Jeffrey M. Carson is a partner in the Insurance Practice Group in our Orange County, California Office. Jeff handles all areas of insurance coverage law including assisting clients with Special Investigation Unit investigations, insurance policy interpretation, issues regarding independent counsel, bad faith litigation, actions for declaratory relief, disputes between multiple coinsurers and related appeals. Jeff has prepared hundreds of legal opinions regarding insurance coverage questions and prides himself of finding practical, efficient solutions to difficult situations. His clients have included insurers, insurance agents and brokers, claims professionals and policyholders. Jeff also has experience in the defense of personal injury litigation and has assisted clients with related fraud investigations.
Jeff received his B.A. from the University of San Diego and his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He currently works out of Tressler's Orange County office.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Orange County, California. I went away to college in San Diego and went to law school in Los Angeles. I came right back to Orange County and settled down after graduation with my wife. We have two daughters.
What was your first job?
My first job was at Taco Bell, working the register, washing dishes and crafting fine Mexican cuisine.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love camping with my wife and two daughters. The kids and I participated in a group of dads and daughters that planned camping trips all over Southern California during the girls’ elementary school years. We have had so many fun adventures and created a special bond through spending time setting up camp and hanging outdoors. Our family continues the camping tradition even as the girls grow older.
Jeff and his family rafting in Lake Tahoe.
What is on your bucket list?
I spent 30 days traveling through Europe with friends after college and I would love to recreate that trip with my wife. We love to travel, and that would be an awesome trip.
Jeff and his wife, Carrie, at a concert.
Why did you decide to become an attorney?
I was a philosophy major in college and took classes in logic and ethics, which led me to a lot of analytical writing and reading classic books regarding principles that are fundamental to the law. I like figuring out problems and using analytical reasoning to come up with solutions to difficult issues.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I drop off my oldest daughter at school for “zero period” at 7am, and then try to get to the gym or get in a run before heading into the office. When I get into the office, I prioritize what needs to be done that day and get started with my most urgent project. During the day, I often take a walk at lunch time. My work mostly entails analysis of coverage issues for insurers, talking out difficult situations with insurance company clients and appearing in court for litigation of coverage disputes.
Why did you choose your areas of practice?
In law school, I took a class called “Insurance Law” that was taught by Rex Heeseman, a great coverage attorney and one of the authors of the best insurance law treatise in California. I immediately was fascinated by insurance coverage law, and searched for law firms that specialize in this area of practice out of law school. I found some great mentors in the practice area and have not turned back since.
What do you like most about Tressler?
Tressler specializes in the area of practice that I have built my career on. The firm has all the resources that a lawyer practicing in this area could ask for. The firm is not too large to feel like I am a member of a specialized team, but is big enough to handle any type of case. I feel like Tressler equips me with all the tools that I need to maximize my potential.
What are you most proud of, professionally and/or personally?
Professionally, I am proud of the satisfaction that my clients express with the work we do, the personal interactions and relationships I’ve made with clients who have become friends and the success in court over the years. Personally, I am happy to have a loving and tightly knit group of family and friends. My personal and professional success is only possible due to my great support system.
Name one interesting job you had?
One interesting job I had was working at my family’s business, a store called Architectural Salvage of San Diego (architecturalsalvagesd.com). The store carries vintage building materials like stained glass windows, old ornate doors and hardware and interesting odds and ends that are salvaged from old buildings or other sources. This helps people to find that missing piece that completes their home design, or is no longer made or could be used for an art project. I worked at the store all the way through college, going to demolition sites, delivering products in my pick-up truck and learning about building materials in the store as I helped customers. It was a great way to learn about the history of architecture and a cool job to have in college. I moved on to law school, but love going back to see how the store has grown over the last 25 years.
Architectural Salvage of San Diego.
Jeff can be reached at jcarson@tresslerllp.com. Learn more about our attorneys by visiting www.tresslerllp.com/attorneys.
