Philip J. Berens

Member

Phil Berens is responsible for managing a subrogation litigation caseload in various legal areas, including product liability, negligence, construction defect, municipal liability, and breach of warranties.  

Phil has successfully litigated a wide range of cases on behalf of insurance companies and corporations in both state and federal courts, including intensive product defect lawsuits against many of the largest consumer and commercial product manufacturers, as well as lawsuits against construction entities of all sizes for catastrophic construction losses. His experience also includes the pursuit and recovery from international entities responsible for fires, floods, cargo, and other losses in the United States.   

Phil’s extensive litigation experience includes trying several cases to verdict and recovering millions of dollars for his clients through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Phil has authored many articles and presented on various subrogation-related topics. Phil is a NITA certified trial advocate that earned his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law. While at Michigan State, he was a member of the Moot Court and the Trial Advocacy Board and earned a certificate in trial practice from the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute.

News

Super Lawyers Names Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys 2021 Southern California Rising Stars

June 11, 2021

Super Lawyers named three Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 Southern California Rising Stars list.

Super Lawyers Names Four Cozen O’Connor Attorneys 2020 Southern California Rising Stars

June 19, 2020

Super Lawyers has named four Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list.

Cozen O'Connor Promotes 27 to Membership

May 01, 2019

Cozen O'Connor is pleased to recognize 27 attorneys with the promotion to member: Dylan Alper, Philip J. Berens, Alison Weintraub Berson, Evan Berquist, Alexandra Campau, Alissa K. Christopher, Matthew D. Clyde, Rachel Collins Clarke, Michael A. Corgan, Matthew L. Elkin, Nicole M. Ellis, Alex H. Hayden, David S. Huard, Haryle Kaldis, David Kirchblum, Matthew Evan Lewitz, Jesse Ryan Loffler, Samantha L. Mazo, Lindsey A. Miller, Jeffrey M. Monhait, Jonathan Nase, Jacqueline Promislo, Shelby K. Riney, Kelly Shinn, Terri A. Sutton, Daniel P. Thiel, and Laura Zulick.

Cozen O’Connor Continues Growth of International Subrogation and Recovery Department

November 25, 2013

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its internationally recognized Subrogation & Recovery Department with the recent addition of four attorneys. Lawyers who have joined the firm’s Subrogation & Recovery Department in 2013 include Virginia Markovich, member in the New York office; Philip J. Berens, an associate in Los Angeles; Richard J. Maleski, an associate in the Miami office; and Marie-Pier Nadeau, an associate in the Toronto office.

Publications

The Value of a Cause & Origin Expert for a Water Loss [Subrogation & Recovery Law Blog]

September 14, 2023

Seems unnecessary to retain a cause and origin expert to investigate a water loss. Both the insured and field adjuster have identified the “cause” and “origin” simply by observing water leaking from the water supply line. Should the adjuster then simply collect the subject water supply line and...

Time is Money: Understanding Statutes of Limitations and Statutes of Repose [Subrogation & Recovery Law Blog]

August 16, 2022

Time is money in the subrogation industry.  And knowing the timeframes of when you can pursue recovery claims is an important first step in evaluating your case, including determining the scope of your early investigation.  Whether you can or cannot bring a claim due to a pre-determined timeframe...

The Owner Controlled Insurance Program Blues [Subrogation & Recovery Law Blog]

July 13, 2021

Picture this scenario: you have a massive water loss at a commercial construction project. You send your forensic plumbing consultant to the scene. Your consultant determines that the plumbing subcontractor forgot to apply adhesive to the pipes that served the fire suppression system. One of the...

Update on California Fires [Alert]

November 12, 2018

Howard Maycon, Kevin Bush, David Brisco, Phil Berens, Tom Regan and Peter Lynch provide an update on the Woolsey, Hill, and Camp fires in California.

Subrogation Against Parents for Actions of Their Children [Subrogation Alert]

May 18, 2017

Can parents be held responsible for property damage caused by their children? Almost every state in the country has adopted some form of a parental liability statute, which forms the legal basis for holding parents vicariously liable for the acts of their children.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Subrogation on the Roof

August 22, 2024 - Webinar

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Michigan State University College of Law, J.D., 2011
  • Michigan State University, B.A., 2008

Awards & Honors

Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Star 2021

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Michigan
  • U.S. District Court -- Arizona
  • U.S. District Court -- Central District of California