Philip H. Lo

Philip H. Lo is a Partner in the Orange County office of GRSM. He focuses much of his practice in litigation. His core practice is insurance defense, encompassing several areas, including professional liability. Philip’s practice includes federal and state courts, as well as binding arbitration, trials, and administrative hearings.

His professional liability practice includes the defense of various professionals, including, but not limited to, physicians, medical professionals, hospitals, treatment and rehabilitation centers, attorneys, architects, engineers, agents, and brokers. Specialty areas of professional liability include innovative therapies and treatments involving embryos, as well as managed care liability. Employing both medical malpractice and products liability experience provides an edge in preparing the defense of medical professionals utilizing innovative science and technology.

Philip also defends corporations from civil and criminal liability, governmental actions, and regulatory hearings, as well as white collar and corporate criminal actions and the misappropriation of trade secrets and proprietary information.

He has a strong environmental and product liability practice, focusing on toxic torts and products involving strict liability, fraudulent concealment, and unfair practices claims for liability.

He believes that a strong defense is created well before trial begins, often resolving actions favorably for clients through the strength of his discovery and motion practice. Ever mindful of the economic pressures facing his clients, Philip vigorously defends his clients and their bottom line. He believes in a partnership with both the insured and the insurer, enabling him to successfully defend the insured effectively and efficiently. Corporate clients also appreciate this approach, which is collaborative with general counsel while providing cost effective service.

Admissions

• Supreme Court of California
• Supreme Court of Nevada
• U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California
• U.S. District Court, Nevada

Memberships

• Inns of Court
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
• The State Bar of California
  • Insurance Law Committee, Member and Vice Chair 2009-2012
  • Insurance Law Committee, Chair, 2012-2013
  • Business Litigation Committee, Charter Member, 2013-2015

Representative Experience

Philip has successfully:

• Defended a life insurance agency (IMO) in a multi-million dollar action for fraud and professional negligence related to the procurement of multi-million dollar life insurance policies resulting in a successful motion for summary adjudication that led to a de minimis settlement.
• Defended medical group accused of losing and mishandling harvested embryos.
• Defended anesthetist in wrongful death action for less than cost of defense.
• Defended a manufacturing company in an action for copyright infringement over use of designs which resulted in a "cost-of-defense" settlement.
• Defended an architect firm for design defect in a multi-million dollar claim of a large hotel, casino, and podium project resulting in a "cost-of-defense" settlement.
• Defended an engineering firm for design defect in a multi-million dollar university science laboratory which resulted in a dismissal of all claims.
• Defended clothing manufacturers in a copyright infringement claim over the use of designs which resulted in a de minimis settlement.
• Defended manufacturing companies in complex toxic tort actions which resulted in de minimis settlements.
• Defended a company in a business litigation involving trade secrets which resulted in a "cost-of-defense" settlement.
• Obtained judgment on behalf of a company in a commercial lease action.
• Obtained judgment on behalf of a company in a commercial fraud action.
• Argued before the California Court of Appeal (Allen Pacific, Ltd. v. Superior Court (1998) 57 Cal.App.4th 1546).

Presentations

• Essentials of Insurance Law, 2010
• Medicare Mandatory Reporting, 2010

Publications

• Author, Federal Trade Commission Issues Landmark Decision Involving Online Therapy Provider, August 2023

Education

J.D., University of California, Hastings Law School, 1995

B.A., Psychology and Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles, 1992

• Chinese (Mandarin)

What do you enjoy most about your practice?

I enjoy representing clients who are invested in their business or profession. Businesses and individuals, whether insured or not, are entitled to the effective and efficient representation. I envision a business relationship with my clients, whereby my legal representation supports the client. Having that relationship is what I enjoy most about my practice.

What is the secret to obtaining successful trial results?

Successful trial results start at the beginning of the action, through analysis of claims and the execution of discovery and motion practice.

What are your favorite pastimes when you are not practicing law?

When not representing my clients, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two boys. I am a big sports fan, especially basketball and football.