Tollefson Bradley Mitchell & Melendi, LLP

Firm Details:

Number of partners: 9

Number of lawyers: 16

Languages: English, Spanish

Firm Overview:

Tollefson Bradley Mitchell & Melendi was founded in 2006 to focus on insurance law. The firm concentrates on providing advice and representation in coverage and extracontractual disputes including property, liability and professional coverage under personal and commercial lines, disputes under directors and officers coverage, and disputes among insurers. The firm’s practice includes pre-litigation investigation and evaluation, litigation and appeals. Partners of the firm are also engaged as mediators and arbitrators in coverage disputes. In addition to handling matters throughout the state of Texas, or where a Texas coverage issue is implicated, the firm has lawyers licensed in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and California. The firm also handles appeals in insurance matters, and firm lawyers are admitted in the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh United States Courts of Appeal. The firm is committed to fostering a deeper understanding of insurance issues. The firm’s members are involved in training and continuing education and actively participate in organizations dedicated to insurance-related issues at a state and national level. The firm and individual members have received recognition in the industry and among their peers for proficiency in insurance law.

Main Areas of Practice:

Commercial Liability:

The firm provides coverage advice and representation in coverage litigation regarding disputes under primary and excess policies including general liability, commercial auto, trucking and garage policies, as well as under Owner or Contractor Controlled Insurance Programs. The areas of coverage in which the firm is routinely involved include construction defects, intellectual property disputes, oilfield and energy accidents, employee injuries, pollution liability, premises liability and dram shop claims. The firm also represents insurers in primary/excess disputes and in allocation disputes and other litigation among insurers.

Commercial Property:

The firm assists in the investigation and evaluation of losses under primary and excess policies providing commercial property and business interruption coverage, as well as representation in litigation of contractual and extracontractual claims. The firm routinely handles claims arising from hurricanes and other catastrophes, other weather events, theft and fire, including suspected arson or fraud. The representation often begins at the investigative stage, including examinations under oath, and continues through the litigation or appraisal process.

Professional Liability:

The firm provides coverage advice and representation in regard to professional liability coverages, including legal professional, architects and engineers, medical, real estate errors and omissions, agent’s errors and omissions, and miscellaneous professional liability. Personal Lines: The firm provides representation and counsel in claims investigation and coverage and bad faith litigation arising from homeowners and personal auto policies, including uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, catastrophes and other weather- related claims. The firm also represents insurers investigating and pursuing fraudulent insurance claims.

Dispute Resolution:

John Tollefson and Beth Bradley, partners of the firm, mediate insurance disputes involving property and liability coverage and have acted as arbitrators in disputes involving commercial liability coverage.

Appeals:

The firm continues its representation when a case is appealed, or is retained to assist with appeals of cases handled by other firms.

Representative Clients:

Argo Group; EMC Insurance Companies; Starr Companies; Navigators; USAA; Amtrust Group; Columbia Insurance Group

Contact:

Stephen Melendi

Tel: 214 665 0103

Email: [email protected]