Property Practice
Property Practice Attorneys
The attorneys that comprise the Property Practice Group have represented both personal and commercial line carriers, provide legal support throughout the claims investigation process, and serve as defense counsel in state and federal litigation.
We cover the entire spectrum of first-party practice, including the investigation of suspicious claims such as arson, inflated contents or loss of business claims, defending allegations of breach of contract, responding to Consumer Complaints and Civil Remedy Notices of Insurer Violation filed with the Department of Financial Services. In representing these clients, our firm has dealt extensively with issues such as third-party liability claims, hurricane damage, sinkhole, arson and fraud investigation, coverage, regulations regarding the claims handling process and allegations of bad faith.
Our attorneys have served as lead counsel on hundreds of cases surrounding claims of property damage ranging from storm loss to total losses as a result of a fire. Our experience with the daily activities and requirements during the adjustment of a claim of loss allows us to work with our clients in moving forward toward resolution of a claim, or to identify all potential defenses in support of a denial or avoidance of coverage.
Our attorneys are highly experienced in working with our clients in the investigation of suspicious claims, which has served to allow our clients to effectively uncover fraud or material misrepresentations. As part of our Property services to carriers, our Property attorneys regularly handle Civil Remedy Notices of Insurer Violation & Consumer Complaints filed with the Department of Financial Services; Coverage Opinions; Breach of Contract Actions; Declaratory Judgment Actions; Bad Faith & Unfair Claims Handling Practices; Litigation Avoidance Practices.
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Property Practice Team
Dianna L. Albini, a Partner at Lydecker’s California Offices, has been a trial attorney for more than 34 years. She is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™, and the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ Judicial Edition as an AV Rated-Preeminent member.[1]
Ms. Albini primarily handles complex catastrophic injury litigation, as well as mass tort litigation involving environmental, medical device implant, and pharmaceutical matters, and civil litigation. Ms. Albini has been admitted Pro Hac Vice as a trial attorney throughout the United States, including New Jersey, Florida, Montana, Georgia, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and Illinois.
Ms. Albini founded her boutique law firm in San Francisco, California. As the firm’s trial attorney, she secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, and over the course of her career thus far, her clients have recovered more than $100 million. Ms. Albini also served on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers. She is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Trial Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Albini, is a California and San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist on numerous occasions.
Ms. Albini is a member of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California and has appeared in the Court of Appeal of California, First, Second, and Fifth Appellate Districts.
Ms. Albini has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Francisco, in the State of California. She has also volunteered as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco, Hastings, and Golden Gate University Law Schools.
Ms. Albini received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and Administration from the University of San Francisco, where she attended on a full-ride athletic scholarship. Ms. Albini was the third female athlete inducted into the University of San Francisco Athletic Hall of Fame. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she made the Dean’s list.
[1] AV-Preeminent ratings are the Highest possible rating, reflecting the confidential opinions of California Bar and Judiciary members who know Ms. Albini’s legal ability and ethical standards.
Stacy Bandhold is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office where she concentrates her practice in civil litigation with a particular focus on general liability matters.
Her background includes several years in workers’ compensation insurance defense, followed by a position as staff counsel for a national insurance carrier, where she represented policyholders and corporate clients in personal injury and premises liability matters. In these roles, she handled cases from inception through resolution and developed experience taking matters to trial.
Ms. Bandhold earned her Juris Doctor through Southwestern Law School’s accelerated SCALE program and has been an active member of the California Bar since 2017.
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.
Justin Christopher Ellis is a Senior Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. Justin is an experienced litigation attorney who focuses his practice on representing industry professionals in a wide range of disputes. Justin provides clients with strategic, results-driven advocacy across matters involving professional liability, real estate disputes, and other complex litigation.
Justin earned his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law, where he received academic awards in Constitutional Law and Advanced Legal Research. His education, combined with years of hands-on litigation experience, allows Justin to offer clients both informed counsel and effective representation.
After his admission to the California Bar in 2020, Justin took a keen interest in high-stakes litigation. With a deep understanding of the legal and practical challenges faced by industry professionals, Justin develops tailored solutions which protect his clients’ interests.
Justin is known for his clear communication, thorough case analysis, and ability to navigate high-stakes negotiations. Dedicated to professionalism and client service, Justin is committed to delivering responsive, efficient, and knowledgeable legal support to professionals and businesses throughout California.
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.
Mr. Gruber is a partner at Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Gruber’s practice spans first- and third-party property claims, including bad faith litigation, fire/theft/fraud investigation, and windstorm coverage and defense. Mr. Gruber litigates insurance disputes involving high exposure commercial and homeowner losses and bad faith issues in both State and Federal court. His practice includes all aspects of pre-suit, appraisal, trial, and appellate litigation. Mr. Gruber has successfully handled hundreds of lawsuits with various degrees of exposure.
Mr. Gruber received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. While in law school, Mr. Gruber was an executive member of the University of Florida Trial Team and chaired multiple criminal trials as a Certified Legal Intern for the Office of the Public Defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit.
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.
Mr. Masson is an experienced civil litigator with a history of success in handling a broad array of complex and high exposure civil matters for individuals, insurers, and other business entities. Mr. Masson prides himself on being an out of the box thinker that is dedicated to meeting his client’s specific needs, providing them with superb legal representation, and obtaining very favorable results.
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.
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.
Carolyn M. Pardilla is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Pardilla’s practice focuses on first-party and third-party property coverage and related litigation.
Ms. Pardilla earned her J.D., cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in May 2025. During law school, she was published in the Nova Law Review and was a member of the Board of Advocates, which encompasses both Moot Court and Trial Association. She also served as a Property Law Teaching and Research Assistant for two years, contributing to research and scholarship on legal malpractice and ethics.
Ms. Pardilla was the Vice President of the Immigration Law Organization and the Public Interest Legal Society. She was a recipient of the Rebecca Knox Public Interest Law Fellowship and was selected by the American Arbitration Association as a national scholarship recipient to attend the Diverse Student ADR Summit in New York. She also participated in the NSU Dispute Resolution Clinic, where she mediated cases, and is in the process of becoming a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator.
In addition to her legal studies, Ms. Pardilla broadened her experience through a summer abroad at the University of Barcelona, where she studied comparative constitutional law and European Union institutions. She was also recognized as a Miami Dade College “Kakehashi Inouye Scholar,” which allowed her to travel to Japan to participate in a cultural exchange program aimed at strengthening U.S.–Japanese relations. Her professional background includes internships with the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, as well as extensive experience as a law clerk at a civil litigation firm in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Mr. Sanchez Parraga is a partner at Lydecker’s Miami, New Jersey, New York, and Los Angeles offices. He is an experienced insurance and commercial litigation attorney whose practice focuses on first-party and third-party property coverage and related litigation. He advises domestic and international insurers on complex coverage issues arising from a broad range of construction and property losses, including those caused by hurricanes, fires, hailstorms, structural failures, and other catastrophic events.
Mr. Parraga regularly acts as both coverage and litigation counsel, with experience representing insurers in high-exposure claims involving commercial buildings, residential developments, hospitality properties, and industrial sites. He is well-versed in policy interpretation, claim assessment, and the application of exclusions and endorsements, and is familiar with insurer reporting obligations and litigation management protocols.
He understands the financial, reputational, and operational pressures faced by insurers and their insureds in the wake of significant property losses. Whether handling claims involving large commercial assets or navigating disputes tied to policyholder obligations, Mr. Parraga offers practical, tailored advice aimed at achieving efficient and favorable outcomes.
In addition to his broad insurance coverage practice, Mr. Sanchez Parraga has developed substantial experience handling Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance claims, particularly in the context of condominium litigation. He regularly represents boards, associations, and insurers in matters involving governance disputes, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, and complex coverage issues. His work in this area combines strategic counsel on D&O risk management with effective litigation defense.
Mr. Sanchez Parraga routinely collaborates with trial attorneys to enhance case strategies, ensuring that issues are preserved for appeal and maximizing the potential for favorable outcomes. His analytical skills enable him to foresee potential challenges and craft strategic solutions, ensuring that every pleading, motion and brief is meticulously prepared and delivered.
Mr. Sanchez Parraga is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, and Georgia.
Mr. Sanchez Parraga earned a Bachelor in Law, with honors, from the University of Barcelona, and received his Juris Doctorate magna cum laude from Nova Southeastern University in 2018. He is admitted to practice law in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and California as well as in the United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern District of Florida.
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.
Craig Rolfe is a partner in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office and is a powerhouse in complex litigation and strategic risk management. Known for his insightful counsel and unwavering dedication, Craig brings over a decade of experience navigating high-stakes cases across California’s state and federal courts. His proven track record encompasses a diverse portfolio, including catastrophic injury, product liability, insurance disputes, directors’ and officers’ liability, data privacy, and commercial conflicts—empowering his clients with robust solutions in the face of today’s most challenging legal issues.
With a reputation for handling intricate litigation with a master’s touch, Craig doesn’t just represent his clients—he champions them. From Fortune 50 conglomerates in telecommunications to dynamic tech companies, Craig advises and aligns with some of the nation’s top executives and Boards, offering clarity and confidence in the midst of legal and business complexities. Known for his strategic insight and risk mitigation expertise, he deftly guides clients through litigation, cybersecurity compliance, incident response protocols, and more, achieving exceptional outcomes in challenging circumstances.
Innovative Litigator:
Craig’s legal approach is a mix of deep knowledge and innovative strategy. He has successfully secured directed verdicts, resolved multimillion-dollar disputes in favor of his clients, and shielded companies from costly data breach claims, saving them six- and seven-figure sums. His dedication to mastering complex motions and trial work sets him apart in the courtroom.
Tech-Savvy Legal Strategist:
Drawing from a tech background, Craig leverages a unique perspective in cases involving data privacy, network communications, and cybersecurity. He stays ahead of evolving data protection regulations (CCPA, GDPR, HIPPA, etc.), implementing proactive solutions that help clients maintain compliance and mitigate cyber risks. In today’s digital era, Craig’s technology expertise is a rare asset, empowering clients to face emerging threats with confidence.
Dynamic Client Advocate:
For Craig, each client’s case is unique, and his tailored approach to litigation ensures that every case strategy aligns with the client’s business objectives. Whether representing individuals or corporations, Craig delivers clear, actionable insights that allow clients to make informed decisions—transforming complex legal issues into achievable business solutions.
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.
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.
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.
