Vanessa H. Widener

Vanessa has the privilege of serving as one of the Managing Partners of the Firm. As a civil litigation attorney based out of the Firm’s Los Angeles office, her advocacy for clients takes her to jurisdictions throughout California. While litigation is her passion, Vanessa appreciates the benefit of striking a balance between litigation and resolution and looks for opportunities to find creative and early solutions to clients’ problems including engaging in alternative dispute resolution. Her robust practice involves a range of complex commercial and real property matters including prosecuting and defending actions on behalf of title insurers, escrows, real estate owners, and lienholders. While each case has its own nuances, Vanessa often handles disputes arising out of quiet title claims; neighbor disputes fueled by allegations trespass and nuisance; resolution of easements rights; challenges to real property ownership and validity of liens arising out of fraud and forgery claims; transactions involving liability of real estate brokers, escrows and title; probate and trust litigation matters including Probate Code 850 (quiet title) petitions; litigation against credit unions, financial institutions mortgage loan servicers and lenders arising out of a myriad of issues; and general business disputes. In addition to her litigation skills, Vanessa also represents insurers in connection with the investigation of claims and analysis of coverage under the policy.

Vanessa is an active member of the Title Insurance Litigation Committee of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice section of the American Bar Association. She has held many leadership roles on the Committee including co-author of the Recent Developments in Title Insurance chapter of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Vice Chair of Membership and Vice Chair of Finance/Treasurer. She has been instrumental in securing speakers who are experts in the title insurance industry to participate in the Committee’s bi-annual meetings. On a local level, Vanessa is also an active member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Title Insurance Subsection of the Real Property Section and serves on the steering committee which curates content for continuing legal education seminars.

Vanessa is happiest when spending time with her family at their favorite spots, Disneyland and Green Valley Lake.