Dale A. Amato, a partner in the Berger Kahn San Diego office, practices in the areas of insurance coverage, construction defect, first-party claims investigation, general liability defense, criminal defense appeals and public entity liability. Dale is recognized to the list of 2014-present Southern California Super Lawyers, an honor reserved for the top 5% of the Bar.
Representing major insurance companies, Dale has handled a significant amount of insurance bad faith defense cases as well as assisting insurance carriers during claim investigations by providing legal coverage opinions and conducting examinations under oath in the area of suspect claims. Dale has also represented developers, subcontractors and soils engineers in construction defect litigation. In addition to having jury trial and arbitration experience, Dale has prepared briefing for the California Supreme Court and have argued before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal and the California Court of Appeal.
Dale enjoys bicycling, skiing and music. He is married with two children and lives in Jamul, California.
Education
University of San Diego School of Law (JD, 1988)
Admitted to Practice
California
U.S. District Court, Central, Southern and Eastern Districts of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships
American Bar Association
San Diego County Bar Association
San Diego Defense Lawyers
Distinctions
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated – Martindale Hubbell
Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyers – Insurance, 2016
2020 Southern California Super Lawyers
2019 Southern California Super Lawyers
2018 Southern California Super Lawyers
2017 Southern California Super Lawyers
2016 Southern California Super Lawyers
2015 Southern California Super Lawyers
2014 Southern California Super Lawyers
2018 Top Lawyers in San Diego
2015 Top Lawyers in San Diego
2014 Top Lawyers in San Diego
2013 Top Lawyers in San Diego
Activities
Director, San Diego Rural Fire Protection District
Recent Media Coverage
$1M Recovery of Insurance Benefits Thwarted in Defense Verdict for Sherman Spitz and Dale Amato of Berger Kahn
Berger Kahn – January 11, 2021
Partner Dale Amato Recognized to List of Super Lawyers San Diego 2020
Super Lawyers – May 25, 2020
Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to “Top 100” “Orange County Top 50” and “Up-and-Coming” Lists of Southern California and San Diego Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers – August 2, 2019
Partner Dale Amato Recognized to List of Super Lawyers San Diego 2019
Super Lawyers – March 22, 2019
Partners Dale Amato and Roberta Winston Featured in San Diego Magazine
San Diego Magazine – July 7, 2018
Attorney Journal Features Steven Gentry and Dale Amato for their Recognition to the 2017 List of Southern California Super Lawyers
Attorney Journal – February 20, 2017
Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 20, 2017
The National Law Journal Features Berger Kahn Attorneys in List of “Top Rated Lawyers”
National Law Journal – September 1, 2016
Wall Street Journal Features Berger Kahn as a 2016 “Top Ranked Law Firm”
Wall Street Journal – January 29, 2016
Eight Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 20, 2016
San Diego Principals Roberta Winston and Dale Amato Featured in Attorney Journal as “Top Rated Attorneys”
San Diego Attorney Journal – December 17, 2015
Los Angeles Times Features Berger Kahn Attorneys in List of “Top Rated Attorneys”
Los Angeles Times – December 1, 2015
Nine Berger Kahn Partners Featured in Super Lawyers Business Edition
Super Lawyers – November 23, 2015
Los Angeles Times Features Berger Kahn Attorneys in List of “Top Rated Attorneys”
Los Angeles Times – October 14, 2015
Attorney Journal Features San Diego Principals Roberta Taylor Winston and Dale Amato for Inclusion to List of “Top Rated Lawyers”
San Diego Attorney Journal – May 3, 2015
San Diego Magazine Recognizes Berger Kahn Attorneys to List of 2015 Southern California’s “Top Rated Lawyers”
San Diego Magazine – March 30, 2015
Nine Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 21, 2015
Los Angeles Times Recognizes Berger Kahn Attorneys to List of Southern California’s “Top Rated Lawyers”
Los Angeles Times – September 1, 2014
National Law Journal Identifies Berger Kahn Attorneys to List of Southern California’s “Top Rated Lawyers – Insurance Law”
National Law Journal – September 1, 2014
Eight Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Southern California Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 17, 2014
Where’s Amato: Berger Kahn Partner Highlighted for Unique Travel
San Diego Lawyer Magazine- January 8, 2014
Los Angeles Times Recognizes Berger Kahn Attorneys to List of Southern California’s “Top Rated Lawyers”
Los Angeles Times- October 2, 2013
Representative Matters
$1M Recovery of Insurance Benefits Thwarted in Defense Verdict for Sherman Spitz and Dale Amato of Berger Kahn
Lead trial attorney Sherman Spitz and Dale Amato obtained a defense verdict in a federal court lawsuit seeking $1M in insurance policy benefits. Following a suspicious business fire, the insured’s claim for $1 Million in policy benefits was denied principally because the insured lied about matters pertaining to the security system in place at the business premises including security cameras, monitors, a missing DVR and the fire alarm system. After a three-day trial, the court agreed and determined that the insured violated the concealment/fraud provisions of the insurance policy by making multiple intentional material misrepresentations of material fact to the insurance carrier during its investigation of the fire loss, thereby vitiating coverage. Spitz and Amato successfully repelled a motion to introduce post-trial evidence and a motion for new trial. An appeal has been filed. The trial was presided over by Judge George Wu in the US District Court Central District.