Adam Stoddard

Adam Stoddard is a partner in the firm and has represented developers, general contractors and their insurance companies specializing in the representation of businesses and individuals in complex construction defect litigation, contract, and fraud-based disputes. This included representation ranging from Fortune 500 companies, to national builders and to individual board members of non-profit corporations through the initial investigation, pre-litigation process, and trial.


Adam also worked for a prominent plaintiff's law firm representing homeowner's associations in complex construction defect cases. This provided Adam with a practical approach to critically evaluate construction defect claims and implement effective resolution strategies through mediation and settlement negotiations.


Adam currently practices in both State and Federal courts specializing in the defense of medical malpractice, elder and dependent adult abuse, premises liability, Government Tort Claims, defense of civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, defense of EMTALA claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1395, intentional torts, and premises liability on behalf of physicians, hospitals, physician practice groups and other healthcare providers in civil litigation matters.

• Free Consultation

California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 272691

Partner/Shareholder

Zenere Cowden & Stoddard APC

2012 - Current

Adam currently practices in both State and Federal courts specializing in the defense of medical malpractice, elder and dependent adult abuse, premises liability, Government Tort Claims, defense of civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, defense of EMTALA claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1395, intentional torts, and premises liability on behalf of physicians, hospitals, physician practice groups and other healthcare providers in civil litigation matters.

Attorney

Sheuerman, Martini, Tabari, Zenere & Garvin

2017 - 2021

Specializes in medical malpractice defense, elder abuse, premises liability, and representation of physicians in Medical Board licensing matters and nurses in Board of Registered Nursing matters.

Attorney

Craddick Candland & Conti

2016 - 2017

Adam's practice focuses on the defense of professional liability claims on behalf of physicians, hospitals, physician practice groups, and other healthcare providers in civil litigation matters and in binding arbitration.

Attorney

The Miller Law Firm

2015 - 2016

Adam M. Stoddard joined The Miller Law Firm as an Associate Attorney after 12 years of representing developers, general contractors, and their insurance companies, specializing in the representation of businesses and individuals in complex construction, contract, and fraud-based disputes. This included representation ranging from Fortune 500 companies, to national Builders, to individual Board Members of non- profit corporations through the initial investigation, pre-litigation process, and trial. Adam has also represented clients in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Civil Rights Violation cases. These experiences generate important insight to our Association clients, providing Adam with a practical approach to critically evaluate construction defect claims and implement effective resolution strategies through mediation and settlement negotiations.

Attorney

Lorbert Greenfield & Polito

2011 - 2015

? Specializing in complex construction defect litigation with an emphasis in developer and general contractor representation. ?Taken numerous PMK, PMQ, percipient, and expert depositions. ? Settled numerous complex cases involving a large number of homeowners and subcontractor parties without client or carrier contribution. ? Excellent track record of obtaining additional insured acceptances from insurance for the defense of clients. ? Managing large case loads while meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. ?Highly capable and confident at arguing all forms of motions. ?Ability to prepare a case for and handle all aspects of arbitration.

Attorney

Bustamante O'Hara & Gagliasso

2010 - 2011

After passing the July 2010 Bar Exam I was retained by Bustamante, O'Hara & Gagliasso as an Associate. I worked on construction defect, civil rights violations, class actions and personal injury cases. I was responsible for drafting motions, discovery responses, document subpoenas, privilege logs, document reviews, and case management appearances.

Lincoln Law School

J.D. (2010)

2006 - 2010

San Jose State University

B.A. (2006) | Political Science

2003 - 2006

State Bar of California  # 272691

Member

Current

Q. My grandma purchased from national life in 1986. She’s paid twice what the policy is worth. Should she still be paying?

November 15, 2024

A: It really depends on what the insurance policy and terms say. Your grandma's relationship with National Life is contractual. If she is paying a monthly or annual premium to keep the policy active, if she stops paying, she may no longer be able to receive the benefits of the policy. You should obtain a copy of the policy and review it. That is the first place you should start. Others may chime in here, but it is difficult to give sound advice with the limited information you provided. Good luck!

Q. Are there civil litigation attorneys that work pro bono or on a contingency fee? If so, could you recommend one, please?

October 16, 2024

A: I'm sorry that you had to go through that with the dog and then things were compounded by you feeling abandoned by your attorney.

I think the problem with the case is that it sounds good until you find out that the dog owner did not have any insurance. It is much easier to get a pay day when insurance is involved.

Let's say you go to trial and the jury says you are entitled to $200,000 or more. Now you need to collect on that debt. The process can be difficult to say the least. You would need to compel the dog owner to Court, conduct an investigation into their assets, then attempt to levy their bank accounts or place liens on their property. Even if you do place a lien on their property, that does not mean you get paid. That just means the lien needs to be satisfied before the homeowner can refinance or potentially sell the property.

I'm not trying to say that it would be impossible to get paid, but most plaintiff law firms that take a case on a contingency basis do not want to put that much work into a case to get paid. ... Read More

Q. I'm seeking a contingency fee lawyer to handle a construction dispute involving approximately $100K in damages.

September 13, 2024

A: What you describe is not the typical type of case that most attorneys will take on a contingency basis (at least from my experience). For something like this, I would charge an hourly rate to serve a demand letter and/or litigate the matter and whatever is recovered at the end would be yours. Others may chime in here, but these types of cases are a little bit difficult and by no means a slam dunk, so a contingency would be dissfavored.