Hon. James Lambden

California Court of Appeal, (Ret.)

First District, Division Two

​​Mediator • Arbitrator • Discovery Referee • Appellate Consultant

Justice James Lambden brings to his ADR practice nearly four decades of experience as a trial lawyer, trial court judge and Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal.

Insurance Code §2071 Appraisal Arbitrations

Representative Cases

• Appointed Umpire in multiple Appraisal Arbitrations under provisions of California Insurance Code Section 2071, including water damage and claims arising from the wildfires in the wine country and Central Valley.
  
  

• Justice Lambden was the author of Devonwood Condominium Owners Assoc. v. Farmers Insurance Exchange (2008) 162 Cal. App. 4th 1408.
  
  

• Devonwood was applied in an award based on the insurer’s argument that although the damage was undisputed the cause of the water damage could have been from a source not covered by the policy.
  
  

• Lee v. California Capital Ins. (237 Cal. App. 4th 1154) was applied conjunction with Devonwood in cases where the disputed scope of damage by fire/water included items argued not to have been damaged.
  
  

• Devonwood was applied in awards where parties disputed the coverage of alternative living expenses.