Julie Hansen-Arenas
Ms. Hansen-Arenas concentrates her practice on the defense of medical malpractice and professional liability actions, and is admitted to practice in all California state and federal courts. Ms. Hansen-Arenas has extensive experience in the development and execution of successful defense strategies throughout all stages of litigation. Since joining the firm in 2004, Ms. Hansen-Arenas has successfully defended many physicians, physician groups, hospitals and other health care professionals in complex civil litigation and administrative matters. Ms. Hansen-Arenas regularly provides counsel to health care providers and entities regarding litigation strategy and effective techniques for risk and conflict management.
- HASSARD BONNINGTON LLP, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 2012-Present
Associate, 2004-2012 - THARPE AND HOWELL, San Jose, CA
Associate, 2003-2004 - LAW OFFICE OF PHILIP SCOTT RYAN, San Francisco, CA
Associate, 2003
- October 2019, Misappropriated Sperm, Defense Judgment. Defense judgment entered on behalf of fertility clinic and reproductive endocrinologist arising from allegations of negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and receipt of stolen property. Plaintiff, the widow of a clinic patient, alleged her deceased husband’s sperm was used to impregnant another woman without her consent. The male and female patients of the fertility clinic had presented to the clinic as a couple, in a long-term relationship, seeking to have another child (they had an older son together). The couple described themselves as husband and wife, and never disclosed that the male partner was married to another woman. After six failed attempts at assisted reproduction using their own genetic material, the couple agreed to try conception using donor eggs and the male partner’s sperm. Both the male and female partner were involved in selecting the donor and both consented to proceed with the transfer of fertilized embryos into the female partner’s uterus. Prior to the transfer, however, the male partner died while undergoing cancer treatment. The female partner did not notify the clinic of his death and proceeded with the transfer, which resulted in a successful pregnancy and the birth of twins. During her pregnancy, the female partner brought a child support claim against the male partner’s estate, seeking support for her older son and her expectant twins. The clinic learned of both the male partner’s death and the existence of a widow (who was not the female patient with whom the male partner presented to the clinic) when a subpoena was issued for clinic records in the support matter. The plaintiff widow subsequently sued the clinic and the couple’s reproductive endocrinologist, alleging she was the rightful owner of her husband’s sperm upon his death, and any use of his sperm without her consent was improper, amounting to negligence, a breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and receipt of stolen property.After extensive discovery and the resolution of multiple family law matters related to decedent’s child support obligations (to both the female partner and another woman), a four-week trial commenced. Shortly before the close of evidence, plaintiff dismissed her negligence claim. Defendants’ non-suit motion was granted as to the breach of fiduciary duty claim. A jury verdict was returned in favor of defendants regarding the receipt of stolen property claim, and in favor of plaintiff on the conversion claim. However, shortly after the jury verdict, the court granted defendants’ motion for judgment notwithstanding verdict, finding the conversion claim was unsupported by the evidence and should not have gone to the jury.
- November 2013, NICU Management of Severely Premature Infant, Defense Verdict. Defense verdict on behalf of hospital and nursing defendants involving allegations of medical negligence in the management of a neonatal intensive care unit patient. The plaintiff, born at approximately 28 weeks gestation, was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of extreme prematurity and the development of necrotizing enterocolitis. Plaintiff’s parents alleged their daughter received a substantial overdose of pain medication (fentanyl), which they believed caused severe hypoxic ischemic brain injury. The allegation of overdose was largely based upon the infant’s breathing difficulty 15 minutes after the fentanyl was administered and the administration of an opiate reversal agent (Narcan) in response to her respiratory depression. The parents further alleged negligence in the management of the infant’s airway as her condition declined. In an effort to avoid the inherent risks of trial, extensive efforts were made by the Hospital and a co-defendant to resolve the case prior to trial, but no resolution was reached. Following a four-week trial with testimony from the parents, the involved health care providers, and retained medical experts, the jury decided in favor of the hospital and the co-defendants.
EH v. UC Regents - Gender Affirming Care to Minor: Plaintiff, father of the youth, sued alleging the child was provided with a hormonal implant without his consent. Through two motions to dismiss in federal court, all of plaintiff's claims were eliminated. The appeal is pending. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case and coordinating strategy with co-defendants -2024.
QB v. SBH - Birth Injury with Brain Injuries Case: Patient, a twin, alleged significant birth injuries due to a prolapsed umbilical cord. Strategic low value settlement was achieved at mediation. Co-defendant proceeded to trial with large 8-figure verdict. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case and coordinating strategy with co-defendants through resolution -2024.
JD v. MESR - Alleged Sexual Assault at Massage Therapy Franchise: Patient alleged she was assaulted at a massage clinic. Discovery revealed no therapist matched the description of the alleged assailant and the case was dismissed for a nominal amount - Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution - 2024.
MP v. SH - Alleged Failure to Diagnose Bladder Cancer: Plaintiff alleged defendants failed to properly diagnose a kidney cyst as renal cell carcinoma. With a motion for summary judgment pending, plaintiffs agreed to dismiss SH for a waiver of costs at mediation. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal - 2023.
XC v. The Regents - Alleged Breach of Contract and Conversion of IVF Embryos: Plaintiff alleged The Regents wrongfully retained her embryos and refused to transfer them to another facility. Plaintiff's case was dismissed on demurrer. Following a successful appeal, plaintiff's case was again dismissed following a motion for terminating sanctions. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal - 2023.
MM v. The Regents – Premises Liability/Design Defect: Patient alleged she slipped and fell while a patient on the maternity ward due to a defective design. Complex motion for summary judgment granted based on governmental immunities – 2021
PL v. The Regents – Alleged Delay in Transfer of Stroke Patient: Patient was taken to a local hospital for signs of a stroke. The case was filed in federal court including allegations of violation of EMTALA, medical malpractice, NIED, dependent adult abuse, wrongful death and intentional misconduct. Contested motion to dismiss was granted in its entirety, ending the case. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal – 2021.
KRB v. SHC – Wrongful Life/Wrongful Birth Case: Plaintiffs alleged negligent genetic counseling failed to identify that plaintiff child’s parents were both sickle cell anemia carriers. Plaintiff child was born with sickle cell anemia. Discovery revealed plaintiff mother’s knowledge of her status as a carrier of sickle cell anemia. Thereafter, the case resolved for nuisance value. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2020.
AS v. SH - Wrongful Life/Wrongful Birth Case: Plaintiff alleged defendant lab failed to identify the genetic marker for cystic fibrosis during prenatal testing, resulting in the birth of a child with severe cystic fibrosis. Plaintiff required very costly medication for life, had significant care needs and a relatively long life expectancy given advances in treatment for cystic fibrosis. Initial demand for $50 million. Experts were disclosed, key depositions taken and case was resolved for an amount in the low seven figures, a significant victory for the defense. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2020.
CM v. SH - Wrongful Death – Failure to Diagnose Malaria: Plaintiff alleged defendant hospital and physician failed to diagnose malaria, leading to his discharge from the emergency department and death. Plaintiff sought and obtained a significant settlement from the treating emergency physician and proceeded with the case against the hospital. Days before trial, the case settled for nuisance value. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2019.
GS v. SH - Severely Brain-Injured Child: Plaintiff mom and plaintiff child alleged medical negligence related to care and treatment plaintiff child received in the NICU. Plaintiff child had a PICC line placed for nutrition and medication administration. The PICC line migrated and caused a pericardial effusion. Plaintiff child’s heart stopped and he underwent a prolonged resuscitation until the pericardial effusion was identified and tapped. Plaintiff mom was brought up to the NICU while the code was in process and brought an NIED claim. The NIED claim was eliminated with a motion for summary adjudication. The plaintiff child had profound neurological injuries but also a significantly long life expectancy. A favorable settlement was reached following development of causation arguments related to placental pathology. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2019.
EG v. The Regents: Plaintiff alleged negligent attempted placement of an epidural catheter prior to hernia surgery, leading to an epidural hematoma and lower extremity paralysis. Plaintiff was a high wage earner with no ability to work and a significant remaining work-life expectancy. Prior to trial, the case was presented to two mock juries, with opening statements, a few witness presentations and closing arguments presented to the mock juries. Expert depositions were underway when plaintiff passed away from unrelated causes. Co-lead attorney handling causation and damages experts – 2018.
- University of San Francisco School of Law, J.D.
- University of California Santa Barbara, B.A.
Hassard Bonnington LLP
111 Pine Street, Suite 1530
San Francisco CA 94111
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