The Impact of COVID-19 on Litigation and Risk Management
Seymour B. Everett, III
Managing Partner, Everett Dorey LLP
Two areas that have suffered from COVID-19’s remote meetings are mediation and jury trials. In-person mediation is much more effective to help litigators become accustomed to an unfamiliar process, as well as bridging the gap and conveying the value of compromise considering all parties’ best interest. While some jury trials have reconvened in-person, with safety precautions of social distancing and face coverings, there comes great difficulty with keeping remote jurors accountable. Without being in a courtroom, jurors face many distractions and risk being impartial in observing the case.
The challenges of COVID-19 have also brought positive long standing impact for risk management and litigation, such as accessibility, diminished overhead costs, minimized barriers for entry into the workforce and education, increased collaboration and the destigmatization of working remotely leading to less productivity.
Seymour B. Everett, III
Managing Partner, Everett Dorey LLP
Summary of Qualifications
Sy is a trial attorney with extensive experience related risk management and loss prevention. As a member of American Board of Trial Attorneys and also a CPCU, Sy provides a unique perspective based on victories in the courtroom and pretrial resolution of high profile ground breaking cases. As a former adjunct ADR law professor at USC Gould School of Law, Sy understands what it takes to effectively mitigate losses, mediate and resolve cases. Also, as a former elected official in the State of California he provides policy and governmental insight to defending public entities. He is considered a preeminent speaker on the Impact of Covid-19 on litigation and risk management, having presented numerous presentations on the topic to national, state and local organizations.
Responsibilities
Sy is the co-founder and managing partner of Everett Dorey LLP. Everett Dorey LLP is a full service civil litigation with offices in Northern and Southern California. Everett Dorey LLP prides itself on its legal acumen, trial record, experience and its ability to put clients in the best position to succeed. The core values of the firm include unmatched responsiveness, cutting edge technology, a commitment to diversity, gender equity and the recruitment and retention of exceptionally talented litigators. As a lead trial attorney, Sy is responsible for numerous high exposure trials and the retention, training and mentoring of attorneys and risk professionals.
Business Experience
Prior to Everett Dorey LLP, Sy was the managing partner and also an equity partner at an AMLAW firm. As the co-founder and managing partner of Everett Dorey LLP, he works closely with his partner, Samantha Dorey, to manage all aspects of the Everett Dorey LLP business.
ERM Experience
Sy has served as a consultant to leaders of numerous public entities, joint power insurance authorities, private insurance carriers and private businesses concerning ERM programs.
Professional Affiliations
ABOTA (American Board of Trial Attorneys) member, CPCU designation, Super Lawyer designation and nationally ranked Lawyer of Distinction.
Education
Sy obtained his undergraduate degree in political science from UCLA and his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. In addition, he holds the CPCU designation.
