Insurance Coverage Analysis Expert Witnesses: 20

Michelle Villarreal, AIC, AINS, is a highly accomplished and respected professional with proven success and experience inInsurance and Reinsurance company auditing, operational development, and claim management.

Ms. Villarreal has been a member of the insurance industry for over 30 years. She is the President and CEO of Occupational Accident Risk, Inc, a Third Party Administrator specializing in Texas work injury programs. They have been in the Third Party Administration industry since 2006, offering services in both workers compensation and Texas Non-Subscription. In 2019, Occupational Accident Risk rebranded themselves concentrating solely on the nuances of Texas Non-Subscription programs.

Litigation Support - Ms. Villarreal is articulate and pragmatic in dealing with all levels of insurance company management. She is an approved continuing education ethics provider for the Texas Department of workers compensation. She is available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant. Services include thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

ERISA Plans Insurance Products Policy Coverage Policy Interpretation ROR Carrier Claims Handling

Bad Faith Specialty Risk Lines Texas Non-Subscription Worker’s Compensation Excess Lines Stowers Demands AIC / AINS/li

Bruce Fredrics, International, TI, BSM.h, GA-BC, RGA (EGA), ICEP, GMGA, MPA, SME, CGA, AIC, PPIA, ACA, CACP, CALAc, CCA, CMI, PCLA, LPCS, CMS, HCI/R-C, FSRT, WINDP, AMRT, CPLA, CPLU, CPAU, UCC, CPCUc, CCPc, ACPc, SPPAc, LS-LC (CFLC)

As a U. S. Registered Federal & State Court Certified Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Insurance Appraisal, Claims Processes, and Industry Standards of Practice and Care, practicing since 1986, he is an Exclusive Expert at the most advanced pinnacle. 

A Loss Consultant, Public and Independent Claims Adjuster, Mr. Fredrics is engaged / retained by consumers, insurance companies, and Governments to handle insurance claims settlements and to resolve disputes. His experience includes educating and teaching State Regulators including Directors of Insurance Commissioner Offices, their Attorneys, Plaintiff and Defense Counsel, other Federal Experts, and Professionals, including Managers, Supervisors, and Professionals.

Mr. Fredrics is the Provost of a global and international College where he teaches his unique expertise that he alone has developed. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors for a global and international trade association which qualifies Experts under U.S. Congressional Rules.

Litigation Support - Mr. Fredrics has been qualified, approved, and confirmed by Federal & State Judges. As an Expert, he has never been impeached, neither under Daubert nor by any Judge. He has conducted Judge and Jury education in live courtroom testimony, and has testified about 30 (thirty) times as an Expert, none of which has ever been invalidated. Mr. Fredrics assists Attorneys in preparing for trial during litigation in both Federal and State Courts, similar to a Litigation Specialist (LS). He has never lost a case.

Areas of Expertise:

Claims Processes Industry Standards of Practice and Care Man-Made Damage Commercial Property Condominium Construction Defects Claims Disputes Equipment / Mechanical Breakdown Business Interruption Residential Dwelling Manufactured Housing Sinkhole Mold Fire Investigation and Adjustment Environmental / Pollution

Property Liability Catastrophe Losses: Hurricanes, Tornadoes,  Total Losses Product Liability General Liability Professional Liability Harassment Casualty Bodily Injury Fatalities Murder / Homicide, Attempted Murder Weapon Assault Auto Liability / Auto Physical Damage Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cargo Workers Compensation Liability

View USAE's Business Consultant Profile.

Paul W. Burkett, JD, CPCU, CIC, ARM,CRM, ALCM is an Insurance and Risk Management specialist. President and CEO of Snoaspen Insurance Group, Inc., Mr. Burkett began his career as a Loss Control Representative for SAFECO Insurance Company after serving as an Officer in the United States Air Force. During his career with SAFECO, he served as a Loss Control Supervisor, Loss Control Manager, Commercial Sales Representative, Division Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager, and Regional Workers Compensation Manager.

From Safeco Insurance Company, Mr. Burkett worked for Frank B. Hall & Company as a Vice President in charge of Risk Management Services. He was responsible for design and implementation of alternative insurance programs such as pools, self-insurance, and captives. From Frank B. Hall, Mr. Burkett assisted in establishing the Meadowbrook of Colorado office and focused on developing specialized group programs. Paul assisted in establishing TUITIONGard which specialized in coverage for private student loans provided through banks in the United States.

Mr. Burkett currently provides litigation support services to attorneys for both Plaintiff and Defense. He has been deposed and/or testified approximately 10 rimes in the last five years.

Areas of Expertise:

• Insurance Company Good and Bad Faith
• Agent / Broker Standard of Care
• Insurance Industry Customs and Practices
• Risk Management
• Business Contract Insurance Clause Analysis and Application
• Insurance Coverage Analysis
• Insurance Claims Disputes Analysis

View Paul Burkett's Consulting Profile.

Joe L. Williams, CPCU, partner in Pozmantier, Williams & Stone Insurance Consultants, LLC, has over 60 years of experience as an Insurance Agent / Broker and Insurance Consultant. From 1970 until 2007, he was a principal shareholder in a large Houston firm, Wisenberg Insurance + Risk Management, and was Chairman and CEO when the firm was sold to a subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank. One of the youngest people ever to receive the CPCU professional designation at the age of 23, Mr. Williams is very familiar with all phases of the insurance industry, including consulting on bad faith, customs and practices, and standards of care. He has particular expertise in property coverage, business interruption, non-subscription, and risk transfer techniques. Litigation Support - Mr. Williams provides expert services to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defense. He offers objective opinions on the following matters:

• Agent / Broker Bad Faith
• Insurance Industry Customs & Practices
• Agent / Broker Standards of Care
• Coverage Terms and Conditions
• Agent / Broker Services
• Insurance Program Design
• Agency / Company Disputes
• Claims Management by Agent
• Insurance Agency Management

View Joe Williams' Consulting Profile.

Key Coleman, CPA, CFA, CPCU, ARe is Executive Director and Founder of Litigation Economic & Forensic Consulting Group LLC. While his firm is located in Greater Philadelphia, his practice is nationwide. Mr. Coleman focuses on damages analysis and expert testimony in a variety of areas including business breakup, post-acquisition purchase price disputes, employment, lost wages and manufacturing. Mr. Coleman also has a specialty in the Insurance and Reinsurance Industry. Mr. Coleman has over 30 years of experience providing business and financial analysis. Prior to starting his own firm, he spent the bulk of his career in Chicago where he was a partner at a Big Four accounting firm and subsequently held high-level positions at other nationally recognized accounting and consulting firms. Prior to his consulting career, he spent more than eight years in the insurance and reinsurance industry.

In addition to his expert work, Mr. Coleman currently teaches Finance and Business full-time at Cabrini University.

Mr. Coleman is often called upon to perform expert analysis relating to Damages in Insurance or Reinsurance Disputes. He is one of the few experts nationwide who holds both the CPA and the CPCU designations. Mr. Coleman performs expert testimony as an insurance economic damages expert witness both locally and nationwide. In addition, he has performed inspections of MGAs, TPAs, ceding companies, and insureds. An abbreviated list of his insurance expert and damages specialties include:

Economic Damages in Commercial Disputes Business Damages Lost Profits / Lost Earnings Business Breakups Post-acquisition purchase price disputes Employment disputes  Lost Wages Analysis Manufacturing Insurance Damages Expert

Damages Analysis in Insurance and Reinsurance Agency, Broker, MGA Disputes Underwriting and Claims Analysis Force Placed Insurance Professional Liability / E&O / D&O Run-off, Insolvency Workers’ Compensation Professional Employment Organizations (PEOs) Accounting, Forenisic Accounting and Investigations

View Key Coleman's Consulting Profile.

Maurice Lieberman, CLU, ChFC, RHU, LUTCF, has over 40 years of experience specializing in Insurance and Financial Planning. Mr. Lieberman holds three professional designations from the American College, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Registered Health Underwriter. He is a Life Insurance Training Council Fellow, and a member of the American College of Financial Services Professionals, Forensic Expert Witness Association, and the American College of Forensic Examiners International.

Background Experience - Mr. Lieberman started as an insurance agent for Metropolitan Life and then advanced in his career to manage brokers. He successfully built agencies for Aetna, and Principal Financial Group. He was later promoted to Regional Director for New England Financial, and CSAA Life. Over the years he mentored hundreds of insurance agents, brokers, financial planners and agency managers to build their own successful careers and agencies. He was also a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and utilized his selling and management experience to train insurance agents, brokers and financial planners in advanced areas of estate, business insurance, and financial planning.

Litigation Support - . Mr. Lieberman has utilized his financial planning and insurance industry knowledge to consult with attorneys for over the past 12 years. He consults with attorneys and assists council in trial preparation regarding issues of life insurance and annuity coverage analysis, coverage disputes, and company practices. He has been called upon to be an expert witness in insurance litigation cases for both plaintiff and defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Life Insurance Coverage Analysis Annuity Coverage Analysis Coverage Disputes Company Practices Life Insurance Products and Services

Contract Analysis Regulations Compliance Best Practice Principles Life Insurance Underwriting Procedures

View Maurice Lieberman's Consulting Profile.

Jim Leatzow has 46 years of "hands-on" practical, property / casualty insurance agency experience. Leatzow has literally worn "every hat there is to wear in the P/C insurance business. He provides expert & arbitration services nationally & internationally with no charge for travel time. He is articulate, efficient & equally comfortable within the U.S. & in foreign venues. His experience includes:

• 46 years national Property/Casualty insurance industry experience
• 30 years national, Property/Casualty insurance Agency Owner
• 23 years national, Property/Casualty Managing General Agent (MGA)
• 20 years national, Third Party Administrator (TPA) insurance claim adjuster
• 26 years Reinsurance experience & Company Founder/President
• 17 years Certified insurance Arbitrator (U.S. / U.K. / Bermuda) 
• 55 years Licensed Pilot with Commercial, Instrument, Multi & Seaplane Ratings 
• Still licensed in Illinois (46 years) & Wisconsin (38 years) 
• Licensed in all states for 20-25 years until 2005 (agency sold)
• Rule 26 Report specialization on complex cases 
• Bad Faith Expert qualified nationally 
• History of representing plaintiff & defense equally
• No charge for travel time "coast to coast"

Leatzow's specialties include: Agent-Broker-MGA standards of care / Bad Faith / Coverage / Agent-Broker E&O Claims / Agent-Broker custom & practice / Professional (E&O) Liability / Claims Adjusting Standard of Care / Claims-made coverage / Surplus Lines issues / Underwriting / Licensing / Property / General Liability /Aviation Insurance

Jeffrey D. Diamond specializes in Insurance Coverage Disputes and Litigation. He has established his law firm as one of the premier Insurance Coverage law firms in the Metro Atlanta area on behalf of policyholders, as well as throughout the State of Georgia and, as he was initially admitted to the State Bar of California in 1978, he serves policyholders in California, as well.

In addition to his full time law practice, Mr. Diamond has served as an Adjunct Professor of Insurance Law since 1995 in both California and Georgia, having joined the Georgia State University College of Law faculty in 2009 as an Adjunct Professor of Insurance Law and, in 2012, he joined Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in a similar capacity. 

Mr. Diamond is also a law instructor for the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA), a national educational organization which conducts continuing education programs for financial professionals across the country, teaching in NACVA’s Expert Witness Bootcamp program. Mr. Diamond has been an invited guest speaker on topics of interest at numerous insurance conferences throughout the country.

Over his 37 year career, Mr. Diamond has successfully represented policyholders, and formerly Insurance companies, in a wide variety of insurance coverage and bad faith actions including:

• Business Insurance Litigation
• Homeowners Insurance Litigation
• Construction Defect Litigation
• General Business Property and Liability Claims
• Long Term Disability Claims
• Life Insurance Claims

Litigation Support - Mr. Diamond's experience as an insurance litigator and insurance law professor allows him a unique perspective as an expert witness. His extensive knowledge of insurance law and keen insights into insurance policy interpretation, as well as the covenant of good faith and fair dealing under each State’s insurance related statutes and case law, make him an exceptional expert witness with regard to coverage and bad faith actions. 

Mr. Diamond's services are available to counsel for both Plaintiff and Defense. He has been retained more than 20 times for his expertise in matters regarding Bad Faith, First and Third Party Insurance Coverage, and Insurance policy Interpretation for the following:

Liability & Property Insurance Fire Insurance Life Insurance Business Insurance

Homeowners Insurance Automobile Insurance Disability Insurance

View Jeffrey Diamond's Consulting Profile.

Mitchell L. Lathrop, has over 50 years of experience in the practice of law, and specialized knowledge in Insurance, Reinsurance, and Lawyers' Professional Responsibility. For the past 30 years, Mr. Lathrop has served as a Mediator, Arbitrator and Expert Witness in his fields of expertise. A seasoned trial lawyer, he brings his many years of practice to alternative dispute resolution. 

Mr. Lathrop is admitted to practice in California, New York and the District of Columbia, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, District of Columbia and Federal Circuits. Mr. Lathrop is a former Presiding Referee of the California State Bar Court. He serves on the National Panel of the American Arbitration Association and is a Distinguished Neutral of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), as well as a member of the London Court of International Arbitration. He is the author of "Insurance Coverage for Environmental Claims," published by Lexis-Nexis Matthew Bender. He has qualified as an expert in insurance and legal malpractice in both state and federal courts. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Insurance bad faith and standard of care and conduct
• Reinsurance Law - Property and Casualty insurance
• Treaty and Facultative Reinsurance
• Environmental Insurance
• Complex insurance coverage Issues
• Lawyers' Professional Responsibility

Mary LaPorte has over 40 years in the Insurance Industry. Her experience extends to the areas of Agency Principal, Personal Lines Management, Claims Management, and E&O Management. She has served on insurance company agency advisory councils and on the Commissioner of Insurance's Licensing advisory council. She has been a self-employed consultant for over 20 years, working with insurance agencies with workflows, standard of care, E&O loss avoidance and education. Ms. LaPorte holds several designations including CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter), CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor), LIC (Licensed Insurance Counselor), and CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Agent). She has received the coveted Aschom Education Award for dedication to education in the insurance industry, and in 2020 was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame. Ms. LaPorte is very familiar with E&O litigation and is a valuable Expert Witness in areas of:

• Insurance Practices & Standards
• Insurance Agency Standards of Care and Operations
• Agent Errors & Omissions - Loss Control, Audits
• Coverage & Claims Analysis and Resolution
• House / Co-op / Condo Insurance

View Consulting Profile.

Janice A. Ramsay founded the law firm of Ramsay and Johnson, ALC in 1984. She merged her practice and that firm with Berger Kahn LLC in 1999. Since the late fall of 2007, she has primarily worked independently as an expert witness and consultant to other attorneys.

During her career, Ms. Ramsay has given advice on coverage questions, underwriting procedures, rescission rights, claims handling, and insurers legal and policy obligations. She is experienced with both commercial and personal lines policies. Ms. Ramsay is familiar with the business of insurance and the legal framework of that business and has performed the procedures that are unique to the claims process such as examinations under oath, and appraisals. She has drafted or revised insurance policies for several insurance companies and has handled coverage litigation.

Litigation Support - Ms. Ramsay has been retained in over 150 matters as an expert work during her law practice beginning as early as 1989. She has testified frequently in both deposition and trial on the standards and practices of the insurance industry. She has testified for insurers, insureds,brokers, and agents.

Types of Losses:

Fire Losses Organized Insurance Fraud Landslides Earthquakes Water Damage / Mold Defective Construction

Latent Defects Riots Acts of Civil Authority Business Interruption Suit Limitation Issues Mortgagee Rights

Speaking Engagements - Ms. Ramsay has frequently been a speaker and/or panelist for the Orange County Bar Association, PLRB Annual Conference, the Combined Claims Conference, and many more. She has also given in-house seminars for several insurers.

Ivan E. Cohen, RF, ARM, CRM, CIC, AIC, AAI, MLIS, CRIS, is a nationally recognized Insurance Industry Expert with over 44 years of years of Insurance and Risk Management experience. 

In 1979, Mr. Cohen opened his own agency where he still serves as president. He is a member of the Global Risk Management Institute, an associate member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, and holds the distinction of being a RIMS Fellow and has been a contributing columnist for Risk Management Magazine. 

Mr. Cohen has also been an Insurance Educator for 41 years. A Senior Andjunct Professor of Insurance, he has taught for the Risk and Insurance Management Society, The National Alliance, Professional Insurance Agents of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York, and provides training and continuing education courses for agencies and companies.

Litigation Support - Mr. Cohen is a trial-experienced Insurance Litigation consultant who provides expert witness services on insurance related matters, He currently serves as a subject matter expert for the New York State Department of Financial Services on the Insurance Exam Review Committee. Mr. Cohen has worked on matters in State, Federal, and Canadian Courts. His services are available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defense. 

A. M. Best Client Recommended Expert Service Provider 2018, 2019, 2020.

Areas of Expertise:

Insurance Errors & Omissions Insurance Standard of Care Insurance Agent / Broker Duties Agent Standard of Care Broker Standard of Care Insurance Policy Interpretation Property Insurance

Liability Insurance Insurance Custom & Practice Auto Insurance Home Insurance Personal Insurance Commercial Insurance Insurance Company Bad Faith

View Ivan Cohen's Consulting Profile.

Scott S. Margraves, CIC, has over 32 years of Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance experience. He is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Gulf Coast Risk Management, LLC (GCRM). GCRM provides research, analysis and advice to commerce, industry, government and individuals. 

GCRM operates COIs R Us, a certificate of insurance (COI) compliance and tracking company. COIs R Us compares the contractual obligations of a lease agreement with the COI. COIs R Us processes thousands of COIs for landlords and general contractors for compliance annually.

Litigation Support - Mr. Margraves has been designated as an expert witness in 19 case assignments: 16 State cases and 3 Federal cases. Case assignments are divided between 10 for Defense and 9 for Plaintiff, including Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas. Services include standard of care review, deposition question preparation, document review, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Property & Casualty Insurance Certificate of Insurance (COI) Tracking and Compliance Insurance Claims Bad Faith Agency Bonds

Cyber Surety Marine Insurance Safety Programs HR Coordination Contract Integration

Background Experience - GCRM provides consulting services to attorneys, property managers, and general contractors regarding insurance placement, interpretation, and recommended contractual insurance requirements while explaining the relationship and alignment with indemnity and insurance provisions.

Mr. Margraves is well-versed in the placement of insurance policies from an insured's perspective. As a front-line producer, he weathered forty three (five major) hurricanes, three “five-hundred-year" floods and multiple catastrophic fire claims. Agency roles include insurance broker, claims supervisor, agency partner, and risk manager. He is Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston, Past Vice chairman of IIAT IMPACT Region 10, Member of Insurance Academy, and Lifetime Committeemen for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Mr. Margraves started his second career as a full-time consultant in 2020. He is an insurance industry expert that brings extensive experience in all aspects of property casualty insurance interpretation, policy forms, claims, safety programs, HR coordination and contract integration.

View GCRM's Consulting Profile.

Frederick J. Fisher, JD, is the President of Fisher Consulting Group, Inc., a Professional Liability firm. Since his career began, Mr. Fisher focused on one vision: providing financial security to the client. The result was a successful 40 year career in Specialty Lines Insurance.

Mr. Fisher provides Expert Witness services and Litigation Strategies to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. He testifies regularly as an expert witness in cases dealing with:

• Insurance Broker Standards of Care
• Real Estate Broker Standards of Care
• Third Party Administrator Standards (TPA)
• Claims Handling and Bad Faith
• Wholesale Broker Policies with "gotchya's"

Background Experience:

• For almost 20 years, Mr. Fisher was the Founder of E.L.M. Insurance Brokers, a Wholesale & MGA facility specializing in Professional Liability and Specialty Line Risks. In 1995, he formed what is now known as ELM insurance Brokers, a firm that has acted as an MGA and Wholesale Broker of Professional Liability Insurance and Specialty Lines. From nothing, the firm grew rapidly to a $30 Million dollar facility when sold in 2008
• Mr. Fisher began his career on the service side, as an Independent E&O claims adjuster. In 1982, he bought the Company. In only 4 years, the annual billings increased by 400%
• In 1989, Mr. Fisher became a Founding Member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), and was elected to the PLUS Board of Trustees in 1993. After serving in all Officer capacities, he was elected President in 1997. He remains a Special Materials Expert for several RPLU courses and is the Senior Technical Advisor for The Professional Liability Manual, first published by the International Risk Management Institute in 1990

For more information on his Litigation Support Services, Email Frederick Fisher at: fjfisher@fishercg.com

View Frederick Fisher's Consulting Profile.

Dave Bano has 40 years of hands-on experience across all aspects of Property Casualty Insurance Operations. He is a cross-functional and seasoned senior executive who has led Sales, Claims and Underwriting operations. Mr. Bano possesses a deep understanding of P & C customs, practices, standards and the duty of care. As a retired Chief Claims Officer, a Business Unit President/COO, as well as a Regional/State Executive at Nationwide, he has very broad multi-discipline knowledge and experience.

Litigation Support - Mr. Bano managed all aspects, and coverage lines, within Nationwide Claims including their bad faith/extra-contractual litigation. He also testifies relative to Sales and Agency operations, as well as Underwriting practices. He is a true general manager and expert across the P&C spectrum. 

Areas of Expertise:

Insurance Customs / Standards / Practices Insurance Claims / Sales / Underwriting / Agency Property / Casualty Operations Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Coverage Insurance Exclusions Insurance Denials Extracontractual Automotive Insurance Errors and Omissions (E&O)

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Uninsured Motorist (UIM) Class Actions Homeowner Insurance Commercial Insurance Catastrophe / Disaster Flood Insurance Excess Surplus Insurance Insurance Fraud Insurance Investigation

Background Experience - Mr. Bano began his career as an adjuster trainee and worked through every operating level within Claims, eventually becoming Nationwide's first company-wide Chief Claims Officer. As a hands-on leader with strong experience in P/C general management (sales, agency operations, underwriting) as well as claims, he offers current expertise across any aspect of Property & Casualty insurance. 

As Chief Claims Officer, he was responsible for 8000 employees, all claims operations, across all lines of coverage. He partnered closely with his legal teams and held decision-making authority over all claims-related litigation, including extracontractual and bad faith situations. He led Automobile, Homeowners, Commercial, Agribusiness, Excess & Surplus [Scottsdale Insurance], Environmental, Pet & Veterinary, as well as the National Catastrophe group and the Special Investigations anti-fraud teams.  

As a general manager, Mr. Bano led the hundreds of agents, underwriters and claims staff within the State of Michigan and earlier, within the five-county Philadelphia, PA market.