Craig S. Simon

Craig S. Simon is the Managing Partner at Berger Kahn. With broad trial experience representing insurers, financial companies, and business owners, Craig proudly serves as National Subrogation Counsel to a top nationwide insurer, helping to oversee recovery challenges across the country. Accomplished at handling large subrogation cases against major manufacturers and regulated utilities in mass tort events, Craig consults with businesses, insurers and financial companies on improving processes to avoid litigation.

Earning a strong track record of success in resolving the most difficult cases, Craig has acted as lead trial attorney in dozens of cases before federal and state court juries and in arbitrations across the country. He is accustomed to handling matters of exceptional complexity, including nationwide class actions and multidistrict litigation.

Particularly accomplished in defending companies in litigation involving punitive damages, Craig honed his talent through years of dedication to this specific area of practice. Working closely with clients, jury consultants, and graphic designers, and employing mock trials and focus groups, Craig strategically develops powerful and persuasive litigation themes that resonate with juries.

Craig is licensed in both California and Texas, two of the most wildfire-prone areas, contributing to his broad experience, success, and unique qualifications as an esteemed subrogrator, litigator, and attorney.

Craig enjoys litigating cases, especially those that are complicated or involve novel theories, whether the underlying matter is a business dispute or one involving insurance.

In 2021, Craig was awarded the prestigious California Lawyer of the Year Award for his work as Co-Lead Counsel for the subrogation plaintiffs in the Woolsey Fire $2.2 billion settlement. In addition, the Daily Journal named Craig among the “Top 100″ Attorneys in California for helping to achieve a $950 million settlement involving California wildfire-related cases on behalf of homeowner insurance carriers. Named to the list of Best Lawyers for 2015-present for his demonstration of excellence in his practice of law, Craig is also recognized to the list of Southern California Super Lawyers, with frequent recognition to the “Top 50 Orange County,” and “Top 100 Southern California” Super Lawyers lists.

Craig began his career consulting with insurance companies. His experience includes:

•Assisting insurers in the adoption and implementation of procedures for the handling of claims, including the drafting of claims manuals, guidelines and policies.
•Representing carriers in first-party claims In the area of property insurance. He has distinguished himself in fire and arson claims and litigation arising from such claims.
•Representing numerous insurers in the area of insurance coverage in difficult duty-to-defend litigation, which presents unique “case-within-a-case” evidence issues.
•Defending against the global attacks being made on the industry in the area of life and annuity sales. Craig has defended both individual and class actions.
•Serving as a consultant and expert witness in disputed insurance matters for both the plaintiff and defense Bar.

Craig is a frequent lecturer before industry-specific audiences, including Charter Property Casualty Underwriters, International Association of Special Investigative Units, the Insurance Committee for Arson Control, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and Public Risk Management Association. Craig also lectures before lawyer groups on trial tactics in cases involving punitive damages. He is actively involved in issues concerning law practice management and lectures on ways to improve client relations.

Craig joined Berger Kahn as a law clerk in 1975, became a principal in 1981, and in 1984 opened the firm’s Orange County office. He is the rare attorney who has served with steadfast loyalty to one firm his entire legal career and he possesses the institutional knowledge that accompanies his five decades leading Berger Kahn.

He and his wife live in Irvine, California.