Frances M. O'Meara

Frances M. O'Meara: Attorney with Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Frances O’Meara is a partner in WSHB’s Los Angeles office. She is a nationally-recognized professional malpractice attorney who concentrates her practice on errors and omissions defense for attorneys, accountants, architects, insurance agents, real estate brokers, appraisers, doctors, and nurses. Frances is certified by the California State Bar as a Certified Legal Malpractice Specialist. She advises professionals and law firms on legal professional and ethical issues, issues relating to risk management and loss control, and cyber security and data privacy risks.

Frances works directly with major insurance carriers throughout the United States, non-insured attorneys, large corporations, healthcare providers, and financial institutions. She has extensive experience in D&O financial lines and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on fidelity, fiduciary, and surety claims investigation and litigation. Frances also defends healthcare providers with claims related to healthcare management, assisted living, dental malpractice, and nursing.

She is experienced in defending general liability matters arising from premises liability, trucking, automobile, and accident claims involving property damage, personal injury, and wrongful death. Her clients have included bars, restaurants, property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and trucking companies.

Frances also has experience in employment litigation, including discrimination claims, employment contracts, retaliation, sexual harassment, and sexual assault/molestation claims. She additionally handles fidelity and bond matters throughout the State of California.

Newsroom

News

•Frances O'Meara Named 2025 Woman of Influence by Los Angeles Business Journal
Firm News, 5.26.25
•Frances O'Meara Named CLM Professional of the Year in Outside Defense Counsel Category
Firm News, 4.10.25
•Partner Frances O'Meara Named Finalist for CLM Professional of the Year in Outside Defense Counsel Category
Firm News, 2.19.25
•WSHB Partner Frances O'Meara Selected as Finalist for CLM Professional of the Year Award
Newsroom, 3.1.24
•Powerhouse Trial Partner Frances O’Meara Joins WSHB
Firm News, 7.19.22

Events, Seminars & Speaking Engagements

•Speaker, 'How Generative AI is Changing the Practice of Law,' CLM Annual Conference, Dallas, TX (April 10, 2025)
•Speaker, 'Insurance Law in California,' The Seminar Group, Marina del Rey, CA (March 21, 2025)
•Speaker, 'YP 'Poutine' Together a Legal Malpractice Defense Checklist To Spot Common Summary Judgment Arguments,' ABA National Legal Malpractice Conference, Vancouver, BC - Canada (September 18-20, 2024)
•Speaker, 'To Be or Not to Be in Arbitration,' Defense Lawyers Association of Wyoming (DLAW) (August 1, 2024)
•Speaker, 'Nuclear/Catastrophic Exposure,' Professional Liability Defense Federation (PLDF) (June 4, 2024)
•Speaker, 'Beware of Breaking Bad Lawyers: The Impact of Badly Behaving Lawyers on the Legal Profession,' ClaimsXchange Education on Location Conference, Nashville, TN (April 18, 2024)
•Speaker, 'Breaking Bad: The Impact of Badly Behaving Lawyers on the Legal Profession,' CLM Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA (April 3, 2024)

•Speaker, 'The New Old Game in Town,' Allied World (March 2024)

•Speaker, 'With Apologies to Rod Stewart: We Don’t Stay Young Forever,' DRI Professional Liability Seminar, New York, NY (November 29-December 1, 2023)
•Instructor, 'California Fair Claims Regulations,' CapSpecialty, Hartford, CT (September 25-27, 2023)
•Speaker, “Selecting and Working with Expert Witnesses” and “Investigating & Evaluating Professional Lines Claims,' CLM Claims College, Baltimore, MD (August 16-19, 2023)
•Instructor, CLM School of Professional Lines (2023)
•Instructor, CLM School of Professional Lines (2022)
•Speaker, 'Professional Liability: How to Overcome Obstacles Perpetuated by the Pandemic,' CLM Focus (June 15, 2022)
•Speaker, 'Don't Waiver from Risk Management: Learn to Spot Conflicts and Other Red Flags at Intake,' Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (March 17, 2022)
•Speaker, Hinshaw Annual Legal Malpractice Risk Management Conference ( March 2022)
•Instructor, CLM School of Professional Lines (2021)
•Speaker, 'Poor Decisions,' ClaimsXchange (2021)
•Instructor, 'Investigating & Evaluating Professional Lines Claims,' CLM School of Professional Lines (September 8, 2021)
•Instructor, CLM School of Professional Lines (2020)
•Instructor, CLM School of Professional Lines (2019)
•Instructor, “All About Professional Liability Claims,” PLUS University (August 5, 2019)
•Speaker, 'Alexa Draft a Motion for Summary Judgment,' CLM Cyber Management and Professional Liability Conference (July 10-12, 2019)
•Speaker, 'A Rabbi, a Priest, and an Imam Walk into a Bar - Alternative Judicial Forums for Resolution,' CLM Annual Conference, Orlando, FL (March 13-15, 2019)
•Speaker, 'You Got Issues: Lawyers E&O Insurance Coverage,' DRI Professional Liability Seminar, New York, NY (November 29-30, 2018)
•Speaker, 'Airbnb - B-ware and B-legal,' CLM Management and Professional Liability Conference (July 27, 2017)
•Speaker, '50 Shades of Grey ... Hair ... Recognizing the Client with Diminished Capacity, Argo Panel Counsel Summit Seminar (June 28-29, 2017)
•Speaker, 'Social Media, Fitbits, and Smartphones - Practical Tips to Handling New Sources in Discovery,' Allied World Counsel Summit (May 9, 2017)
•Speaker, 'The Exception Letter: When the Insured Pushes Back,' DRI Insurance Coverage and Claims Institute, Chicago, IL (April 7, 2017)
•Speaker, 'Succession Planning and 'Aging Out' of Attorneys: Developing a Comprehensive Strategy for Succession Planning,' ACI-LPL Legal Malpractice Conference, New York, NY (October 24, 2016)
•Speaker, SoCal PLUS Cyber Insurance Conference (October 20, 2016)
•Speaker, 'California Fair Claims Act,' Allied World (May 19, 2016)
•Speaker, 'TMI: The Positives of Over Sharing,' ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar (March 4, 2016)
•Speaker, 'Claims Handling Experts: How to Find Them, Manage Them, and Win with Them,' Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar (March 6, 2015)
•Speaker, 'Anticipating and Resolving Claim Issues In a Tough World,' Claim Advocacy & Bad Faith Workshop (October 29, 2014)
•Speaker, 'California Fair Claims Regulations,' RSUI (May 12, 2014), Allied World (May 13, 2014), YorkPro (July 29, 2014)
•Speaker, 'Strategies for Defending Legal Malpractice Litigation,' RSUI (April 18, 2014)
•Frances O'Meara to Speak at Applied Financial Lines Lawyers' Forum
Speaking Engagement, 6.18.25

Publications

•Litigation Funding Reform Stalls Again: What It Means for California Businesses
Article, 9.2.25
•The Coming Storm: Defending Insurance Agents and Brokers Against E&O Claims in the Aftermath of the L.A. Fires
Article, 3.28.25
•California Supreme Court Eliminates Prejudice Requirement for Waiver in Arbitration Agreements
Case Updates, 9.26.24
•Don’t Miss Your Shot: Preserving the Power of Arbitration
Article, 10.23.23
•Beware: Arbitration Clauses Might Not Be the Costs-Saving Solution in the Long Run
Case Updates, 5.16.23
•Attorneys Duty to Notify Opposing Party of Intent to Seek a Default
Case Updates, 10.31.22
•You Don’t Want to “Shoot a Missed Approach” from Your Adjuster’s Desk, October 17, 2016
•A Cautionary Tale: Regarding Arbitration Agreements in Professional Liability Retainers, October 27, 2014
•California Supreme Court Upholds Class Action Waivers but Finds PAGA Representative Actions Cannot be Waived, June 26, 2014
•Suggestions for Insurance Agents Responding to Questions Regarding Mold, Mealey’s Litigation Report: Insurance Broker Liability, Vol. 4, 5, July 8, 2008

In the News

•Litigation Funding Reform Stalls Again: What It Means for California Businesses
•WSHB Wins ICRAA Cases, Helping to Shape the Landscape for Landlord and Property Management Liability
•Frances O'Meara Named 2025 Woman of Influence by Los Angeles Business Journal
•Frances O'Meara Named CLM Professional of the Year in Outside Defense Counsel Category

Honors & Recognitions

•Selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America for Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (2024 - 2026) and Insurance - Law (2025 - 2026) in Los Angeles, CA
•Named a Woman of Influence: Attorney by the Los Angeles Business Journal (2025)
•CLM Professional of the Year Award - Outside Defense Counsel (2025)
•Selected as an AV Preeminent Attorney - Judicial Edition - by Martindale Hubbell (2025)
•Named to Los Angeles Business Journal's Top 100 Lawyers List (2024)
•Finalist, CLM Professional of the Year Award - Outside Defense Counsel (2024)
•Southern California Super Lawyers (2013-2025)
•Pasadena Magazine Top Attorney - Professional Malpractice (2023)
•Named a Woman of Influence: Attorney by the Los Angeles Business Journal (2023)
•Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney
•Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
•VIP Woman of the Year - National Association of Professional Women (2014)
•Designation of Certified Litigation Management Professional: CLM Litigation Management Institute, hosted at Columbia Law School - October 2013

Litigation Counsel of America.

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Areas of Practice (5)

  • Professional Liability
  • Legal Malpractice
  • Directors and Officers (D&O) Litigation
  • Complex Tort and Casualty
  • Insurance

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Stanford University, M.S., 1979; Stanford University, B.S., 1978
Law School Attended:
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, J.D., 1988
Year of First Admission:
1989
Admission:
1989, California
Memberships:

Memberships

•Chair - Leadership Team of CLM's Cyber, Management, and Professional Liability Community Board (2023)
•Advisory Board of CLM - Cyber/Management Professional Liability Section
•CLM Claims College Executive Committee/Instructor - 2017

•Chair of CLM Conference Committee (2016-2017)

•CLM Professional Liability Advisory Board (2016-2017)

•Chair of DRI's Professional Liability Committee (2013-2015)

•DRI's Professional Liability Committee (2010-2013)

•Vice Chair of DRI's Professional Liability Committee (2011-2013)

•Women in Law Committee

•Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC)

•Board of Governors of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA)

•Diversity Liaison for the Defense Research Institute (DRI)

•California Board of Legal Specialization - Certified Legal Specialist in Legal Malpractice

•Committee Chair (Advisory Board) - Management & Professional Liability Community Committee (CLM)

•Committee Chair (Lead Chair) - Real Estate Professionals Committee (CLM)

•Board Member - Management & Professional Liability Community

•Community Chair (Advisory Board) - Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Community

•Community Chair (Co-Chair) - Wiki Guidelines

•Committee Chair - Committee Conference Committee

Reported Cases:
Experience: Trials: Gregory v. Solari (2022) - Invasion of Privacy - Defense; Gianelli v. Woolsey (2022) - Legal Malpractice Underlying EPL - Defense; Letgolts v. Pierce (2021) - Legal Malpractice - Defense Affirmed Appeal; Rashti v. Borenstein (2020) - Legal Malpractice - Defense Verdict Appeal Affirmed; Park v. Ryu (2019) - Legal Malpractice - Defense; Maurice v. Harlan (2019) - A&E Post Trial Judgment in Favor of Defendant; Watercourt v. Adams Wine/Westoaks Commercial Group - Defense Verdict (2019), Appeal affirmed (2020); Saleigh v. Stone (2018) - Legal Malpractice - Defense; Biggins v. Newlee (2015) - Defense Verdict Affirmed Appeal; Anthony Perez v. Bradford Brown, et al. (2013) - Legal Malpractice E&O - Defense; Lin v. Rand Medical Billing (2012) - Professional Liability E&O - Defense; Seongsu Kim, et al. v. Lim Ruger & Kim LLP (2012) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Biggins v. Newlee (2011) WL 5842849 (Cal.App. 2 Dist. 11/22/2011) - Legal Malpractice E&O - Defense; Williams v. Hilb, Rogal & Hibbs Ins. Services of California, Inc. VC044754 (9/9/2009) - Insurance Agent Malpractice E&O - Defense; Kresich v. Stolpman, Krissman, Elber & Silver, LLP (2008 WL2231683) - Legal Malpractice E&O - Defense; Valentine v. Membrila Services BC240280 (5/10/2004) - Insurance Agent Malpractice E&O - Defense; Stimpfel v. Fensten & Gelber BC159394 (3/6/2002) - Legal Malpractice E&O - Defense; Bolton v. Trope SC037295 (10/22/1999) - Legal Malpractice E&O - Defense; Defense Judgments via Motions: F.D.I.C. v. Levitt 2011 WL 4591933 (S.D.Cal. 10/03/2011) - Appraiser Malpractice E & O; F.D.I.C. v. Munoz 2011 WL 4357186 (C.D.Cal. 9/19/2011) - Appraiser Malpractice E & O; Sverdlin v. Yollin (2011) - Real Estate Malpractice E & O; Alsaiegh v. Sweat (2011) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Parsa v. Caplan, et al. - Legal Malpractice E & O; Lusk v. Baker (2011) - Legal Malpractice E & O; McComas v. Wallace (2011) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Visconti v. Zanger, et al. (2010) - Real Estate Malpractice E & O; M. Fredicic v. International Coffee & Tea (2009) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Continental Ins. Companies v. Total Dollar Management Effort, Ltd. 228 Fed.Appx. 661 (9th Cir. (Cal.) 3/28/2007) - Insurance Agent E & O; Renteria v. Gallo Insurance Agency BC237511 (8/22/2003) - Insurance Agent Malpractice E & O; Beverly Hills Sports Council v. Wright 2002 WL 31320288 (Cal.App. 2 Dist. 10/17/2002) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Avakian v. Ohanessian 2002 WL 31195443 (Cal.App. 2 Dist. 10/03/2002) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Kurinij v. Hanna & Morton BC103239 (6/10/1997) - Legal Malpractice E & O; Anti-SLAPP: Pourteymour v. First Foundation Bank (2023); Ellenhorn v. Pilchman & Kay, PLC (2012); Richard Sylvester v. Robin Sax, et al. (2012); Daniels v. Robbins (2010); Geoffrey Commons v. Inland Desert Security & Communications, Inc. (2011); Lintz v. William F. Dohr (2011); Daniels v. Robbins (2010); WSHB Wins ICRAA Cases, Helping to Shape the Landscape for Landlord and Property Management Liability; 7.30.25; MSJ Granted! WSHB Achieves Swift Resolution in Complex Security Negligence Case; Dismissal Follows Plaintiff Policy Limits Demand; 8.26.24
ISLN:
904688847

Peer Reviews

4.8/5.0 (34 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.8/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.8/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.8/5.0

  • Communication

    4.8/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.9/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Member on 01/10/18 in Professional Liability

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Member on 01/10/18 in Legal Malpractice

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 05/07/15 in Legal Malpractice Defense

    Excellent lawyer. Deserving of highest rating.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 05/05/15 in Professional Liability

    I have known this candidate for 20 years and know her to be an excellent lawyer with high moral standards

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Other Legal Professional on 04/28/15 in Professional Liability Insurance Coverage

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Other Legal Professional on 04/28/15 in Insurance Coverage

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Other Legal Professional on 04/28/15 in Professional Liability

    She is thoroughly experienced in several classes of professional liability insurance defense and coverage. She is a skilled trial attorney.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 04/27/15 in Professional Liability Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 04/27/15 in Professional Errors and Omissions

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 04/25/15 in Professional Liability Defense

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

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Affiliations

CLM

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www.wshblaw.com/attorney/frances-m-omeara

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