Sheila M. Totorp

Associate

Sheila Totorp is an associate in our Irvine office. An experienced litigator, Ms. Totorp focuses on efficient and effective resolution of insurance coverage, construction defect, professional liability, product liability, large commercial losses and wrongful death lawsuits. She also represents insurers in declaratory judgment actions and lawsuits alleging bad faith and extra-contractual claims.

Ms. Totorp also has significant experience counseling general liability insurers on a variety of policies, including standard and manuscript liability, personal injury and advertising injury, additional insured and vendor endorsements and officer and director liability. She advises insurers on a wide-range of issues including the duty to defend and indemnify, property damage, business torts, construction defect, environmental claims, named insured and additional insured issues, and the interpretation of excess and umbrella policies.

Prior to joining Clausen Miller, Ms. Totorp spent several years in private practice focusing on large, high-profile insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. Her practical approach to complex issues is grounded in her combination of litigation and insurance experience.

Practice Highlights

  • Successfully negotiated complex settlement of multi-party construction defect claim involving alleged damages exceeding $3 million against client's insured.
  • Successfully mediated several cases involving complex coverage issues.
  •  Instrumental in implementing a strategy for final resolution and settlement of homeowner vs. HOA lawsuit that was ongoing for 6 years.

Ms. Totorp obtained her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern School of Law in May 2002. While in law school she worked as a law clerk for a litigation firm in Los Angeles and as a contract administrator for a high-profile talent agency. Ms. Totorp was also a member of the Southwestern Journal of Law and Trade in the Americas and received 1st Place Team and Best Brief at the Regionals of the ABA National Moot Court Competition. She received her Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University.

Education

  • B.A. San Diego State University, 1998
  • J.D. Southwestern University School of Law, 2002

Bar Admissions

  • California

Court Admissions

  • California State Court
  • Southern District of California
  • Central District of California
  • Northern District of California

Organization Affiliations

  • Defense Research Institute
  • American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Orange County Women Lawyers Association