USA – FLORIDA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Melissa Sims and Patrick Betar Berk, Merchant & Sims Berk, Merchant & Sims is a boutique insur- ance coverage law firm representing domestic and foreign insurers throughout Florida. The di- versity of the firm’s clients matches that of its attorneys and gives Berk, Merchant & Sims a unique advantage in looking at disputes from a global perspective. The goal is to work with clients to achieve their goals in a practical, ef- ficient manner. Being Florida-based, the team recognises and understands how unique the local insurance market is and assists clients
Alabama
Georgia
Tallahassee
Atlantic Ocean
Florida
Gulf of Mexico
in navigating it. Since 2005, the firm’s lawyers have tried more than 50 first-party property insurance coverage matters and argued more than 50 appeals in Florida’s state and federal courts. They recognise the need for swift and prompt resolution of disputes and work hard to position each file to reach a maximum benefit in the minimum amount of time. The firm offers a breadth of experience in first- and third-party coverage, third-party liability, trial practice, ap- peals, bad faith, and insurance fraud.
Authors
Melissa Sims is the managing partner of Berk, Merchant & Sims and holds a BA from
Patrick Betar is a partner at Berk, Merchant & Sims, who holds a BA degree from Rhodes College and received his Juris Doctor and MA from Syracuse University. Patrick focuses on
Louisiana State University and a JD from St Thomas University. She is admitted to the Louisiana State Bar, the Florida Bar and all federal courts in Louisiana and Florida. Melissa has tried cases throughout Florida ‒ many of which resulted in defence verdicts for clients ‒ and has presented on several insurance related topics. Her areas of practice include commercial insurance coverage and litigation, first- and third-party insurance coverage litigation, insurance bad faith litigation, pre-suit property claims investigation, and construction defect claims.
first-party coverage insurance coverage matters, as well as construction defect claims and premises liability. Further, he has argued appeals before Florida’s appellate courts and Supreme Court, as well as the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Patrick is certified by the State of Florida as an instructor for insurance adjuster training and presents on ethics and the law.
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