Chris Hintz, Sierra Environmental; MVCA Rep to CCNC JoAnn Dean, Restoration Mgmt. Co.; Eller Torres, CSAA; Rodney Day, of RMC, with MVCA Board Member Sherry Wenograd in the background.


MVCA Secretary Gaye Bishop, of Royalty Restoration Services, with the door prize ticket basket.

Rick Malone, of Unified Investigations, shares a laugh with Jeri Lyn Strauss, CSAA, as MVCA board member Don Wood, of Don's Mobile Glass looks on. Gaye Bishop calls a door prize winning number.

MVCA T2010 Treasurer Deena Lucero, of ServiceMaster of Stockton, shows the Pot of Gold monies to be given out.

Colleen Van Egmond brings clarity to recent legal decisions
By Bryan Harrison

The January 15, 2010 luncheon meeting of the Mid-Valley Claims Association featured a Case Law Review of current relevant legal decisions from attorney guest speaker Colleen Van Egmond, partner in the newly formed firm of Arata, Swingle, Sodhi & Van Egmond.

Ms. Van Egmond, who first did a similar presentation for MVCA in November 2008, presented her Top Ten Cases for 2009. The cases she discussed covered a wide variety of legal decisions, from homeowner, provider and employer liability, to medical billing practices, privacy issues, contractor/sub-contractor practices, and much more. She fielded numerous questions from the floor, and did a thorough job of translating the legaleze into plain English all could comprehend.

Kicking off the new year, the Mid-Valley Claims board of directors reaffirmed their commitment to bringing quality educational programs to the organization, and the claims community at large. This first meeting firmly met that commitment.

Next up is adjuster certification, traditionally one of the most well-attended meetings each year by the claims professionals in need of Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations recertification.

In an age of cost-cutting and leaner bottom-lines, keeping abreast of the latest trends and information is vastly more important than ever. Ms. Van Egmond served her community well with this case law review.

For more information on the cases discussed, contact Colleen Van Egmond: 209-522-2211, or by email.

Attorney Colleen Van Egmond, gave a thorough and interesting case law review at the January MVCA.

Colleen smiling for the camera. Ms. Van Egmond is a partner in the newly formed Defense-oriented firm of Arata, Swingle, Sodhi & Van Egmond.

Former adjuster Geoff Jolliff, of JM Environmental; Steve Drake, El Dorago Restoration; and Lynsey Camara, of PuroClean Home Rescue.

It was a good turnout at the January MVCA.