Yelitza Dunham has over two decades of experience advising clients in all facets of insurance coverage including those involving cybersecurity, privacy, and intellectual property infringement risks. She has extensive experience litigating insurance cases pertaining to D&O, E&O, property, general liability, fiduciary, professional liability and life insurance products in arbitration and in state and federal courts. Yelitza has successfully managed trials and appeals, and cost effectively resolved complex high stakes coverage disputes short of litigation.
- Litigated and arbitrated medical reimbursement claims on behalf of a major insurance company.
- Advised clients on a variety of insurance issues including recovery for COVID-19 related losses.
- Secured insurance recoveries for among others, a luxury goods manufacturer sued in multiple lawsuits for consumer data privacy violations; an internet services provider sued for copyright infringement; a cosmetics company embroiled in a trademark infringement lawsuit; a nutritional products company facing false advertising and RICO claims; a national clearing firm seeking coverage for various claims, including FINRA claims; an employee targeted by the DOJ in a price-fixing investigation; and an oral care manufacturer for lawsuits involving publicity rights claims.
- Recovered favorable settlements for one of the world’s largest systems integrators seeking more than $100 million in insurance coverage; a hedge fund client defending against commodities manipulation, securities, and bankruptcy claims; a computer and data storage company that suffered business interruption losses as a result of storms and flooding at its supplier’s overseas manufacturing facilities; a private investment management firm and its directors defending against an SEC investigation; a major luxury goods client seeking indemnity coverage for cases involving sexual harassment and retaliation claims; and a telecom giant targeted by an insurer with a subrogation claim.
Pro Bono
- Secured a substantial settlement for client who was denied medical treatment after being assaulted by prison guards.
- Presenter, Crime Fidelity Insurance: Key Issues in Preparing Financial Loss Claims, ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Conference, 2022
- Presenter, Insurance Coverage for Patent and Other Intellectual Property Risks, International Law Association Meeting, 2019
- Presenter, Total Cost of a Claim: How Do You Maximize Recovery from a Non-Data Breach Event?, Advisen Cyber Risks Insights Conference, 2018
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California
Community Involvement
- Harvard Early College Awareness Program
Education
- J.D., University of California Berkeley, School of Law, 2001
- Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law
- Prosser Award in Insurance Law
- B.A., cum laude, English Literature & Language, Harvard University, 1998
Honors
- Federal Pro Bono Project Award, Federal Pro Bono Project, United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Languages
- Spanish