About the Firm
Harper | Selim was founded on the conviction that success is always intentional. We envisioned an environment where people felt inspired by–and connected to–the work, the clients and each other. A place with a shared desire to excel. A place where people would approach client goals with passion and support each other in achieving success. A place marked by expertise, innovation and excellence.
Our Practice
Our firm is not organized into formal specialized practice groups, because we believe that even the most complex legal matters should be approached from a generalist’s perspective. After all, the judiciary is comprised of jurists who are generalists themselves. Whether serving Fortune 500 companies or individuals, we work closely with clients to identify potential areas of exposure and minimize risk. Our services include the following practice areas:
Appeals
Our attorneys have broad experience with appeals in addition to litigation. We represent clients on appeal from both cases in which we provided counsel at the trial level, and those in which we are hired solely for the purpose of appeal. We are hired for appeals on behalf of both Appellants and Respondents. Whether it is defending a lower court victory or challenging an adverse ruling, our lawyers have the brief-writing skills, insight, and knowledge of appellate law and procedure to maximize the probability of success on appeal. Because of our experience and knowledge, we understand all of the procedural and timing issues involved with appeals, and have been very successful with appeals we have filed.
Our Appellate practice is not limited to only direct appeals, interlocutory appeals, and special actions, but also includes drafting jury instructions and high stakes pre-trial and post-trial motions, and providing our trial lawyers strategic litigation advice before, during, and after trial. We also work closely with outside counsel to develop trial strategies for their cases, and to ensure that issues are adequately and favorably preserved for appeal. Our appellate lawyers are often called upon by outside attorneys to review and revise their appellate briefs for conformity with appellate practice and filing rules.
Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation
The attorneys at Harper | Selim have experience providing representation in spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and burns. We understand the difficulties faced when a catastrophic injury occurs. We stand ready to provide consistent and aggressive representation in cases involving extensive injuries, large medical bills and significant economic losses. Our experience spans state and federal jurisdictions and results in our ability to provide our clients with exemplary representation on both the liability and damage aspects of wrongful death litigation.
Commercial Litigation
Harper | Selim assists businesses large and small in commercial litigation. We have extensive experience litigating cases involving contract disputes; misappropriation with trade secrets; interference with business relationships; unfair competition; and defamation. We are often able to resolve our business litigation actions through settlement or dispositive motions. Our clients enjoy the cost-effective results we provide.
Coverage
Harper | Selim’s attorneys provide legal opinions on various first and third party coverage issues to several national insurance companies. We supply opinions under many different types of policies, including commercial lines, personal lines and employee fidelity.
Examinations Under Oath
Harper | Selim is often called upon to handle examinations under oath (“EUOs”) for its insurance clients in matters of questionable coverage, potential fraud, or disputes over the value of a claim, among other things.
Defending Allegations of Improper Claim Handling (Bad Faith)
Harper | Selim has extensive experience defending insurance companies against allegations of wrongfully denied claims, delayed payment of undisputed claims, reservation of rights, violation of Nevada’s Fair Claims Practices Act, as well as cases involving policy rescission or cancellation. Our attorneys have successfully defended bad faith cases and requests for punitive damages, and have a proven track record of prevailing on summary judgment or resolving cases within the underlying policy limits so as to avoid any extra-contractual exposure to insurers.
Insurance Defense
Insurance defense is the cornerstone of experience for the attorneys of Harper | Selim. Our firm is routinely hired by insurance carriers on behalf of their insureds to provide a defense in many types of actions, including automobile accidents, premises liability, product liability, professional liability and construction. We manage each case efficiently and cost effectively, communicating about litigation strategy with our clients throughout, in order to ensure a successful litigation outcome. Our experience in products liability, automobile accidents, premises liability, construction defect, wrongful death, and complex civil litigation provides our clients with the best representation possible in both state and federal court.
Premises Liability
Harper | Selim regularly defends hotels and casinos, commercial properties, amusement parks and restaurants in a wide variety of premises liability actions including claims for property damage, subrogation, title, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death. Our firm also defends cases involving inadequate or negligent security claims, heavy commercial equipment, construction sites, escalators/elevators, dog bites and slip/trip and falls. Our attorneys are experienced in conducting thorough investigations and inspections of the premises to gain a full understanding of the claims and all available defenses. We have a proven track record of both jury verdicts and dispositive motions in this area.
Products Liability
Our attorneys have experience successfully defending product liability claims. We have represented manufacturers and distributors of all types of products against claims of defective or dangerous products, breach of warranty, failure to warn, and strict liability. We are well-versed in the procedural defenses that are often effective in these cases. We are also familiar with the legal, regulatory, and investigative considerations, and the technical issues involved.
Harper | Selim handles product liability claims of all sizes, ranging from those involving slight injuries or frivolous claims, to those based on catastrophic injuries or death. We analyze every case to determine the best strategy for resolution, and advise our clients on the possibility, consequences, and likely success of settlement, dispositive motions, and trial. Further, we work with our clients to develop a sensible, cost-effective approach.
Professional Liability
Harper | Selim has successfully defended clients against claims of professional negligence. Our specialty is representing insurance agents and brokers, though we have the knowledge and expertise to defend other professionals as well, including accountants and tax professionals. Claims of professional negligence often raise issues of client confidentiality and the potential effect on the professional’s ongoing business. Our attorneys are specially trained to address these issues, as well as any others that may arise in such a claim.
In professional liability matters, as in all of our cases, we work closely with the client to develop a cost-effective strategy for resolution. Early on, we meet with the client and discuss the allegations and facts involving the claim; we analyze the issues and provide a detailed litigation plan and budget; and we advise the client regarding the possibility and likely success of settlement, dispositive motions, and trial. Our clients appreciate our straightforward approach to litigation.
Seminars
On request, Harper | Selim’s attorneys can provide legal seminars on many issues, including Compliance with the Fair Claims Regulations, Litigating Summary Judgment Motions, Issues in Automobile Law, Developments in Nevada’s Bad Faith Law, and Identifying Fraud in Insurance Claims; among others.
Transportation and Trucking
Our firm has extensive experience and knowledge defending transportation related claims involving every type of accident. Our attorneys represent clients in claims for wrongful death, catastrophic loss, severe personal injuries, and property damage. In addition to automobile accidents, we defend major interstate and intrastate carriers in accidents involving tractor trailers and large transports, as well as the companies that design, manufacture, distribute, or service the component parts of the trucks or trailers.
When emergencies arise, Harper | Selim’s transportation attorneys can, at the request of carriers, insurers, and TPAs, immediately respond to an accident scene to evaluate the cause, make contact with the driver, and ensure evidence is preserved. In addition to the emergency response team, we utilize a team of field experts to assist with accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, and facilitation of interaction with any governmental entities involved. By proactively investigating transportation accidents, we are in a better position to help our clients resolve these types of claims cost effectively and timely.