Curt Cutting

Curt Cutting helps businesses defend against high-stakes litigation, especially in cases where plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages.

His work in punitive damages cases, both at the trial court level and on appeal, has resulted in the reduction or outright reversal of a number of multi-million dollar punitive damages awards.

At the trial court level, Curt assists clients with strategic consulting, preparation of critical motions, and preserving dispositive issues for appeal. On appeal, Curt serves as lead counsel in cases involving a wide range of subject areas, including products liability, mass torts, business disputes, and insurance law. He has presented dozens of oral arguments, including appearances before the California Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Guam.

Curt, along with other attorneys at Horvitz & Levy, serves as West Coast appellate counsel for a Fortune 100 company in asbestos litigation, assisting at the trial court level and representing the company as lead counsel on appeal.

He is the primary contributor to the firm’s blog on punitive damages. He has provided commentary on punitive damages litigation and appellate practice for various media outlets, including Bloomberg Law, The National Law Journal, The Seattle Times, The Associated Press, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Daily Journal, The Recorder, BNA’s Class Action Litigation Reporter, and Business Insurance.

Curt is an adjunct professor at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, where he teaches the Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic along with fellow H&L attorney Rebecca Powell. The Clinic handles cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, representing individuals in matters that the court identifies as warranting appointment of pro bono counsel.