Lawyers' Mutual Ins. Co. v. Law Offices of Diana Courteau CA2/5

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendants, Law Offices of Diana Courteau doing business as Courteau & Associates, and Diana L. Courteau, appeal from a June 18, 2013 judgment. The judgment was entered after the trial court granted the petition to confirm an arbitration award filed by plaintiff, Lawyers’ Mutual Insurance Company. The trial court also denied defendants’ petition to vacate the award. Defendants argue the arbitration award should be vacated pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure1 sections 1281.9, subdivision (a) and 1286.2, subdivision (a)(6). Defendants assert the neutral arbitrator failed to disclose a relationship with plaintiff’s retired general counsel. They were members of 13 specialty panels of Alternative Resolution Centers, the alternative dispute resolution provider. Defendants also contend the arbitration award should be vacated pursuant to section 1286.2, subdivision (a)(5). Defendants argue their rights were substantially prejudiced by the refusal to continue the arbitration hearing. We affirm the judgment.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Dispute Between The Parties

The following recitation of background matters are drawn from the petition and arbitration award. On June 1, 2010,…