Property Practice

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 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.
Mr. Darmanin is Of Counsel based in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Darmanin's practice primarily includes first- and third-party property claims, including bad faith litigation, and spans across various types of property claims.

Troy Darmanin

Of Counsel

Giulia Bollini is an associate with the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Bollini received her Juris Doctor degree from Roma Tre Law School, in Rome, Italy. As part of the Italy-U.S. dual degree program, she then graduated summa cum laude from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law.
Katherine F. Gora is a Senior Associate at the firm’s Miami office, and concentrates her practice in property insurance litigation.

Katherine F. Gora

Senior Associate

Nieves is Of Counsel at the firm's Miami office where her primary practice is property insurance litigation. Nieves has years of litigation experience representing insurance carriers in first party property and bad faith claims.

Johana E. Nieves

Of Counsel

Christopher Lutzel is an associate at the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Lutzel concentrates his practice in Commercial and Homeowner’s First-Party Disputes, with an emphasis on Property Practice, Insurance Coverage and Extra-Contractual Litigation.
Jason Gutknecht is an Associate at the firm’s Miami office.  Mr. Gutknecht concentrates his practice in first-party property defense litigation, with an emphasis in bad faith litigation, fraud investigation, water damage claims, and windstorm coverage issues.
Erik J. Gruber is a Partner at the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Gruber concentrates his practice in first-party property defense litigation, with an emphasis in bad faith litigation, fraud investigation, water damage claims, and windstorm coverage issues.