Insurance
Our Insurance Law practice area is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services to insurance companies, and other stakeholders in the insurance industry. We offer strategic guidance and representation across a wide range of insurance-related matters, ensuring that our clients’ interests are protected and their objectives are achieved.
- Coverage Disputes:
- Policy Interpretation: Advising clients on the interpretation and application of insurance policies, ensuring clarity and alignment with coverage expectations.
- Bad Faith Claims: Defending insurance companies against allegations of bad faith practices in handling claims, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
- Insurance Defense Litigation:
- Defense of Claims: Providing vigorous defense representation to insurance companies in litigation involving liability claims, personal injury, property damage, and more.
- Subrogation and Recovery: Pursuing subrogation claims on behalf of insurers to recover payments made to policyholders or third parties for covered losses.
- Regulatory Compliance and Counseling:
- Regulatory Compliance: Assisting insurance companies in navigating regulatory requirements imposed by state and federal agencies, ensuring compliance with insurance laws and regulations.
- Insurance Transactions: Advising on insurance policy drafting, endorsements, and amendments to align with regulatory changes and client needs.
- Insurance Coverage Litigation:
- Environmental and Toxic Tort Claims: Defending insurers in complex litigation involving environmental contamination and toxic tort claims, ensuring comprehensive risk management.
- Professional Liability: Handling claims against professionals, including lawyers, doctors, architects, and engineers, addressing allegations of professional negligence or misconduct.
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Insurance Team
Peter Agola is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Peter is a 2023 graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, and a member of the Florida Bar. Prior to joining Lydecker, Peter spent time as a law clerk at a boutique complex commercial litigation firm, and an insurance defense firm, both located in Miami.
Susan Ayers is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. She brings nearly 25 years of civil litigation experience representing clients in construction defect, insurance defense, first party property and hurricane claims, professional liability, personal injury, real estate, environmental matters, and appellate proceedings.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Ayers managed a high volume caseload involving complex insurance defense matters. She previously founded Ayers Law Firm, PLLC, where her practice encompassed civil litigation, real estate, bankruptcy, franchise, and family law matters. She also served as in house counsel to a California real estate development group, representing developers, community associations, and commercial property owners.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Ayers served as a Senior Attorney for the State of Florida, where she developed extensive motion practice and trial experience. During law school, she externed for the Honorable Robert W. Alberts of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California and worked in the tax legal division of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Ayers is a licensed Florida real estate broker.
Jamie Baboolal is a Senior Associate with the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Baboolal’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil litigation with a focus on products, premises, and general liability. Ms. Baboolal’s experience includes representing premises owners and operators, local and global manufacturers, major national retailers in numerous areas within the wider tort-based field, such as catastrophic injury, premises liability claims, recalled product claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials. Her experience includes high exposure injury, wrongful death, and commercial matters.
Ms. Baboolal graduated summa cum laude from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law. During law school, Ms. Baboolal received Dean’s List Honors and multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards. She was an active member of the Nova Moot Court Society and served as an Articles Editor on the Nova Law Review. Ms. Baboolal also held positions as teaching assistant for Constitutional Law and research assistant for Health Law.
While attending law school, Ms. Baboolal worked as a law clerk at a boutique firm where she gained practical experience handling wills, estates, family law, and real estate transactions. Ms. Baboolal also worked as a legal intern at a securities litigation firm where she gained valuable experience in securities class actions.
Justin M. Bettis is Of Counsel Lydecker’s Jersey City, New Jersey office. He is an experienced litigator who represents clients in a wide range of complex civil matters, with a particular focus on personal injury and premises liability claims.
Mr. Bettis has substantial experience managing complex cases and handling matters through all phases of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, and appeals. He has appeared before state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and is recognized for his effective oral advocacy and strategic, results-driven approach to litigation. His experience includes obtaining favorable outcomes through dispositive motion practice, arbitration, mediation, and negotiated settlements.
Prior to joining Lydecker LLP, Mr. Bettis served as a trial attorney at prominent regional and national law firms, where he represented both individuals and corporate clients in high-exposure matters. He has successfully negotiated significant settlements, identified and mitigated fraudulent claims, and advised clients on risk management and regulatory compliance. Earlier in his career, he founded and operated a solo practice, providing him with a comprehensive perspective on client advocacy, case management, and business considerations in litigation.
Mr. Bettis earned his Juris Doctor from Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law and his undergraduate degree from La Salle University. He is admitted to practice in the States of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as the United States District Courts for the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
He has been recognized by the National Black Lawyers Association as a “Top 40 Under 40” attorney. Mr. Bettis is an active member of several bar associations, including the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York.
Hagen Brody is a Partner in Lydecker’s Tampa office and the former Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Hagen was a felony prosecutor for Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. As an experienced trial attorney, he now focuses on representing clients in civil and commercial disputes across Florida.
Hagen is also a committed community member and recipient of the prestigious Sarasota County Bar President’s Award for Community Service having served several governmental, non-governmental, and philanthropic organizations over the years including:
Sarasota City Commission
Sarasota County Bar Association Board of Directors
Twelfth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
Sarasota County Tourist Development Council
Sarasota Bay Park Improvement Board
Sarasota Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Florida League of Cities, Land Use & Economic Development Committee
Teen Court of Sarasota Board of Directors
Brandi’s Wish Foundation Board of Directors
Booker High School Mock Trial Team Coach
Mayors Feed the Hungry
Hagen Brody is a Florida native, a graduate of Sarasota High School where he won a Men’s Tennis State Championship. The sport took him out west where he captained his Division I Men’s Tennis team at The University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned his undergraduate degree. Hagen returned to Florida to earn his law degree from The University of Miami and now lives in southwest Florida—but remains a Miami Hurricane fan.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Laura was a partner at an insurance defense firm in Tampa for 12 years.
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of The South (Sewanee), Laura returned to her home state of Florida and graduated from Stetson University College of Law.
Mr. Conto is a Partner at the firm’s Boca Raton Office. Mr. Conto began his career in law representing corporations in legal matters concerning maritime law. Mr. Conto then joined a well-known litigation defense firm with offices throughout Florida. There he focused his practice on defending corporations in construction defect matters, premises liability matters and negligent security matters involving claims of wrongful death. He also represented insurance companies in high exposure first-party property disputes.
At Lydecker Mr. Conto is concentrating his practice on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, product manufacturers and insurance carriers in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and use of real property. Mr. Conto has successfully represented clients in all phases of litigation including trials, summary judgment proceedings and mediations.
Graham Cox is an Associate in Lydecker’s Texas office. Mr. Cox’s practice involves all aspects of civil litigation, with a primary focus on representing clients in complex disputes from inception through resolution. He is experienced in managing cases across a wide range of matters, including commercial litigation, business disputes, general liability claims, as well as Directors and Officers liability and employment matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Cox practiced at a Texas based law firm where he managed a substantial caseload, taking an active role in all phases of litigation. His experience includes drafting pleadings and dispositive motions, conducting and defending depositions, appearing in court on behalf of clients, and negotiating favorable settlements. He has served as first chair attorney in depositions and has worked closely with clients to develop strategies tailored to their legal and business objectives.
Jarmanese K. Davis is an Associate in Lydecker’s Houston office. Ms. Davis’s practice focuses on civil litigation, including commercial and business disputes, employment matters, and general liability claims. Drawing on her prior in-house experience, she approaches litigation with an understanding of both the legal and practical considerations businesses face when navigating disputes, regulatory obligations, and risk.
Ms. Davis also has experience managing and supporting litigation, including developing case strategy, drafting and reviewing pleadings, coordinating with outside counsel, evaluating legal and business risk, and assisting with matters through various stages of litigation and resolution.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Davis served as in-house counsel for companies in the EdTech and oil and gas/energy industries, where she advised business leaders on employment, commercial, regulatory, compliance, and corporate matters. Her experience includes conducting workplace investigations, advising on employment policies and agreements, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and nondisclosure agreements, supporting cross-border transactions and due diligence, and advising on regulatory compliance and corporate governance.
Ms. Davis earned her Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she served as an Articles Editor for the Louisiana Journal of Civil Law Studies and as a executive board member of the Board of Advocates. She was also inducted into the Order of the Barristers in recognition of her excellence in written and oral advocacy. During law school, Ms. Davis participated in LSU’s Civil Mediation Clinic and competed in national moot court and dispute resolution competitions. Ms. Davis is also a credentialed Texas mediator with advanced training in civil and family law mediation.
Mrs. Diverio is a shareholding partner at Lydecker’s Miami office and is the chair of the property practice group. She is a trial and appellate attorney for first and third party lawsuits. She handles bad faith claims, third party claims nationally, fire/theft/fraud investigations, windstorm coverage insurance defense, personal injury, general liability, subrogation claims, fraud investigations, and all types of property damage claims.
In addition to her broad insurance coverage practice, Ms. Diverio has significant experience in Directors & Officers (D&O) condominium litigation, where she represents boards, associations, and insurers in matters involving governance disputes, fiduciary duty claims, and coverage issues. Her work in this area provides clients with strategic counsel on both preventative risk management and litigation defense.
Mrs. Diverio litigates insurance disputes involving high exposure commercial and personal lines in both State and Federal court. Mrs. Diverio’s practice group handles claims from pre-suit investigations through trials and appeals.
Mrs. Diverio has handled a multitude of appellate and trial matters and has been first-handedly involved in changing and upholding Florida Statutes on significant current insurance defense issues.
Most importantly, Mrs. Diverio’s strength lies in client relations and professionalism. She maintains an open line of communication with her clients during all phases of litigation, settlement of a dispute, and works in conjunction with her adjusters to quickly and efficiently resolve claims.
Christopher Dow is a Partner in Lydecker’s San Francisco office and has over 15 years of defense litigation experience in the areas of environmental law, products liability, mass tort and general liability matters. He also advises clients on compliance with regulations promulgated under many federal and state environmental statutes addressing contaminated soil and water, stormwater runoff and air pollution.
After graduating law school, Chris was Assistant Counsel, and later Associate Counsel, at the New York State Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform where he advised state policymakers on the promulgation and implementation of environmental regulations. In this capacity, he helped oversee the drafting of regulations implementing the stationary source permitting program mandated by Title V of the federal Clean Air Act. He also worked to find common ground between environmental regulators, private industry and environmental advocates in conjunction with pre-permitting of shovel-ready land use development sites in New York State’s successful effort to attract silicon chip manufacturers.
In private practice, Chris specialized in hazardous waste cleanup cost recovery litigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and has represented public and private clients involved in hazardous waste cleanup efforts projected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2024, Chris wrote and argued a successful cross-motion for summary judgment on behalf of his client based on plaintiff’s failure to adequately follow federal hazardous waste cleanup rules, i.e., the National Contingency Plan.
On behalf of a California county sued by a city for hazardous substances contamination stemming from a former landfill, Chris played a key role in authoring successful demurrers and also a motion for determination of good faith settlement which, combined, allowed the county to entirely escape liability from all of plaintiff’s causes of action, including those brought under California’s Hazardous Substances Account Act and continuing nuisance theory.
Chris has also found success in defending clients in products liability and negligence matters. For example, in 2025, Chris second chaired two trials, one for a retailer of big rig trucks and another for a retailer of big rig truck parts. In the first trial, a strict products liability action involving an exploding truck which injured the plaintiff-driver, his client was found nominally liable with the jury finding the other two defendants collectively liable for 90 percent of plaintiffs’ damages. In the second, a personal injury action in which a deliverer of truck parts suffered injury while unloading a truck trailer, Chris played a key role in achieving a defense verdict.
Chris graduated with honors from Albany Law School in Albany, New York where he was elected to the Justinian Society.
Udhaya Elangovan is an Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office with approximately a decade of litigation experience. She is licensed to practice law in California and India and brings an international legal perspective to complex civil matters. Her practice spans a broad range of litigation, including products liability, toxic tort, real property disputes, employment matters, accident and personal injury claims, elder abuse, medical malpractice, immigration related issues, unlawful detainer actions, and family law.
Prior to practicing in the United States, Ms. Elangovan practiced at the Law Offices of Justice G.R. Swaminathan before the High Court of Judicature at Madras in India. During this time she handled a diverse docket of civil matters involving real property, employment disputes, accident claims, and family law proceedings. She was also appointed Advocate Commissioner by the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) in a significant labor dispute, where she assisted the court in fact finding and contributed to a resolution that protected the rights of hundreds of employees.
In addition to her litigation experience, Ms. Elangovan previously served as Compliance Counsel on Google’s Legal Investigations Team. In that role she advised an international team on issues involving data security, user privacy, and regulatory compliance, providing legal insight on sensitive and complex matters involving global technology operations.
Ms. Elangovan is deeply committed to serving diverse and immigrant communities and assisting clients through complex and often life changing legal challenges. She approaches her work with a combination of strategic legal analysis, clear communication, and empathy to help clients navigate difficult situations with confidence.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Elangovan served as Secretary of the Women Lawyers Association in India, where she helped organize and lead legal aid initiatives designed to expand access to justice for underserved communities.
Her professional philosophy is influenced by leadership thinkers such as Brené Brown and Simon Sinek, whose work on vulnerability, purpose, and leadership informs her client centered approach to the practice of law.
Camille Engle is an Associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where she focuses her practice on Construction Defects, Premises Liability, and Insurance Defense.
Ms. Engle has experience managing all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, written discovery, depositions, mediations, motion practice, and trial preparation.
Originally from Lake Mary, Florida, Ms. Engle attended the University of Central Florida for her Bachelors of Science and later earned her Juris Doctor from Florida State University.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Engle practiced at a general civil litigation firm where she concentrated on bodily injury defense, first-party property matters, and commercial litigation.
Ms. Franks is a partner in the firm’s Miami office, where she defends local, national, and international organizations, as well as individuals, and tries catastrophic personal injury actions, premises liability matters, professional liability claims, construction defect matters, and medical/substance abuse treatment malpractice claims throughout the State of Florida.
Ms. Franks is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to South Florida in 2002 to study journalism and political science. Prior to pursuing her law degree, Ms. Franks taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami in the Department of Political Science for five years. Her classes included Intro to American National Government, the Legislative Process, and Congressional Representation. Ms. Franks earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011.
Ms. Franks has considerable experience dealing with automobile negligence, professional malpractice, medical malpractice, and premises liability matters involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and extra contractual exposure, including a focus on evidentiary issues, dispositive motion practice, complex liability claims, and damages mitigation.
Ms. Franks earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami in 2004. She graduated cum laude with a double-major in journalism and political science. Ms. Franks went on to complete a Master’s degree in Communication at the University of Miami in 2005, also graduating cum laude.
Ms. Franks earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011. At the University of Miami School of Law, Ms. Franks was the recipient of the Hugh L. Wood Scholarship, Outstanding Merit Scholarship, and the Ehrich Scholarship. Ms. Franks served as a research assistant to multiple highly regarded University of Miami School of Law professors in the areas of environmental litigation and legislation, the first amendment, and communication regulation.
Alex Garrett is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Tampa office and is a former Public Defender with extensive experience in a broad range of civil disputes. Mr. Garrett represents a wide range of clientele, including condominium associations, homeowners associations, small businesses, governmental entities, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality industry.
A Florida Native, Mr. Garrett is a “Double Gator” and received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida.
Mr. Garrett is committed to staying up to date on new developments in the law and is dedicated to providing his clients exceptional outcomes with a focus on their individual needs.
Matthew Gelder is an Associate in Lydecker’s Jersey City office. Mr. Gelder’s practice involves all aspects of state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in insurance litigation.
Mr. Gelder earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in May 2024. During law school, Mr. Gelder interned at the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC), where he was responsible for researching issues relating to alcohol licensing enforcement. Mr. Gelder also earned a concentration in gaming, sports, entertainment, hospitality, and administrative law while at Seton Hall Law. Furthermore, Mr. Gelder was a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Mr. Gelder spent the year after graduating law school clerking in the New Jersey Superior Court Family Division.
Doug Gerber is Of Counsel with Lydecker and works in the Firm’s Orlando office. Mr. Gerber been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and the Middle District of Florida since 2006. Mr. Gerber’s areas of practice include but are not limited to civil litigation, commercial litigation, general liability litigation, premises liability, property practice, and business law throughout the State of Florida. He has extensive experience in representing business entities, insurers, and individuals in litigation often involving motion practice, mediations, and trials.
A native Floridian who was born in and raised in South Florida and who has lived in Central Florida for more than 25 years, Mr. Gerber is a double Gator, having earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida in 1992 and his master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a Specialization in Sports Management from the University of Florida in 1996. While at the University of Florida, Mr. Gerber was admitted and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
After working for various sports organizations in Central Florida involving amateur sports events, college bowl games, NFL exhibitions, and the 1996 Olympic Games, Mr. Gerber attended the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where was first a Staff Member and then became an Articles Editor for the Nova Law Review. Mr. Gerber had his article on the validity of arbitration clauses in personal injury suits involving minors published in the Fall 2003 issue of the Nova Law Review. He was also a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society while at the Shepard Broad Law Center after interning with the Administrative Judge for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida and with the City Attorney’s Office with the City of Coral Springs.
Mr. Gerber has served as the Chairman of the Real Property Law Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, was a member of the Small Claims Rules Committee of the Florida Bar, and most recently served as the Chair of Section C of the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Brett Goldman is an Partner in the firm’s New York and New Jersey offices. His practice focuses on employment law including discrimination and retaliation cases before state and federal courts and agencies, professional liability matters, and insurance coverage, as well as general liability cases and commercial disputes. Brett has represented health care, treatment and long term care facilities and professionals in cases involving employment claims , professional liability, personal injury, and other matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Brett spent two years at a large insurer in Jersey City, New Jersey handling employment practices liability claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters. While a claims representative, Brett provided litigation and claims management services, made coverage decisions, and oversaw settlement discussions and mediations. Insured clients, found nationwide, ranged from large education networks to healthcare institutions, as well as car dealerships and supermarket chains.
Additionally, Brett spent time as a management consultant for the advisory services division of a Big 4 accounting firm, for which he provided consulting services to clients in the financial services industry. His projects included mortgage remediation for a large U.S. bank and project management for a notable financial services corporation’s anti-money laundering efforts. Brett also gained valuable experience as a volunteer attorney for the New York State Unified Court System’s Access to Justice program, assisting pro se litigants in New York and Kings County Housing Courts.
Mr. Hendricks is the Managing Partner for Lydecker LLP. He practices out of the firm’s Miami and Boca Raton offices where he maintains an active trial and civil litigation practice in the Federal, State, and Appellate Courts throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Hendricks’ areas of practice include general civil litigation and trial practice, commercial litigation, professional liability/malpractice defense, insurance/tort liability defense, and labor and employment. He also serves as lead trial counsel for the firm’s clients and carriers and oversees the firm’s trial teams. He has over 25 years of experience representing clients and has successfully defended clients against multi-million dollar cases as lead trial counsel. He is often called upon to assist clients and carriers on high exposure and large loss claims in his capacity as monitoring counsel or co-counsel.
Upon graduating with Honors from the University of Miami School of Law, Mr. Hendricks began practicing as an associate Greenberg, Traurig, in the environmental litigation and land use department. Looking to further his litigation experience he accepted a position as a practiced commercial litigation associate with Kimbrell & Hamann. In 1990, Mr. Hendricks relocated to Palm Beach County where he spent several years practicing insurance defense and commercial litigation at Walton Lantoff. He subsequently joined the firm of Carman, Beauchamp and Sang as a senior associate and trial attorney. From 1999 thru 2007, Mr. Hendricks was employed as a partner at Panza, Maurer, Maynard & Noel where he served as a senior litigation partner and lead trial attorney for many of the firm’s corporate, institutional and governmental clients.
In law school, Mr. Hendricks was the winner of the University of Miami Law School’s Mock Trial Competition and member of the National Trial Competition Team. He also served as a member of the Inter-American Law Review, member of the Society of Bar & Gavel, Society of Wig and Robe, and was inducted into the school’s Moot Court Board.
Mr. Hendricks’ representative clients include private and public educational institutions, environmental, pollution and toxic tort defense, prison liability, prison healthcare and liability, public and private corporations, municipal governments, state agencies and political subdivisions, insurance companies and self-insured entities. Mr. Hendricks’ trial experience includes Federal, state and appellate proceedings including public procurements and bid protests.
Angelique Hernandez is a trial lawyer in Lydecker’s Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami offices, trusted by sophisticated clients to defend their highest-stakes litigation. Her practice spans all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation, with a concentrated focus on employment, general liability, premises liability, and wrongful-death matters.
Angelique represents multinational corporations, Fortune 25 companies, municipalities, and high-profile “A-list” clients in complex disputes involving FLSA, FEHA, and FMLA claims, as well as wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and wage-and-hour class and representative actions. She has tried more than a dozen cases to verdict and is equally formidable in driving efficient, strategic resolutions outside the courtroom. Known for her disciplined and tailored litigation strategy, Angelique develops case-specific defenses that position her clients for decisive wins, earning her a reputation as a trusted advisor and relentless advocate. Angelique began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, where she represented more than 1,000 indigent clients and honed the courtroom instincts that define her trial practice today.
Angelique earned her Juris Doctor, with honors, from Florida International University College of Law in May 2021. She served as Director of Coaches for the Moot Court Team, was awarded Best Orator, and was an Emory Civil Rights and Liberties Moot Court Competition Semifinalist. Angelique competed on her law school’s Trial Team and received the award for Outstanding Trial Team Member of the Year, the Tom Gamba Trial Advocate Scholarship, and recognition as an AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Semifinalist. She was also a Senior Staff Editor on the FIU Law Review and held board positions with the Women’s Law Society and the Cuban American Bar Association.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to service, Angelique’s dedication to her community is foundational to her practice. Her pro bono work has earned outstanding service awards, and she has received high recognition from the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office for her “Loyalty, Excellence, and Dedication to the Cause of Justice.” These values continue to define her approach to advocacy and leadership today.
Mia Hernandez is an Associate in Lydecker’s Jersey City, New Jersey office. Her practice focuses on General Liability, Insurance, Labor and Employment, and Professional Liability.
Following law school, Ms. Hernandez served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Joseph G. Monaghan in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Civil Division, Special Civil Part. In this role, she drafted judicial orders, reviewed matters on appeal and provided recommendations to the court, and facilitated settlement conferences between litigants before trial. Her prior legal experience includes personal injury, premises liability, workers’ compensation, and the representation of minors.
Ms. Hernandez earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School in Newark in 2025. During law school, she represented unaccompanied minors petitioning the court for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and served as a law guardian for children in foster care through the Rutgers Child Advocacy Clinic.
Jacqueline Humbert is an experienced trial attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, creditor-debtor disputes, insurance litigation, construction defect matters, and other complex civil disputes. With more than 18 years of litigation experience, Ms. Humbert has represented individuals, businesses, insurers, property owners, financial institutions, and other clients in state and federal courts throughout Florida.
Ms. Humbert has extensive courtroom experience, having served as lead counsel in more than 75 jury trials. She began her career as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward County, where she spent more than a decade handling serious felony matters, including first-degree murder, major crimes, and death penalty cases. Her experience included complex motion practice, evidentiary hearings, appellate matters, and trial preparation, as well as supervising and mentoring junior attorneys.
Since transitioning to civil practice, Ms. Humbert has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of matters, including commercial and contract disputes, first-party property insurance and coverage litigation, construction defect and catastrophic property damage claims, and creditor-debtor matters. She also has significant experience in judgment enforcement and debt recovery, including domestication of judgments, fraudulent transfer actions, garnishments, levies, asset investigations, and other post-judgment remedies.
Ms. Humbert earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida. She is admitted to The Florida Bar and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Ms. Humbert is fluent in English and Spanish.
Melissa Hubble is Of Counsel in Lydecker, LLP’s Miami office. Ms. Hubble’s practice involves all aspects of state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in bodily injury, premises liability, general liability, and negligent security. Ms. Hubble also handles construction defect matters, tort liability, officers and directors, insurance coverage, and contractual litigation matters.
Ms. Hubble earned her J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law in May of 2021, graduating with honors. Prior to earning her degree at Ave Maria School of Law, Ms. Hubble attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During law school at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Ms. Hubble was a general editor for the Law of Public Policy Journal and a member of the John Marshall Bar Association.
Mr. Johnson specializes in the representation of professionals, corporations and insurers in a broad range of business and tort matters, including employment claims, environmental claims and other complex actions. Mr. Johnson also has experience litigating government municipal matters throughout the state of Florida, as well as representing journalists and media companies in intellectual property and defamation litigation. Mr. Johnson’s practice also includes the defense of attorneys, accountants and real estate professionals in professional liability matters and non-profit corporations as well as their directors and officers in a range of matters.
Before joining Lydecker, Mr. Johnson began his career as an associate in the Miami office of a business litigation boutique headquartered in New York, where he represented banking and corporate interests in multiple international business and commercial disputes. Mr. Johnson is also an experienced and accomplished appellate attorney, having multiple published Federal and Florida opinions, as well as oral arguments and appellate mediations across multiple appellate courts.
In addition to his professional commitments, Mr. Johnson recognizes his responsibility to serve the community. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of South Florida, one of the leading youth mentoring organizations in the country, as well as the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board. He is also a director of BAC Funding Corp. a non-profit state funded lender for disadvantaged business. He is also Secretary of the Coppin State University Development Foundation which raises money for scholarships to his alma mater, Coppin State University. He also Serves as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade School District Audit and Budget Committee. He has also served as a member of the Executive Board of the Miami-Dade Chapter of NAACP and the Polemarch (President) of the Richmond-Perrine (FL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Shaun Robert Koby is a Shareholder with the Firm’s Florida offices. His practice focuses in the areas of complex commercial litigation, professional malpractice, insurance defense, and constitutional law.
Mr. Koby earned his undergraduate degree from the Florida State University in 2004. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminology. Mr. Koby graduated first in his class out of over 9000 students.
Besides academics, he was also actively involved in Student Government and created two community service organizations that enabled students to perform countless hours of service to the FSU campus and surrounding community. During the summer before graduation, Mr. Koby was an intern in the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs for Governor Jeb Bush.
Mr. Koby earned his Juris Doctor Degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 2007. He was a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Trial Practice. Mr. Koby also created a community service organization named Gators United Together for Service and was awarded a Community Service Certificate upon completion of law school.
Ms. LaFaurie is a Lydecker Partner overseeing teams throughout the Firm’s Florida and California offices, with extensive experience handling a wide variety of high exposure and complex general liability and personal injury matters. Ms. LaFaurie is the Head of the Firm’s Product Liability Department and the co-chair of the Mass Tort Department. She is one of the firm’s trial attorneys, who regularly handles matters through all phases of litigation, from evidentiary hearings, arbitrations, and through trial, before Local, State and Federal Courts in connection with a wide variety of complex civil and commercial litigation matters.
Ms. LaFaurie’s general liability, product liability, and mass tort litigation experience includes representing premises owners and operators, local and global manufacturers, as well as major national retailers in numerous areas within the wider tort-based field, such as catastrophic injury, premises liability claims, class action, mass and toxic tort litigation, recalled product claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials. Her experience includes high exposure injury, wrongful death, and commercial matters. Ms. LaFaurie proactively manages and advises her clients on legal and factual matters of first impression, including efforts to mitigate and limit the prospective of emerging and anticipated claims, future class action and large-scale legal exposures.
Ms. LaFaurie is actively involved in leadership and mentorship in several national organizations focused on defense of business owners of all kinds. She sits on several committees with a focus which reflects her practice in civil litigation, product liability and mass tort.
Valentina Lopera is an Associate at the Firm’s Miami office. Valentina’s practice focuses on civil litigation and insurance defense. Valentina has experience defending claims for personal injury sounding in auto negligence, premises liability, product liability, and construction negligence, as well as defending first party property damage claims, civil rights claims, employment-based claims, and workers’ compensation claims.
After graduating cum laude from Florida International University with a degree in Political Science, Valentina obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law. While in law school, Valentina was a Junior Associate and Bilingual Translator for the school journal, ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law.
Valentina has a commitment to pro-bono work and received an honorary distinction for completing more than 200 hours of pro-bono services during law school career. Valentina interned with Mission United Veterans Pro Bono Legal Aid Services of Broward County, where she helped low-income veterans appeal their military discharge status and/or their benefits; as well as assisting veterans in various civil matters including evictions and child custody disputes. Valentina also interned at the Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Clinic, providing legal assistance services to caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, Valentina has experience having interned with the Miami-Dade Public Schools Board of Education. Valentina continues to do pro-bono work.
Christopher Lutzel is an associate at the firm’s Dallas and Miami offices. Mr. Lutzel is a detail-oriented, communicative litigator experienced in providing tailored strategies that conclude with superb results for his clients whether through favorable settlements or other means of resolution. Mr. Lutzel provides in-depth analysis of all facets of a case from presuit investigation through trial preparation in order to provide his clients with optimal strategy recommendations based on how any case develops through the course of litigation.
Mr. Lutzel concentrates his practice in cases involving Bodily Injury, Premises Liability, and Commercial and Homeowner’s First-Party Disputes. His experience involves matters dealing with traumatic brain injuries, physical altercations resulting in injury, slip/trip and fall, and motor vehicle accidents among others in addition to his experience in property matters centered around catastrophes, weather, and non-weather related property damage.
Mr. Lutzel graduated from the FIU College of Law. While in Law School, Mr. Lutzel was president of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Society. While in college, Mr. Lutzel was a member of the Baylor University football team.
Richard Lydecker is a founding partner at Lydecker, a full-service AV-rated national law firm with offices throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and Georgia. As a distinguished leader and visionary in the legal community, Richard has played an instrumental role in shaping the firm’s reputation and success since its inception in 1994 as an aggressive and responsive law firm.
With a career spanning over several decades, Richard J. Lydecker has established himself as a formidable force in the field of defense litigation. His practice predominantly focuses on complex commercial litigation, professional liability, bodily injury, auto negligence, environmental law, employment, D&O, E&O, accounting malpractice, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, bad faith litigation, and insurance coverage. His extensive background in these areas has earned him recognition as a trusted and skilled litigator, consistently delivering exceptional results for his clients. Richard’s diverse and extensive background makes Lydecker a premiere law firm.
Richard’s legal journey began with a robust education and training, laying the foundation for his future accomplishments. He earned his Juris Doctor from a prestigious law school and quickly rose through the ranks, gaining invaluable experience and expertise in civil litigation. Over the years, Richard has handled a wide array of cases, ranging from intricate commercial disputes to high-stakes professional liability claims.
Prior to Richard’s career in civil practice, he was a Senior Major Case Bureau Prosecutor in New York with an outstanding record of success in preparing, managing, and trying high-profile cases. Casework involved high-profile, high-visibility criminal prosecution of homicides, robbery, arson, rape, and burglary. Richard successfully tried in excess of 100 criminal cases, many resulting in guilty verdicts carrying life sentences. Before accepting his appointment to the District Attorney’s Office, Richard was an attorney at a prestigious Wall Street, N.Y. law firm.
Richard Lydecker’s remarkable career as a founding partner of Lydecker showcases his expertise in defense litigation, his leadership within the firm, and his dedication to client success. His diverse background and extensive experience have made him a respected figure in the legal community, and his contributions continue to shape the firm’s reputation as a premier law firm nationwide.
Today Lydecker has ten main practice areas:
- Appellate
- Bankruptcy and Banking
- Business, Corporate and Transactional
- Condominium & HOA
- Construction Design & Environmental
- Employment
- General Liability
- Government
- Insurance
- Professional Liability
Lydecker has the following sub practice areas:
Accounting Malpractice, Admiralty and Maritime, Appellate Advocacy, Appellate Practice, Architects and Engineers, Attorney Malpractice, Bad Faith Litigation, Banking and Financial Services Litigation, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Bodily Injury Defense, Business Law, Business Reorganization, Catastrophic Injury & Loss Defense, Class Action Defense, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property, Complex Commercial Litigation, Condominium & Homeowners’ Association Law, Construction & Design Contracts, Construction Accident Claims, Construction Defect Litigation, Construction Payment, Delay and Lien Disputes, Corporate Law, Corporate Liability, Coverage Disputes, Cyber Liability ⁄ Internet Law, Defamation, Directors and Officers, Education Law, Environmental Law, Errors and Omissions, Financial Litigation, General Liability, Government, Government Liability, Healthcare, Hospitality, Insurance, Insurance Agents and Brokers, Insurance Coverage and Extra-Contractual Litigation, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Land Use and Zoning, Mass Environmental Toxic Tort Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Negligent Security, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Property Practice, Real Estate Practice, Residential Property, Tort Liability, Transportation Liability and Workers Compensation.
Complex Commercial Litigation: Richard’s proficiency in complex commercial litigation is well-known. He has successfully represented clients in multifaceted legal battles, navigating intricate legal frameworks and securing favorable outcomes. His strategic approach and meticulous attention to detail have been pivotal in resolving disputes efficiently and effectively.
Professional Liability: Richard has extensive experience defending professionals across various industries against liability claims. His deep understanding of the nuances of professional conduct and standards enables him to provide robust defense strategies, protecting his clients’ reputations and careers.
Bad Faith Litigation: Richard is a recognized authority in bad faith litigation, representing clients in cases involving insurance companies. His tenacity and commitment to justice have resulted in significant victories, holding insurers accountable for their obligations.
Insurance Coverage: Richard’s expertise extends to insurance coverage matters, where he advises clients on complex coverage issues and disputes. His comprehensive knowledge of insurance law ensures that his clients receive the coverage they are entitled to, and he has successfully litigated numerous coverage cases.
Leadership and Oversight
As a founding partner, Richard oversees the firm’s practice groups and manages the firm’s relationships with its clients and carriers. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and client-centric service. Richard is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment within the firm, ensuring that every client receives personalized attention and tailored legal solutions.
Richard’s strategic vision has been instrumental in the firm’s growth and expansion. Under his guidance, Lydecker has become a nationally recognized law firm, known for its dedication to client success and its ability to handle complex legal challenges. His emphasis on continuous improvement and professional development has cultivated a team of highly skilled attorneys who share his passion for legal excellence.
Commitment to Clients
Richard’s client-centric approach is at the heart of his practice. He believes in building long-standing relationships grounded in mutual trust and respect. By understanding each client’s unique needs and goals, Richard provides strategic counsel and representation that aligns with their best interests. His ability to navigate complex legal landscapes and deliver practical solutions has earned him a loyal client base and numerous accolades within the legal community.
Personal and Professional Values
Beyond his professional achievements, Richard is known for his unwavering commitment to integrity, ethics, and community service. He actively participates in various professional organizations and contributes to legal scholarship through speaking engagements and publications. Richard’s dedication to giving back to the community is reflected in his involvement in pro bono work and charitable initiatives.
Looking Ahead
As Lydecker continues to grow and evolve, Richard remains dedicated to leading the firm towards new heights of success. His vision for the future includes expanding the firm’s capabilities, embracing technological advancements, and maintaining the highest standards of legal practice. Richard’s legacy is one of excellence, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Ms. Matthews is an Associate in the Firm’s Employment & Labor Practice Group, where she represents employers and insurers in a wide range of employment-related matters. Ms. Matthews assists with the defense of claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, and other workplace-related issues. Ms. Matthews works closely with clients to develop practical strategies that minimize risk, ensure compliance with evolving employment laws, and efficiently resolve disputes through litigation, counseling, and alternative dispute resolution.
Ms. Matthews earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law, where she was actively involved in student organizations and community outreach initiatives. During law school, she participated in the Palermo Program, mentoring high school students in Miami-Dade County interested in pursuing legal careers. Ms. Matthews was also a member of the Black Law Students Association, focusing on leadership, advocacy and diversity within the legal field.
Matthew McElligott is a Partner at Lydecker’s Miami office and is a veteran trial attorney with extensive experience litigating across the legal spectrum. At Lydecker, Mr. McElligott’s practice areas include premises liability, products liability, professional liability, bad faith litigation, complex commercial litigation, construction defect / accident claims, negligent security, and catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Mr. McElligott is originally from Virginia and attended George Mason University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in the Administration of Justice. Mr. McElligott then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law graduating cum laude and receiving book awards in Professional Responsibility and Evidence.
Mr. McElligott began his legal career at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office and amassed considerable trial experience representing clients over a wide range of criminal offenses. Since then, Mr. McElligott has represented individuals and companies in a wide range of civil matters as both plaintiffs and defendants with a focus on litigation and courtroom advocacy. Mr. McElligott also has substantial appellate experience having authored several writs and appeals throughout the District Courts of Florida.
Mr. McElligott’s comprehensive litigation experience is an asset to clients in need of zealous, professional, and effective representation.
Mark Mercer is a partner in Lydecker’s Los Angeles and San Diego offices. He has over 25 years of experience representing private companies and public agencies in complex legal matters, with a practice deeply rooted in California construction law. Mark began his legal career in personal injury defense before transitioning to the representation of sureties in construction litigation, where he developed extensive experience handling multi-party construction claims and performance disputes. Mark later moved into public-sector practice, representing and advising California public agencies on construction claims, bid disputes, and environmental and regulatory compliance matters.
His current construction defect experience spans residential, commercial, and public infrastructure projects and includes claims involving alleged design defects, construction deficiencies, delays, and building performance issues. He regularly counsels owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals through all phases of construction defect matters, from pre-litigation risk assessment and dispute resolution to complex litigation.
In addition to construction defect litigation, Mark’s practice includes real estate, project entitlement, and insurance coverage matters, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the contractual, regulatory, and coverage issues that frequently intersect with California construction disputes. His practical, solutions-oriented approach is informed by a deep understanding of California’s construction statutes, public contracting requirements, and risk allocation frameworks.
Some of his successes include:
- Obtaining a defense verdict on a million-dollar contractor lawsuit for extra payment arising from unforeseen conditions.
- Settling a several million-dollar construction defect claim of a water treatment facility.
Daniel Mirarchi is the Managing Partner of Lydecker’s Doylestown Pennsylvania office. Mr. Mirarchi represents businesses, insurance carriers, and professionals in sophisticated civil litigation, including transportation, premises liability, employment, commercial disputes, and data privacy matters. With more than twenty-five years of experience in handling complex disputes on both sides of the courtroom, he brings a distinct perspective to his defense practice.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Mirarchi represented companies across industries in putative class actions arising from data privacy and cybersecurity incidents. He worked alongside business partners, incident response counsel, cyber insurance claim professionals, forensic investigators, and law enforcement to address pending litigation and state and federal regulatory inquiries. His defense practice also encompasses transportation and premises liability matters for a Fortune 50 company, employment disputes, and claims involving the misappropriation of trade secrets. Mr. Mirarchi has significant experience in handling vicarious liability claims and contractual and common law indemnity issues in auto and premises cases in Pennsylvania courts.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Mirarchi represented domestic and foreign shareholders in several securities fraud class actions and derivative lawsuits. Among them, he managed opt out claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon explosion on behalf of several institutional investors who purchased BP plc securities on non-U.S. exchanges. Mr. Mirarchi also served as one of the lead counsel in In re Parmalat Securities Litigation (SDNY), often referred to as the “Enron of Europe” due to the scale of the fraud, resulting in a substantial recovery for shareholders. He led a shareholder derivative action alleging the illegal off-label marketing of a blockbuster drug, leading to a settlement with first-of-its-kind corporate governance reforms.
Mr. Mirarchi focuses on identifying issues that drive a case, assessing potential exposure early, developing tailored fact and expert discovery, and pursuing a strategy that meets his client’s needs. He works closely with claim professionals, in-house counsel, risk managers, and business leaders before a case is filed and through every phase of a lawsuit, providing guidance and clear communication so his clients can make informed decisions about litigation strategy, potential resolution, and, when necessary, trial.
Mr. Mirarchi earned his Juris Doctor from the St. John’s University School of law and his undergraduate degree from Temple University. He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern District and Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Christy Montoto is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Montoto concentrates her practice in civil litigation with a primary focus on insurance defense, general liability, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, construction litigation, and related liability matters. She represents insurance carriers, corporate clients, businesses, and individuals in state and federal courts throughout Florida.
Ms. Montoto brings nearly 20 years of litigation experience representing clients through all phases of civil litigation, from pre-suit evaluation through trial and appeal. She regularly advises clients on litigation strategy, liability analysis, risk management, and the efficient resolution of disputes. Her practice includes the evaluation of complex medical and liability issues, damages analysis, and the defense of a wide variety of civil litigation matters.
Throughout her career, Ms. Montoto has represented national insurance carriers, corporate clients, businesses, governmental entities, and individuals in matters involving insurance defense, general liability, premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and disability claims. She has also worked extensively with medical experts, healthcare providers, engineers, vocational specialists, and other professionals in the evaluation and defense of complex claims.
Ms. Montoto is committed to delivering practical legal solutions, exceptional client service, and effective advocacy tailored to each client’s objectives.
Steven Moskowitz is an Associate in Lydecker’s Jersey City office, where he focuses his practice on Insurance defense and Labor & Employment matters. He is admitted to practice law in both New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Moskowitz earned his Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School in May 2024, where he was awarded the Rutgers Law Merit Scholarship. During his time at Rutgers, he gained hands-on experience as a Clinical Law Student in the Education and Health Law Clinic. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in May 2019.
Before joining Lydecker, Mr. Moskowitz served as a Law Clerk at Hirsh Business Law P.C. during his third year of law school, where he supported a variety of corporate and litigation matters
Mewerick Mozza is an Of Counsel attorney at the Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Mozza concentrates his practice in all aspects of federal and state civil litigation.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Mozza worked for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at the Chambers of Magistrate Judge John J. O’Sullivan, where he aided with matters from Social Security Disability determinations, maritime personal injury cases, to international breach of contracts. Furthermore, Magistrate Judge O’Sullivan and Mr. Mozza were invited to Bolivia to provide an international conference where they were awarded Distinguished Visitor status and laws passed under their names for aiding the judiciary system in Bolivia. Additionally, Mr. Mozza worked for Mozza & Abogados Asociados exposing him to a different legal system. He counseled in the administration and legal transactions of the clients’ international businesses throughout South America and in the United States, including the purchasing and leasing of real estate and their international commercial transactions. Furthermore, Mr. Mozza was the recipient of the Law Awards 2022 by Latin American Quality Institute due to the exceptional performance in representing clients in international business transactions. In addition, Mr. Mozza worked at the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine, P.A., where he handled personal injury claims and property damage claims in the pre-litigation and litigation departments. Mr. Mozza is committed to providing aggressive representation for all his clients and ensuring all clients receive effective legal representation.
Mr. Mozza graduated from the Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts and Majors in Political Science, Philosophy, and International Studies in addition to a Minor in Human Communication in 2011. Mr. Mozza graduated Cum Laude from his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2015, and was a member of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. Subsequently, Mr. Mozza graduated from a Master in Law in International Commercial Arbitration from the University of Miami in 2017. Mr. Mozza additionally obtained a Bachelor of Humanities in Political Science from Universidad Autónoma Gabriel Rene Moreno, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2022. In addition to being a member in good standing of the Florida Bar, Mr. Mozza is also a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Katrina Pacheco is an Associate at Lydecker handling Florida civil litigation matters. Ms. Pacheco has extensive experience in the defense of civil disputes. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation, including general bodily injury and casualty, and professional malpractice.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Pacheco was an Associate at a prominent Florida defense firm where she gained significant litigation experience representing numerous insurance carriers in First Party Property matters throughout Florida. While earning her Juris Doctorate, Ms. Pacheco clerked with the Honorable Judge Peter Lopez and also worked as a law clerk with boutique law firms in the Miami area who focused on insurance litigation at both the State and Federal levels.
Robert Pariser supervises a talented team of attorneys who practice in the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania offices. The attorneys I collaborate with are comprised of former educators, prosecutors, law clerks to state and federal judges and insurance professionals.
Robert Pariser’s legal practice focuses on the defense of claims against professionals (E&O, A&B, LPL or MPL), directors and officers (D&O) and against employers (EPL). Mr. Pariser represents design professionals (A&E) and other real estate professionals, including managing agents, appraisers, title agents, condo and co-op boards and developers in various disputes. On behalf of construction owners and managers, he defends claims prosecuted by injured workers brought pursuant to the New York Labor Law.
Robert Pariser also represent clients on other types of discrimination claims, including alleged civil rights violations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Robert Pariser defends environmental cases, involving mold, asbestos and ground contamination.
Robert Pariser represents public and private educators in breach of contract, employment, bullying, failing to promote and in due process matters.
Robert Pariser has had election, stock redemption, auction, foreclosure/ sheriff sale, false arrest, prosecutorial misconduct disputes. Robert Pariser has been on the New York Metro Super Lawyers list from 2011-present.
Mr. Patten is a Partner at Lydecker’s New York and New Jersey offices. He serves in the commercial litigation department where he works on third party insurance defense, including General Liability Defense, Bodily Injury Defense, New York Labor Law Defense, Construction Defect Litigation, Architects & Engineers litigation, Products Liability, and a variety of other civil litigation issues. Mr. Patten has litigated countless cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic accidents/injuries at construction sites, including claims brought under New York Labor Laws section 200, 240, and 241.
In addition, Mr. Patten is an expert in automobile negligence defense. He has been working in the auto negligence industry for the majority of his career and manages complex cases involving multi-vehicle accidents and catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Mr. Patten provides legal guidance on issues involving vicarious liability, indemnity, as well as non-permissive use. He has experience in both trial and arbitration settings, reaching final judgments, verdicts, and beneficial settlements for his auto negligence clients.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Patten was a prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office where he obtained extensive trial experience prosecuting criminal misdemeanor and felony level charges. Mr. Patten also prosecuted for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, where he litigated dependency issues and termination of parental rights cases.
Mr. Patten received his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in the top 3% of his class. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History, Cum Laude, from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
While in law school, Mr. Patten served as Editor-in-Chief for the St. Thomas Law Review, as well as Student Bar Association President. Mr. Patten also tutored students in property law and worked as an intern for the Honorable Judge John O’Sullivan in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Ms. Robles is a Partner at Lydecker, where her focus is on Florida civil litigation. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation, including general bodily injury and casualty, and first-party property, as well as professional malpractice.
Before joining Lydecker, Ms. Robles was an Associate at Cole, Scott & Kissane in their First-party Property Group, representing carriers throughout South Florida and gaining extensive litigation experience.
Alexa Ruiz is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Ruiz’s practice involves civil litigation, with experience handling premises liability, construction negligence, and bodily injury claims. Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Ruiz served as an Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted criminal matters from charging through resolution and handled all stages of litigation leading up to and through trial. Ms. Ruiz served as first-chair counsel in both bench and jury trials and has experience conducting depositions, arguing motions, negotiating plea agreements and settlements, developing trial strategy, and preparing matters for trial.
Ms. Ruiz earned her J.D., cum laude, from St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law in 2024. During law school, Ms. Ruiz served as an Articles Editor for the Law Review and as Vice President of Communications for the Trial Team. She was also a Dean’s List student and Merit Scholarship recipient. Ms. Ruiz earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance, magna cum laude, from Florida International University.
Ms. Ruiz is a member of the Trial Lawyers Section, Business Law Section, and Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Kenneth Sisco is a Partner in Lydecker’s Atlanta, Georgia office with more than 30 years of litigation experience defending individuals, businesses, corporations, insurers, self-insured entities, third party administrators, and governmental entities in complex civil litigation. His practice encompasses personal injury, general liability, premises liability, negligent security, transportation, commercial trucking, product liability, construction defect, professional liability, and property damage litigation.
Mr. Sisco’s diverse client experience includes retailers, restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, trucking and transportation companies, contractors, architects, engineers, storage facilities, homeowners’ associations and boards, accountants, professional service providers, governmental entities, insurers, TPAs, and self-insured corporations.
Ken has extensive experience defending claims involving wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, foodborne illness, mold exposure, and other serious bodily injuries. His litigation experience includes slip and falls and premises liability matters, negligent security, automobile accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, FMCSA regulated trucking claims, product liability, and other general negligence matters. He has represented individuals and businesses across numerous industries, including retail, hospitality, restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, construction, transportation, and professional services.
Ken defends property damage claims involving residential and commercial structures, land, and personal property arising from fire, water intrusion, roof and building envelope failures, stormwater runoff, mold, construction defects, and other property losses.
His experience includes representing contractors, construction companies, architects, engineers, and other professionals in matters involving claims of negligent construction, construction defects, negligent design, professional liability, and general negligence. He has also represented governmental entities in property damage matters, particularly claims involving stormwater runoff.
Ken also has substantial experience representing insured and self-insured businesses under a variety of risk management structures. He regularly works with insurance carriers, third party administrators, corporate risk management departments, and clients with significant self-insured retentions. This includes experience representing major corporate clients that administer claims internally within their SIR as well as companies whose claims are managed through TPAs.
Matthew T. Smith is an associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where his practice focuses on civil litigation, general liability, commercial litigation, toxic torts, and product liability matters. He has represented both large corporate clients and individuals, having practiced on both the defense and plaintiff sides of litigation. This dual perspective gives him unique insight into opposing strategies, enabling him to craft efficient, cost-conscious, and results-driven solutions for his clients.
Originally from New York, Mr. Smith has spent most of his life in Central Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his J.D., Magna Cum Laude, from Florida A&M University College of Law. While in law school, he earned multiple Dean’s List honors, served as Executive Articles Editor for the Law Review, and completed a judicial internship in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
Mr. Smith understands the importance of protecting a business’s reputation and bottom line while navigating complex legal disputes. He prides himself on being a well-rounded litigator and trusted advisor, committed to delivering practical, strategic counsel that aligns with each client’s operational and financial goals.
James Spratt is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office and practices in all courts in California. His primary areas of practice include complex commercial litigation, tort practice in products liability, real property and construction defect.
Mr. Spratt earned his Juris Doctor Certificate from University of La Verne and his Bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, Santa Barbara. While in law school, Mr. Spratt has held numerous legal internships, including Office of Legislative Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. In Mr. Spratt’s practice, he has held various partner positions with national law firms and has worked for national insurance companies, as staff counsel. He has worked defending national insurance companies in professional negligence, commercial trucking negligence, premises liability and habitability claims.
Mr. Spratt has handled the defense of Property Owners, Landlords, Property Managers, and Homeowners Associations in claims arising out of California Habitability Claims pursuant to compliance with statutory duties under California Civil Code Section 1941.1 and California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3. While the defense of these claims is often challenging in the pro-tenant environment of California law, Partner, James Spratt has displayed skill and expertise in navigating the display of substantial compliance with statutory duties in order to minimize exposure to risks. This is often achieved by a careful analysis of the jurisdictional building code and health & safety code records, in order to achieve favorable results in mediation of these claims. Additionally, Mr. Spratt has engaged some of the best experts in the fields of Property Management and Environmental Science to defend these claims, including Toxicologists, Microbiologists and Medical Doctors specializing in California Mycotoxin, Mold and Environmental Diseases.
Mr. Spratt is active in conservation efforts of Santa Monica Mountains Restoration Trust and enjoys snow skiing and swimming in his spare time. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his German Shepard dog. Mr. Spratt is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Thomas Stevenson is an attorney in Lydecker’s Orlando office where he represents design professionals, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction related disputes, including representation for litigation, mediation, arbitration, contract drafting, and licensure issues. Thomas has experience handling matters from inception to disposition, including appellate matters. Thomas represents these clients throughout the State of Florida.
Thomas also has experience handling cases involving insurance litigation and appellate practice. Thomas has also worked in an advisory role when he was in-house counsel for a loss assessment and engineering company; Thomas was also exposed to collection matters there. Further, Thomas has also represented clients in tax matters and has defended clients against the IRS and Florida Department of Revenue, including pre and post assessment matters and tax court litigation.
Thomas is originally from Wisconsin before starting law school in Orlando, Florida in 2017 where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2019 from Barry School of Law. Thereafter, he earned an LLM in Taxation from the University of Florida, graduating in 2020. Researching case law and articulating it are passions of his. Further, Thomas tends to approach cases from a variety of perspectives to achieve best results for clients.
Mr. Sunnucks is an experienced Florida attorney in Lydecker’s Tampa office and has developed extensive litigation experience representing both national and state insurance carriers. His diverse experience reflects strong analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills, as well as a commitment to client representation and professional excellence. His background includes handling first party property, general liability, and construction defect matters. He earned his Juris Doctor with honors from Florida State University College of Law.
Before his legal career, Mr. Sunnucks worked as a teacher in Pinellas County Schools. Mr. Sunnucks also holds a Master of Science in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Florida State University.
Zayd Takiedine is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Doylestown, Pennsylvania office. Mr. Takiedine’s practice primarily focuses on the areas of professional liability, general liability, commercial litigation, and insurance-related disputes.
Mr. Takiedine earned his Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School, where he obtained a Certificate in Corporate and Business Law. While at Rutgers, he was selected to participate in the Entrepreneurship Clinic, where he assisted in representing local start-up for-profit and non-profit entrepreneurs. During law school, Mr. Takiedine gained valuable in-house transactional and litigation experience as an intern for a Fortune 500 real estate developer and served as a Summer Associate at a prominent suburban Philadelphia law firm.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Takiedine practiced at a full-service law firm in the Philadelphia area, where he handled a broad range of civil litigation matters and real estate tax assessment appeals.
Ms. Thomas is an associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office whose practice focuses on general liability, third-party claims, property defense, and personal injury matters. She brings a well-rounded litigation background and a strategic, client-centered approach to every case she handles.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Thomas worked at an insurance defense firm, where she represented insurance carriers across a broad range of matters, including first-party property disputes, general liability, bodily injury claims, trucking litigation, and third-party claims. This experience provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the insurance industry.
Ms. Thomas earned her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2021. She has gained valuable experience through working with the Conviction Integrity Unit at the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, as well as with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. She also contributed to the legal community through scholarship, publishing an article in a well-known legal journal.
Saasha Williams is an Associate Attorney at Lydecker with extensive experience in handling all aspects of civil litigation.
Saasha is a Central Florida native and member of the Florida Bar Association. Saasha graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. At Stetson, Saasha was involved in mentorship, community outreach, and fundraising for disabled Veterans.
Thereafter, Saasha earned her Juris Doctorate from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law in Orlando, Florida. After earning her J.D., Saasha devoted her career to serving the State of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit and a Senior Attorney for the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Prior to joining the Lydecker, Saasha gained significant litigation experience in a variety of areas of law making her a well rounded asset to the Lydecker family.
Demetrius Wilson is Of Counsel in the firm’s Orlando office. He earned his Juris Doctor from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Florida.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Wilson was an associate at a general civil litigation firm practicing in the areas of personal injury and nursing home defense.
Remeshe Wynter is an Associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where she focuses her practice on General Liability, Insurance Defense, and Premises Liability matters. She represents insurers and insureds in a wide range of civil litigation matters, handling claims involving bodily injury, negligence, and property-related disputes throughout Florida.
Ms. Wynter has experience managing all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, written discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation. She is committed to providing strategic, efficient, and results-driven representation tailored to each client’s objectives.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Wynter practiced at a general civil litigation firm where she concentrated on bodily injury defense, gaining hands-on experience in defending complex liability claims.
Ms. Wynter earned her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida.
Bryan Zaverl is a partner in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. He has held various positions with national and local law firms handling many different types of litigation. Mr. Zaverl most recently worked for a national insurance company, as staff counsel where he tried multiple cases a year for the past five years. He has worked defending individual policy holders as well as many well-known corporations in personal injury, premises liability, and product liability claims.
Mr. Zaverl, in his spare time, enjoys ice hockey (playing, coaching, watching) and photography. He also enjoys spending time with his children and his chocolate Labrador, Aldo. Mr. Zaverl is also a member of the Ventura County Bar Association.
