James T. Derfler - a San Diego, California (CA) Insurance Coverage Lawyer

San Diego Insurance Coverage Lawyer

Updated: 03/02/2026

Areas of Practice

Insurance Coverage
Insurance Bad Faith

Attorney Information

Overview

Jim Derfler was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and earned his B.S. Degree from Pennsylvania State University in Health Policy & Administration. After graduation, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a staff assistant to several Members of Congress while concomitantly earning an M.S. from George Washington University in Telecommunication Policy. He attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law while working at Farmers Insurance as a claims representative and supervisor. After passing the bar, he went into private practice specializing in insurance defense, insurance coverage, and insurance bad faith. Jim joined Walsh Lea Furcolo LLP in 2006 with a focus in insurance coverage and insurance bad faith. He became a Partner in February 2014. He is admitted to practice before all California courts and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California, and is a member of the State Bar of California and the San Diego County Bar Association.

Education

Legal Education
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California, 1995
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- Pennsylvania State University
  B.S.
  Major: Health Policy & Administration
- George Washington University
  M.S.
  Major: Telecommunication Policy

Current Employment Position(s)

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Partner
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Past Positions

U.S. House of Representatives, Staff Assistant

Bar Admissions

California
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
U.S. District Court Central District of California
U.S. District Court Southern District of California

Other Affiliations

San Diego County Bar Association (Member)
State Bar of California (Member)

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Contact

San Diego, CA

402 West Broadway
Suite 1010
San Diego, CA 92101

Directions

Phone: 619-356-9179

Fax: 619-232-2691

Email: Send a message

Free Consultations

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James T Derfler - San Diego, CA