JENNIFER L. HEATH
Tampa,FL
Summary
Highly skilled and detail-oriented Insurance Litigation and Appellate Attorney with 10 years Litigation Experience, 8+ years Insurance Law & Insurance Litigation experience, including:
- PIP Defense
- Plaintiff's PIP Litigation and Pre-Suit
- In-House Senior Personal Injury Trial Counsel for Fortune 100 Insurance Corporation (Allstate)
- Personal Injury Plaintiff's Litigation
- First-Party Property Litigation
- Third-Party Property Litigation
- Appellate Attorney for Insurance Rulings
- Appellate Attorney for PIP, Personal Injury, First-Party Property, and Third-Party Property, with Co-Counsel Brigid F. Cech Samole, Esq., of the Miami Appeals Practice Group for Greenberg Traurig, LLP
- Trial Attorney
- First Chair Experience
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Appellate Associate
Shield Law Group
06.2023 - Current
- Managing time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines;
- Successfully working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment;
- Working flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts (220 + billable hours per month);
- Working independently and collaboratively in a team environment to prepare Appellate Briefs for cases lost by firm;
- Utilizing critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions regarding losses and appellate litigation;
- Participating in executive projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively with upper management.
- Utilizing ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
Litigation Associate
Shield Law Group
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Litigation Attorney for Plaintiff’s First-Party and Third-Party Property and Bodily Injury Firm
- Wrote and oversaw Implementation of new best-practices and training manuals for all Associate Attorneys of firm;
- Responsible for developing and leading a Bodily Injury Pre-Litigation practice group;
- Presented key evidence and exhibits during civil trials.
- Participated in weekly Loss Meetings and post-meeting analysis with firm executives.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings on behalf of clients.
- Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel.
- Developed strategies for court proceedings and negotiations implemented firm-wide.
- Researched, wrote and filed motions, writs and briefs for each case assigned to Litigation Department.
- Reviewed and analyzed pertinent state and federal laws and legal precedents to provide summaries to Firm Owner.
- Represented clients in court hearings; argued diapositive motions and trial motions.
- Deposed Engineers, Claims Adjusters, Corporate Representatives, and Expert Scientists.
Founding Partner
Heath Legal, LLC
09.2020 - 08.2022
- General Counsel per contract for local businesses engaged mainly in Insurance Litigation pertaining to First-Party Property Claims, Third-Party Property Claims, and Personal Injury Claims.
- Of Counsel per contract for local law firms in Contract Law, Business Law, Regulatory Law; Consumer Law, Collection Law, and Insurance Law practice areas;
- Litigated Collection actions, Complex Business Litigation suits; Consumer Protection Litigation; performed Insurance Contract analysis and Litigated Insurance Law claims for Clients;
- Developed litigation plans, negotiated settlements, conducted depositions, attended mediations, argued pre-trial motions, and acted as first chair for trials; issued legal guidance, practical law analysis;
- Handed cases from inception through resolution in addition to handling and resolving distressed cases;
- Communicating effectively;
- Minimizing Liability;
- Legitimizing businesses and developing asset-protection plans;
- Training corporate clients’ support staff regarding procedures in practice areas foreign to Client-Firm.
- Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct Client-Firm focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability within Heath Legal, LLC.
- Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Drove strategic improvements for Client-Firms to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Researched and resolved areas of concern for potential and existing clients of Client-Firms;
- Served as point-of-contact for potential and existing Homeowners insurance clients.
- Contact with insurance carriers, their agents and supervisors to discuss policies and individual client benefits.
- Calculated adjustments, premiums and refunds to ensure Insurance Company compliance.
- Notified insurance agents and accounting departments of policy cancellations and changes on behalf of clients.
Senior Trial Attorney
Allstate Insurance Companies
12.2019 - 08.2020
- Defending Fortune 100 corporation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, shareholders, and corporate and individual clients involving Personal Injury Claims and Litigation of same;
- Defended Insurance Company's subsidiaries against claims of negligence, claim liability, and policy interpretation to effectively minimize corporate liability;
- Developing litigation plans, negotiating settlements, conducting depositions, attending mediations, arguing pre-trial motions, and sitting for trials; handling cases from inception through resolution and resolving distressed cases;
- Communicated effectively with clients and working side-by-side with insurance claim adjusters;
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Managed team of support staff by way of positive reinforcement;
- Used time management skills to maintain proactive status of large load of cases set for trial
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Associate Attorney
Kass Shuler
12.2018 - 12.2019
- Representing corporations, local businesses, and individuals in collection, fraud, and civil theft suits, alleged violations of federal and state financial laws (FCCPA, FDCPA, TCPA; RESPA; Regulation Z; the Dodd-Frank Act);
- Maintaining knowledge of individual status of large case load; Attended 550 collection-related hearings in the 2019 fiscal year in addition to other responsibilities (545-5 record) monitored by Firm report;
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with corporate clients;
- Analyzed individual/ corporate financial records, insurance documents, police reports, billing statements, fraud reports, and official records related to consumers;
- Drafted original pleadings and motions pertaining to distinct legal issues for future firm-wide use;
- Resignation due to recruitment by Allstate Insurance Company.
Associate Attorney, Client Services & Appeals
FL Legal Group
03.2017 - 12.2018
- Representing medial facility clients in multi-party/multi-claim complex business litigation as courtesy provided by firm;
- Representing financial institutions, loan servicers, investment companies, and individuals in contested/uncontested foreclosure actions and proceedings in federal court on behalf of medical facility client representatives;
- Representing condominium and homeowners’ associations in lien foreclosures and actions to enforce covenants on behalf of medical facility client representatives;
- Preparing appellate brief/appellate motions to be argued by appellate Co-Counsel, Brigid Cech Samole, Greenberg Traurig's Miami Appeals Shareholder.
- Resolved post-judgment litigation settlements and default judgment orders in favor of clients.
- Built client relationships by responding to inquiries, identifying and assessing clients' needs, resolving problems, and following up with potential and existing clients;
- Analyzing financial records, insurance correspondence, policies and claims, in addition to client property records, and medical records.
- Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationships for future business opportunities.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases.
- Drafted Appellate documents on clients' behalf by balancing objectives and legal requirements and prohibitions.
PIP & Bodily Injury Associate Attorney
FL Legal Group
09.2016 - 05.2017
- Representing medical facilities in breach of contract and Florida No Fault Act litigation.
- Negotiating settlements; taking/defending depositions; attending mediations.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Acquired intimate familiarity with medical billing laws and medical terminology.
- Interpreting insurance laws and insurance contracts.
- Provided legal advice to businesses involved in multiple types of litigation.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
- Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
- Managedextensive team of personal support staff;
- Met weekly settlement quotas ($10,000 + in AFC per week).
Insurance Associate
Oxendine & Oxendine
07.2015 - 06.2016
- Defended State Farm Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates in Florida No Fault Act (PIP) Litigation;
- Developed litigation plans, taking and defending depositions, and negotiating settlements;
- Met strict monthly billing quota of 250 hours per month without fail.
- Maintained strong knowledge of basic medical terminology to better understand services and procedures.
- Verified client information by analyzing existing evidence on file.
- Calculated adjustments, premiums and refunds.
- Communicated status updates with State Farm's claims department to facilitate decision-making for claimant insurance coverage.
Associate Attorney
MORRIS | SCHNEIDER | WITTSTADT
08.2013 - 07.2014
- Representing corporations, local businesses, and individuals in foreclosure actions;
- Litigating dispositive foreclosure motions and negotiating settlements in lieu of foreclosure.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Identified legal issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Gained extensive knowledge in Insurance Litigation.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Education
J.D. - General Law
Saint Thomas University
Opa-locka, FL05.2012
Bachelor of Science - American Law
Towson University
Baltimore, MD05.2009
Insurance Claims Adjusting
Florida Insurance College
Winter Haven, FL06.2023
Professional Certification - Successful Negotiation Strategies
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI08.2023
Skills
- Property Insurance Law
- Personal Injury Law
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Law
- Insurance Coverage Review
- Insurance Practices
- Legal Codes
- Preparing Memoranda
- Claims Information Gathering
- Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Persuasive Negotiations
- Insurance Eligibility
Additional Information
Seeking Partially Remote Position (Hybrid) or Remote Position
First Chair Trial Experience
ACA Designation
Upper Management Experience
Timeline
Sr. Appellate Associate
Shield Law Group
06.2023 - Current
Litigation Associate
Shield Law Group
08.2022 - 06.2023
Founding Partner
Heath Legal, LLC
09.2020 - 08.2022
Senior Trial Attorney
Allstate Insurance Companies
12.2019 - 08.2020
Associate Attorney
Kass Shuler
12.2018 - 12.2019
Associate Attorney, Client Services & Appeals
FL Legal Group
03.2017 - 12.2018
PIP & Bodily Injury Associate Attorney
FL Legal Group
09.2016 - 05.2017
Insurance Associate
Oxendine & Oxendine
07.2015 - 06.2016
Associate Attorney
MORRIS | SCHNEIDER | WITTSTADT
08.2013 - 07.2014
J.D. - General Law
Saint Thomas University
Bachelor of Science - American Law
Towson University
Insurance Claims Adjusting
Florida Insurance College
Professional Certification - Successful Negotiation Strategies
University of Michigan
Veterans Outreach Court
2018 - Present
Committee Member, Fundraising
Responsible for funding entire court program as the only private attorney on the Planning Committee for the Annual Veterans Outreach Court (as seen on TV and in the Florida Bar)
Veterans Outreach Court
2018 - Present
Committee Member, Fundraising
Responsible for funding entire court program as the only private attorney on the Planning Committee for the Annual Veterans Outreach Court (as seen on TV and in the Florida Bar)
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