Stephen L. Raucher

University of California, Berkeley – School of Law (J.D. 1992)
(Certificate in Environmental Law)
University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., summa cum laude, 1989)

Stephen L. Raucher

Vice President and Director

BACKGROUND

Stephen Raucher’s practice emphasizes general business litigation, including real estate and contract disputes. He also has an impressive track record in helping clients resolve insurance coverage issues. Mr. Raucher has tried and arbitrated numerous cases to decision, and has extensive experience at the appellate level as well.

Mr. Raucher has devoted substantial amounts of his time to improving the legal profession and the administration of justice. In 2010-2011, he served as President of the Beverly Hills Bar Association (“BHBA”), an organization with over 4,000 members on the Westside of Los Angeles. Before that, he had served as chair of the BHBA’s Litigation Section, and as a young lawyer, was President of the BHBA Barristers. While in the Barristers, he led a nationally recognized program which provides senior citizens with legal assistance. He currently serves as chair of the BHBA’s Amicus Committee, advocating in the appellate courts on matters of public interest. Mr. Raucher is also a past member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Trustees.

Mr. Raucher has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” year after year since 2009 in Los Angeles Magazine, and was previously honored as a “Rising Star.”

REPRESENTATIVE RESULTS

Real Estate

Defense judgment after bench trial in favor of a commercial property owner against handyman’s helper who was injured on the job.

Argued before the California Supreme Court in a case involving a non-profit corporation’s challenge to property assessments under Proposition 218, obtaining unanimous reversal.

Assisted landlord in obtaining an insurance defense for habitability case and thereafter settling the case utilizing insurance proceeds.

Obtained binding arbitration award for client in long-running family dispute over real estate business, resulting in a monetary award of $400,000 plus indemnity rights worth over $1 million.

Obtained summary judgment for real estate developer client, defeating fraud and quiet title claims.

Represented multi-family housing property owner and property management company in habitability case brought by 50+ plaintiffs, settling case with insurance proceeds.

After a court trial, obtained a judgment worth over $500,000, including interest and attorney’s fees, for breach of fiduciary duty against a partner in an affordable housing real estate venture whose conduct had caused the partnership to lose property tax exemptions.

Insurance

Obtained an $860,000 settlement on behalf of insured client against property insurer following water intrusion at client’s property. After the insurer failed to pay the claims or even issue a coverage position, the firm vigorously pursued bad faith and breach of contract claims which resulted in the substantial settlement.

Secured insurance defense for trademark claims alleged against toy marketing company, allowing for settlement of the dispute.

Secured a $275,000 settlement and release of a $1 million letter of credit for insured client based on disputed calculations of retrospective premium in connection with general liability/professional liability policy.

Negotiated a $748,000 discount for client on premiums for workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance policies after demonstrating through extended mediation the insurer’s improper claims handling.

Recovered a total of over $4.7 million from multiple insurance carriers by litigating bad faith and breach of contract claims assigned to client, the general partner and developer of a housing complex, by the general contractor for the complex. The general contractor had tendered claims to numerous insurers but they refused to provide a defense, leading to the lawsuit and subsequent recovery.

Business Disputes, Appeals

Obtained reversal on appeal in a long-running partnership dispute, forcing the other side to sell their partnership interests at an extremely favorable price pursuant to a prior judgment.