Chapman Popik & White LLP

CPW attorneys have represented individuals and businesses in appeals and writs in state and federal courts throughout California. Some of these matters involve cases we have tried, but most are referred to us by trial counsel or clients who recognize the value of hiring attorneys with specific appellate expertise to handle their appeals. The firm’s appellate practice is led by Sue Popik, who is certified as a Specialist in Appellate Law by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization.

CPW attorneys have handled appeals involving insurance coverage and bad faith, civil rights, attorney malpractice, malicious prosecution, libel, employment, judicial misconduct, class actions, unfair competition law, and a variety of business torts. Many of these cases have involved issues of first impression, and we are proud to have helped shape the law of California. In major trials where an appeal is likely, we have been retained to work with trial counsel in formulating and preparing pre-trial motions, instructions and post-trial motions to create the strongest possible record on appeal. We are regularly invited by the appellate courts to participate as friends of the court in cases involving particularly significant or complex issues.

Frye v. Tenderloin Housing Clinic, 120 Cal. App. 4th 1208 (2004) [review granted]
Priebe v. Nelson, 199 Cal. App. 4th 235 (2004) [review granted]
Whelihan v. Espinoza, 110 Cal. App. 4th 1566 (2003)
Uhrich v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 109 Cal. App. 4th 598 (2003)
Planned Parenthood v. American Coalition of Life Activists, 290 F.3d 1058 (9th Cir. 2002) [amicus]
Golden Gateway Center v. Golden Gateway Tenants Ass'n, 26 Cal. 4th 1013 (2001)
Kraus v. Trinity Management Services, Inc., 23 Cal. 4th 113 (2000)
Anderson v. Reno, 190 F.3d 130 (9th Cir. 1999)
Mez Industries, Inc. v. Pacific National Insurance Co., 76 Cal. App. 4th 856 (1999) [amicus]
Bongen v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., 925 P.2d 1042 (Alaska 1996)
Waller v. Truck Insurance Exchange, 11 Cal. 4th 1 (1995) [amicus]
State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. v. Metropolitan Dade County, 639 So. 2d 63 (Fla. App. 3d Dist. 1994)
Ward v. City of San Jose, 967 F.2d 280 (9th Cir. 1991)
Mitchell v. Gonzalez, 54 Cal. 3d 1041 (1991) [amicus]
Prudential-LMI Insurance v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 3d 674 (1990) [amicus]
Davis v. United Services Automobile Ass'n, 223 Cal. App. 3d 1322 (1990)
Howell v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 218 Cal. App. 3d 1446 (1990)
Garvey v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 48 Cal. 3d 395 (1989)
Walsh v. Bronson, 200 Cal. App. 3d 259 (1988)
Isbister v. Boys' Club of Santa Cruz, 40 Cal. 3d 72 (1985)
Robins v. Pruneyard Shopping Center, 23 Cal. 3d 899 (1979)