Severson and Werson

Jan Chilton is a member of the firm, specializing in litigation with an emphasis on the appellate courts. He has extensive trial experience, both in jury and non-jury trials.

Mr. Chilton represents financial institutions, other businesses, and individuals in appeals and extraordinary writ proceedings in state and federal appellate courts. The appeals and writ proceedings have involved a broad range of issues including antitrust, bankruptcy, civil procedure, contracts, commercial law, construction disputes, insurance coverage, labor law, psychotherapy issues, securities, and wrongful termination of employees.

Mr. Chilton defends financial institutions against class actions and in judicial and administrative proceedings, based on violations of consumer protection and unfair competition statutes. These cases have involved issues under the Sherman and Clayton Acts, the Robinson-Patman Act, California’s Cartwright Act and Unfair Business Practices Act.

Mr. Chilton joined the firm in 1973, and has been a member since 1980. He has worked as a litigation attorney for the National Housing Law Project, and has served as a law clerk to Justice Raymond Sullivan, California Supreme Court. He is a member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

Jan Chilton's practice focusses on complex business litigation in trial and appellate courts, primarily for banks and other financial institutions. He has handled numerous appeals as well as jury and non-jury trials.

Mr. Chilton's specific experience includes the following:

• Appeals: Representation of financial institutions, other businesses and individuals in appeals and extraordinary writ proceedings in state and federal appellate courts. The appeals and writ proceedings have involved a broad range of issues including antitrust, bankruptcy, civil procedure, contracts, commercial law, construction disputes, insurance coverage, labor law, psychotherapy issues, securities, and wrongful termination of employees and dealers. Representation of trade associations as amicus curiae on various appeals raising issues of general concern to various industries.

• Class Actions: Defense of financial institutions against class actions, based on violations of consumer protection and unfair competition statutes.

• Antitrust and Unfair Competition: Defense of business entities in judicial and administrative proceedings involving antitrust and unfair competition claims under federal and state laws. The cases have involved issues under the Sherman and Clayton Acts, the Robinson-Patman Act, California’s Cartwright Act and Unfair Business Practices Act.
• Insurance Claims: Prosecution and defense of coverage claims under bankers’ blanket bonds, comprehensive general liability policies, directors’ and officers’ liability policies, and trust department errors and omissions policies.
• Lender Liability Suits: Defense in trial and on appeal of bad faith, fraud and related claims by borrowers.
• Operations Problems: Defense of banks against claims involving check kites, midnight deadline problems, failures to supervise corporate accounts, and related problems.
• Wrongful Termination Suits: Defense of businesses in the trial court and on appeal from claims for wrongful termination of employees or dealers.

Biographical Information:

Employment History: Member, Severson & Werson since 1980; joined the firm in 1973. National Housing Law Project, Litigation Attorney, 1971-73. Law clerk to Justice Raymond Sullivan, California Supreme Court, 1970-71.

Education: University of California, Berkeley (A.B., 1967); University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1970); Order of the Coif.

Admitted to Practice: California, 1971; Federal District Courts: all California districts, 1971, District of New Mexico, 1976; Federal Courts of Appeals: Ninth Circuit, 1971, Tenth Circuit, 1978; United States Supreme Court, 1980.

Professional Affiliations: California State Bar, Litigation and Business Law Sections; California Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

Professional Activities: Lecturer on general civil practice, appellate practice, and Articles 3 and 4 of the Uniform Commercial Code for the Continuing Education of the Bar, The Rutter Group, Practicing Law Institute, and the California Bankers’ Association.

• Jan Chilton elected to become a member of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
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