Amber S. Finch

Amber Finch is the chair of the firm’s Insurance Recovery Group and former Managing Partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. Since joining the firm in 2011, Amber has quickly become a go-to lawyer for creating effective risk management solutions. With her litigation background, she has helped her commercial policyholder clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance proceeds. Amber represents a litany of clients from start-up businesses to middle market and Fortune 500. She helps companies manage risk by negotiating broader insurance coverage on the front end, negotiating insurance and indemnity provisions in deal contracts, assisting with tender and collection on insurance and indemnity claims, and litigating insurance and indemnity disputes. Amber has significant experience in standard first party and third party insurance policies, as well as specialty policies, emerging industries and disruptive technologies. Most recently, Amber represents various companies in connection with business income interruption and property damage losses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and aviation businesses in connection with losses arising out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Amber’s environmental experience includes the representation of land owners, tenants, and other operators of property on a variety of hazardous waste, water, air, and other environmental impact issues. Amber defends her clients in private cost recovery actions brought under CERCLA and RCRA. She also represents her clients in negotiating and complying with government consent decrees, Superfund litigation, and enforcement actions. Amber was lead counsel for a Fortune 500 company and its manufacturing subsidiary in a private cost recovery/CERCLA action involving underground storage tanks, soil and groundwater contamination at a long-term leased property. Amber’s representation was crucial in the identification of other potential responsible parties, and ultimately led to the reduction of exposure to liability for her client. Not only did Amber’s aggressive representation lead to a great settlement for the client, but with Amber’s insurance background, she was able to obtain insurance coverage for 98% of the settlement amount for her client.

For her pro bono work, Amber successfully petitioned the Ninth Circuit to vacate her legal permanent resident client's immigration removal order. In its published opinion, the Ninth Circuit granted the petition in its entirety and vacated the detention order. Amber also volunteers at the Central District of California's Federal Pro Se Clinic. In addition to her work at Reed Smith, Amber is a past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to the advancement and development of women of color in the legal profession. She is currently a board member of the University of Southern California Gould School of Law’s Board of Councilors. Amber previously served as a board member of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

During her professional career, Amber also served as an adjunct professor of Legal Writing, Research, and Advocacy for the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. In 2000, she was a judicial extern for the Hon. Barry T. Moskowitz, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of California.

Experience

Representative matters

Successfully represented financial institutions in multi-million dollar mortgage insurance claims.

Successfully represented various manufacturing companies in connection with environmental insurance coverage.

Successfully represents various businesses seeking coverage for catastrophic injury claims.

Successfully represented financial institutions in multi-million dollar mortgage insurance claims.

Successfully represented various manufacturing companies in connection with environmental insurance coverage.

Successfully represents various businesses seeking coverage for catastrophic injury claims.

Successfully represented real estate development company in theft insurance claims.

Successfully represented a manufacturing company in multi-million dollar business interruption claim.

Represents a French subsidiary and American manufacturing company in a multi-million dollar property damage and business interruption litigation involving catastrophic fire.

Represents various businesses in connection with multi-million dollar business interruption and property damage losses in connection with COVID-19 pandemic.

Represents Las Vegas luxury resort and casino in an insurance litigation pending in Nevada state court against its carriers arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This highly significant matter involves important, novel issues regarding Nevada’s interpretation of “all risk” policies. The rulings in this case will help shape the law going forward, especially in Nevada, for COVID-19 business interruption claims.

Represents businesses in connection with third party liability claims arising out of California wildfires.

Represents businesses in connection with multi-million dollar insurance coverage claims arising out of the opioid investigations/litigations.

Represents businesses in connection with multi-million dollar insurance coverage claims arising out of EtO litigations.

Successfully represented several manufacturers in various coverage disputes involving third-party liability environmental claims.

Successfully represented healthcare company in directors and officers liability insurance claim stemming from derivative suit.

Successfully represented an acclaimed television production company in multiple claims and litigation under various media special perils policies.

Successfully represented one of the world's largest talent agencies in a coverage dispute litigation over defense costs for class action suit.

Successfully represented professional athletes, executive key persons, and stakeholders in life and disability insurance disputes.

Assisted in representation of several oil companies in Superfund site re allegations of arranger liability and investigation/allocation ordered by U.S. EPA for soil and groundwater contamination, including preparation of 104(e) responses.

Represented Fortune 500 manufacturing company in defense of private CERCLA action brought by landowner involving allegations of soil and groundwater contamination (chlorinated solvents, PCE, TCE, and heavy metals), as well as leaking underground storage tanks. Claims included CERCLA, RCRA, California HSAA, negligence, nuisance, trespass, breach of contract (lease agreements). Obtained favorable settlement for company and obtained insurance coverage to fund the vast majority of the settlement amount.

Assisted in representation of major advanced materials manufacturer in Superfund site feasibility study/remediation and clean up proceedings before U.S. EPA.

Represented major advanced materials manufacturer in defense of private CERCLA action brought by landowner involving allegations of down-gradient groundwater contamination. Claims included CERCLA, negligence, nuisance and trespass. Obtained stay of action.

Represented major foods company in threatened Clean Water Act litigation in Pacific Northwest brought by environmental group. Successfully thwarted the filing of any lawsuit.

Represented and advised major foods company in stormwater and wastewater discharge permit compliance in Pacific Northwest.

Represented and advised major foods company in multiple major building expansions involving CEQA processes before California city, including renovations/expansions to upgrade wastewater discharge process. Certain representations involved multiple successful mandamus proceedings against city.

Represented and advised solar development company in a commercial real estate dispute involving resident protestors’ attempts to thwart a solar energy development project in Imperial County under CEQA. Through advice on negotiation strategies, the project was financed and development commenced.

Represented major foods company in Clean Air Act litigation brought by environmental group.

Represented hazardous waste transporter company and employees in criminal environmental prosecution for permit violations, and violations for spills under California Health and Safety Code. Obtained favorable settlement for clients at arraignment, including complete dismissals for employees, dismissals of certain counts for company and expunged offense for company.

Represented major fast food restaurant chain in criminal environmental prosecution for nuisance, trespass, and local environmental ordinances involving abandoned restaurant. Obtained favorable settlement for chain at arraignment.

Represented various manufacturers, dry cleaners, chemical companies, and other businesses in various insurance coverage disputes involving environmental releases, and groundwater/soil contamination. Successful representation led to recovery in each instance.

Recognitions

Named Business of Law Visionary by Los Angeles Times, 2025
Ranked in Chambers USA for California Insurance: Policyholder, 2024-2025
Selected by the Los Angeles Business Journal for Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s (2023)

Credentials

Education

Stanford University, 1999, B.A., Political Science Major with History Minor, Dean's List
University of Southern California Law School, 2002, J.D., Semi-Finalist and Board Member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program

Professional admissions & qualifications

California

Court admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court - Central District of California
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
U.S. District Court - Southern District of California

Professional affiliations

Board Member, Crystal Stairs, Inc.
Board Member, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Board of Councilors
Past President, Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, 2016-2017
Former Board Member, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Member, Women in Insurance, American Bar Association
Los Angeles County Bar Association

Practices

Insurance Recovery

Emerging Technologies

Environmental, Social & Governance

Industries

Environmental Health & Safety

Projects & Construction