Jennifer S. Romano
Overview
Jennifer Romano is a litigation partner in Crowell & Moring's Los Angeles office and a member of the firm's Management Board. Jennifer focuses her practice on defending companies against consumer class actions, litigating on behalf of health care companies, and representing companies in high stakes litigation matters. Jennifer has served as lead attorney in defending against two class actions through trial, and she regularly represents clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation. Jennifer’s clients include major health plans, retail and consumer products companies, and professional services firms. Jennifer was named by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of the "Top Women Litigators" in California, and Chambers USA recognizes her as a leading lawyer in health care.
Career & Education
- University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., political science, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif, executive editor of the Berkeley Women’s Law Journal, 1997
- California
Jennifer's Insights
Press Coverage | 09.05.24
9th Circ. Says Court 'Lost The Letter' In ERISA Coverage Row
Firm News | 2 min read | 07.16.24
Firm News | 9 min read | 06.06.24
Firm News | 2 min read | 05.29.24
Seramount Names Crowell One of The Top Five Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity
Representative Matters
Representative Class Action Matters
- Defeated class certification in an action brought under California’s unfair competition law and the Unruh Civil Rights Act on behalf of a class of persons who were denied health insurance coverage for behavioral health treatment. Denial of class certification was affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
- Represented multinational rental car company in defending against several class actions alleging unfair competition, false advertising, statutory violations, and tortious conduct. In a putative class action alleging violation of constitutional rights, Jennifer obtained judgment on behalf of her clients at the pleading stage, which was affirmed on appeal before the Ninth Circuit.
- Represented a major university in class action litigation filed in the wake of a cyber-intrusion into the client's electronic data systems. Cases involved alleged violation of California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act and Security Breach Notification law, and other state law claims.
- Defended an internet company in consumer class actions brought under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and state law. Obtained defense judgment against putative class action claims challenging the client's First Amendment right to determine the content of its search results.
- Represented a consumer products company in multiple class actions challenging the design of its products, materials, and practices. Resolved cases through motion practice, and successfully compelled arbitration based on user agreements.
Representative Health Care Litigation Matters
- Served as lead counsel in a three-week trial of two class actions alleging breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA. Obtained defense judgment as to the class’s prayer for substantial monetary relief. The trial judge’s order awarding injunctive relief to the class was recently overturned on appeal (rehearing petition is pending).
- Defeated class certification in an action against a health plan alleging violation of the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act arising out of coverage for wilderness programs.
- Representing multiple health plans in disputes with out-of-network providers relating to charges in excess of reasonable and customary amounts. Disputes total hundreds of millions of dollars and some include counterclaims for unfair business practices.
- Successfully defended against a plaintiff's ERISA claim for benefits for myoelectric prosthetic devices. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the defendant's health plan by arguing that the California statutory language and legislative history supported the health plan's exclusion. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
Representative Commercial Litigation Matters
- Led the University of California’s challenge to the Department of Homeland Security’s COVID-era directive that would have forced international students to leave the United States if they were enrolled in only online classes due to the pandemic. DHS reversed its directive after the University of California and other universities filed lawsuits against the federal government and motions for injunctive relief across the country.
- Defended against lawsuit brought by homeowners who asserted fraud and negligence in the sale of homes located on the site of a former landfill. Plaintiffs sought $7 million in damages at trial, and a judgment was entered in an amount totaling just $43,223. On appeal, the judgment was overturned and a verdict entered in favor of Jennifer's client.
- Defended an expert consulting company in a contract dispute filed by its former consultant. Successfully challenged the plaintiff's attempt to bypass his obligation to exhaust administrative remedies, and defeated plaintiff's motion for summary judgment.
Jennifer's Insights
Press Coverage | 09.05.24
9th Circ. Says Court 'Lost The Letter' In ERISA Coverage Row
Firm News | 2 min read | 07.16.24
Firm News | 9 min read | 06.06.24
Firm News | 2 min read | 05.29.24
Seramount Names Crowell One of The Top Five Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity
Recognition
- Los Angeles Business Journal: Leaders of Influence, Litigation & Trial, 2024
- Chambers USA: Band 3, Healthcare, California, 2020-2023
- Los Angeles Daily Journal: Top Women Litigators, Healthcare, California, 2020
Jennifer's Insights
Press Coverage | 09.05.24
9th Circ. Says Court 'Lost The Letter' In ERISA Coverage Row
Firm News | 2 min read | 07.16.24
Firm News | 9 min read | 06.06.24
Firm News | 2 min read | 05.29.24
Seramount Names Crowell One of The Top Five Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity
Insights
- |
01.22.20
Crowell & Moring's Litigation Forecast 2020
- |
01.21.16
California Litigation Review
Health Care - Big Changes May Open the Door for Plaintiffs
|01.19.16
Crowell & Moring's Litigation Forecast 2016
Litigation Forecast 2016: What Corporate Counsel Need to Know for the Coming Year
|01.19.16
a Crowell & Moring LLP publication
Regulatory Forecast 2015: What Corporate Counsel Need to Know for the Coming Year
|01.31.15
a Crowell & Moring LLP publication
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03.21.13
Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Litigation Forecast 2013: What Corporate Counsel Need to Know for the Coming Year
|01.31.13
Crowell & Moring LLP publication
Taxes May Not Be a Straight Pass-Through Under Retail Leases
|09.03.10
Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
As Companies' Fears of Data-Breach-Litigation Soar, Legal Terrain Rife With Uncertainty
|01.12.23
Corporate Counsel
Crowell & Moring gains experienced brand protection litigator Jason Stiehl in Chicago
|05.06.22
The Trademark Lawyer
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06.22.21
American Lawyer Litigation Daily
Jennifer's Insights
Press Coverage | 09.05.24
9th Circ. Says Court 'Lost The Letter' In ERISA Coverage Row
Firm News | 2 min read | 07.16.24
Firm News | 9 min read | 06.06.24
Firm News | 2 min read | 05.29.24
Seramount Names Crowell One of The Top Five Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity