John (Jack) Stennett has been litigating ERISA cases since 1989 and personal injury and bad faith cases since receiving his license in 1976. He has successfully litigated cases against almost every major insurance company.
He is dedicated to representing individuals who need help obtaining the benefits promised by insurance companies and employee welfare benefit plans. Though Mr. Stennett has broad litigation experience in numerous areas of the law, he has chosen to focus his practice in this area of the law because of three simple reasons.
First, focusing on benefit claims allows him to become highly proficient in the area and provide the highest and best possible representation of his clients.
Second, he identifies with his individual clients who, on their own, are the clear underdog in any battle against an insurance company or employee trust and he loves representing the underdogs.
Third, he loves battling insurance companies who have a fiduciary duty to their insureds. Because their analysis is influenced by their own financial self interest, it is virtually impossible for an insurance company not to place their own interests above those of their insureds. Their decisions are invariably unfair and wrong.
His client's claims typically involve claims for disability, life or accidental death benefits and pension and health benefits.
Practice areas
Limited to assisting individuals with obtaining employee benefits under an employee benefit plan such as disability benefits, life insurance & health insurance benefits that have been denied. Often these claims are governed by Federal law known as ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act).
34 years
Represent individuals with claims for insured benefits either against their own insurer, a group insurer or a third party's insurer.
41 years
Languages spoken
English
Stennett & Casino
501 W Broadway Ste 1340
San Diego, CA, 92101
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1976 | 02/08/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Top Lawyer | San Diego Magazine | 2015 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Top Lawyer | San Diego Magazine | 2014 |
Top Lawyer | San Diego Magazine | 2013 |
Panelist of the Year | San Diego Lawyer Referral and Information Service | 2004 |
Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award | San Diego Trial Lawyers Association | 1989 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Stennett & Casino | 2003 - Present |
Partner | Stennett & Stennett | 1987 - 2003 |
Associate | Schall & Stennett | 1977 - 1987 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit | Admitted | 1996 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1977 - Present |
San Diego Bar Association | Member | 1977 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
American Jurisprudence Proof Of Facts, 3d Series, Vol 9,pg.307 | The Psychological Effects Of Physical Disfigurement | 1990 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
UC Hastings COL | JD - Juris Doctor | 1976 |
Linfield Coll | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1973 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Paralegal Course - guest speaker | Insurance Law | 2000 |
Paralegal Course-guest speaker | Product Liability | 1998 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Sullivan v Deutsche Bank, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122500 (SD CAL.) | Judgement for Plaintiff against UNUM Insurance |
Watts v. MetLife, 2011 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 44805 | Court awarded client back disability benefits, attorney's fees and entitlement to future benefits |
Brettelle v Life Insurance Co of N.A. 691 F. Supp2d 1249 | Court ruled that death was accidental dispite the voluntary use of alcohol. Judgement for Brettelle. |
Smith v Stonebridge Life Insurance 582 F. Supp. 1206 | Plaintiff prevailed on Sumary Judgement |
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September 26, 2014
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February 27, 2014
Jason Stone, Unknown Attorney on Jan 30, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Debra Butler, Employee benefits Attorney on Jan 29, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I gladly endorse Mr. Stennett, a long-time colleague. His experience, sensibility and perseverance make him an exceptional employee benefits, ERISA, and insurance lawyer. His careful eye, knowledge of the law, passion to help those who need it most and his personal drive to "right the wrong," while doing so in a gentlemanly manner, make him an excellent litigator.
Jason Stone, Unknown Attorney on Jan 30, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Debra Butler, Employee benefits Attorney on Jan 29, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I gladly endorse Mr. Stennett, a long-time colleague. His experience, sensibility and perseverance make him an exceptional employee benefits, ERISA, and insurance lawyer. His careful eye, knowledge of the law, passion to help those who need it most and his personal drive to "right the wrong," while doing so in a gentlemanly manner, make him an excellent litigator.
H. Collins, Insurance Attorney on Jan 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Jack and I have worked together on several matters. He is an exceptional lawyer.Juries love his folksy manner, his ethics are beyond reproach and he gives the highest level of personal attention to his clients. I refer all of my ERISA cases to his firm and if I personally needed an attorney regarding an ERISA claim, Jack is who I would call.
Anthony Strauss, Employee benefits Attorney on Jan 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I highly endorse this lawyer. I have known Jack Stennett since law school and he has repeatedly been a valuable resource for me in my practice areas (employment law and litigation) concerning ERISA issues and litigation strategy.
Jerrold Bodow, Employee benefits Attorney on Dec 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr Stennett is one of the few attorneys who concentrate in this area. He has a deep understanding of the law in the area, and meticulously prepares his cases. Beyond the technicalities of his practice, he cares about his clients, is very personally accessible, and goes the extra mile. Its a winning combination.
Donald Schwimmer, Insurance Attorney on Dec 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
William Lesh, Employee benefits Attorney on Dec 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Jack many years, both personally and professionally, and find him to have the highest standard of work ethic and integrity.
Gastone Bebi, Employee benefits Attorney on Feb 28, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Barbara Casino, Employee benefits Attorney on Feb 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working very closly with John "Jack" Stennett over several years. His knowlege of insurance law especially in the area of ERISA law far exceeds most practioners in this area. He very well respected by the bench and in the community. His passion is to represent the disabled who have been refused benfits by their insurance company. He is steadfast in his representation of his clients both in litigated as well as non-litigated cases.
Cash, Check