Overview

About Timothy Richard Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan began his practice with McCormick Barstow in 1986. After practicing elsewhere, including being a founding partner in a small firm, he returned to McCormick Barstow in 2008. Although he has tried cases to verdict in many subject areas, including real estate disputes, agent errors and omissions, title insurance disputes, and a wide range of business related litigation ranging from breach of contract to fraud and unfair business practices, his practice now focuses upon insurance coverage and bad faith. In addition to over 25 jury trials, Mr. Sullivan has also tried numerous bench trials involving breach of contract and declaratory relief. His trial practice has taken him from the federal courts to county courts throughout the San Joaquin Valley. He has also handled appeals in the California Supreme Court, the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Fresno, and the U.S. Ninth Circuit. Mr. Sullivan has often spoken at training seminars for both insurance professionals and lawyers on subjects pertaining to insurance and trial practice. He has also written chapters on property insurance, liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, title insurance and bad faith for five books published by the Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), a program administered by the State Bar and the University of California. Mr. Sullivan is admitted to practice law in California (1987); the U.S. District Courts, Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California; and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Practice Areas
Education
SchoolFocusDegreeYear
University of MissouriJuris Doctor (1986)
Honors: Tim was selected to represent Mizzou in the Nelson National Moot Court Competition. Tim and his partner beat out teams from some of the most prestigious law schools in the nation to receive the "Best Brief" award.
Activities: Tim completed the Clinical Law Program and Internship in the Office of the Public Defender of Boone and Callaway Counties, and received recognition for his "high academic achievement and faithful service."
University of MissouriPolitical Science B.A. (1983)
Honors: Tim was awarded an Honors College Certificate [more than 20 units of Honors College courses, and a GPA over 3.5].
Activities: Tim served as a Legislative Intern for Missouri State Senator Harriett Woods. He testified before a joint Senate/House subcommittee regarding the fiscal impact of one of Senator Woods' bills. He also received an award for "extraordinary service" from the Missouri House of Representatives.
Websites
Jurisdictions
LocationYear Admitted
California1987
9th Circuit1992
Professional Activities
ActivityOrganizationStart YearEnd Year
Member, Executive CommitteeReal Property Law Section, California State Bar 2007
Details: Tim was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Real Property Law Section of the California State Bar. His term runs from 2007 to 2010.
Vice PresidentFresno County Bar Association 2009
Details: Tim was elected as First Vice President of the Fresno County Bar Association for 2009-2010.
DirectorFresno County Bar Association 2005
Details: Tim was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fresno County Bar Association in 2005, and is still a Director.
Awards
AwardOrganizationYear
Northern California Super LawyerSan Francisco Magazine2008
Tim was selected for inclusion as a 2008 Northern California Super Lawyer in the field of Insurance Coverage by the publishers of Law and Politics and San Francisco Magazine. No more than 5% of the lawyers in Califorina can qualify for this honor.
Professional Affiliations
PositionYears
Member, California State Bar1987-Current
Member, Fresno County Bar Associaton 1987-Current
Member, Association of Defense Counsel1987-Current
Member, Association of Business Trial Lawyers (San Joaquin Valley Chapter)2001-Current

Publications

Publications
TitlePublisherPublished
ABCs and BOPs: What Every Real Estate Lawyer Needs to Know About Property InsuranceCalifornia State Bar, Section Education InstituteJanuary, 2009
This Continuing Legal Education course was presented at the State Bar Section Education Institute. It presented a broad overview of how the most commonly-issued types of real property insurance work. The program discussed: how policies are structured; exclusions and exceptions to exclusions; policy limits; how property is valued after a loss; and the insured's duties after a loss. Common types of ancillary coverage will also be addressed. This program was intended for real estate attorneys who need a working knowledge of how property insurance works and what types of coverage their clients should consider.
California Real Estate Brokers: Law and LitigationCEBJune, 2009
This CEB book describes broker responsibilities in detail. Covers both residential and commercial transactions in California and the relationship between real estate brokers, salespersons and their clients in acquiring, selling, and leasing real property. In depth discussion of broker errors and omissions policies.
Construction Contracts, Defects and Litigation CEBJanuary, 2009
This CEB book provides the expert advice and analysis and practical forms an attorney needs for both transactional and litigation practice, including insurance and indemnity agreements. It includes a discussion of multiple types of insurance coverage that may apply to construction defect claims.
Real Property Sales Transactions (4th Ed.)CEBFebruary, 2009
This CEB book guides an attorney through every detail of commercial and residential real estate transactions from the time a client enters your office until the close of escrow. It includes a comprehensive discussion of property and liablity insurance coverages that may apply in real estate sales transactions.
"CLRA" Can Be A Four Letter Word For California BusinessesAssociation of Business Trial Lawyers2008
This article provided an overview of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and its impact on California businesses.
Bad Faith Insurance Claims in CaliforniaNational Business InstituteJune, 2008
This basic-to-intermediate level Continuing Legal Education seminar was designed to help attorneys, claims adjusters, claims managers, risk managers, insurance agents, paralegals and other professionals avoid bad faith claims if they can - or successfully defend them in court.
California Title Insurance Practice (2d Ed.)CEBJune, 2008
This CEB book allows an attorney to confidently advise clients on title company products and title insurance and successfully prosecute and defend title disputes and foreclosures. It includes a comprehensive discussion of the structure and coverage of title insurance policy forms.
Environmental Liability: Financing and Insurance IssuesCalifornia State Bar, 2008 Annual MeetingSeptember, 2008
This Continuing Legal Education seminar was presented at the Stae Bar 2008 Annual Meeting. It presented a comprehensive overview of the different types of insurance policies available for environmental contamination, and coverages available to allow remediation of contaminated properties.
Landlord Liability Insurance: Why an Old Lease May Need to Learn New TricksCalifornia Real Property Journal 2008
This Continuing Legal Education article provided an overview of liability and property requirements and indemnity provisions in commercial leases.
Office Leasing: Drafting and Negotiating the LeaseCEBSeptember, 2008
This CEB book provides everything an attorney needs on every aspect of negotiation and putting together an office lease. It includes a comprehensive discussion of insurance coverage and indemnity agreements.
LiveVault, Lojack, RemoteKill, Oh My! How Can You Protect Your Computer Data?Fresno County BarNovember, 2007
This Continuing Legal Education article presents options for safeguarding, storing and recovering computer data.
"Claw Backs" and "Safe Harbors": The New Federal Electronic DIscovery RulesFresno County Bar AssociationDecember, 2006
This Continuing Legal Education article discussed the new federal rules governing discovery of information stored in various types of computer and electronic systems.

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McCormick Barstow LLP
5 River Park Place East
P.O. Box 28912
Fresno, CA, US 93729-8912
 
Fax: +1 (559) 433-2300
Telephone: +1 (559) 433-1300