cedars Sinai Medical Center in a lawsuit against Homeland Insurance Co. of New York for contract breach relating to coverage for a medical malpractice action filed by former Los Angeles Dodgers star Rob Segedin. Chevron USA Inc. v. Wendt & Sons Construction Inc., 18CV334046 (Santa Clara Super. Ct. filed Sept. 6, 2018); Cedars Sinai Medical Center v. Homeland Insurance Co. of New York 19stcv23585 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Jul. 3, 2019).

"It's not always easy..." Jackson said of the challenges she faces being a young partner of color. "I am grateful to have wonderful mentors, and I enjoy mentoring the next generation of lawyers of color.""

-- Gina Kim