Hal Weitzenfeld went to law school with his sights set on becoming a sports agent, but was more drawn to transactional work after graduating law school from the University of Florida. Today, he handles complex insurance coverage litigation, representing insurance companies involved in insurance coverage disputes.
“No matter what I chose to do,” Weitzenfeld remembers, “I knew a legal education would give me a great foundation in my chosen practice area.”
In 2008, he went to work for Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. having done a substantial amount of real estate transactional work. As the real estate market slowed, Weitzenfeld started taking on sinkhole cases and other property damage issues on behalf of insurance companies.
By 2010, Weitzenfeld proved adept at litigating cases on behalf of insurance companies and was named partner. He rose through the ranks quickly and continues to represent his clients with vigor, knowledge and works along side a solid team of lawyers to tackle the most complex insurance issues.
His primary caseload includes first-party property insurance claims, real estate and other general liability matters.
“The majority of my practice involves representing homeowner insurance carriers against lawsuits and claims brought directly by their insureds,” Weitzenfeld said. “Water damage, fire damage, theft, windstorm damage and sinkholes are the majority of the types of claims we see. I also investigate fraudulent insurance claims.”
With over 200 trial lawyers throughout Florida, the firm has multiple practice groups which handle everything from auto accidents to complex business litigation and professional liability. His practice group is comprised of over 30 coverage lawyers in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola and Naples who know how to effectively try a case in court; something Weitzenfeld says is rare.
“I truly believe my partners are the best lawyers in Florida, which makes my job easy,” Weitzenfeld said. “Richard Cole is the smartest businessman in Florida as far as I am concerned. The infrastructure he has built along with the lawyers he started the firm with and has added over the years is amazing. The co-managing partners of the Tampa office, Aram Megerian and Dan Shapiro are the best trial lawyers in Tampa in my opinion. We get the opportunity to create a lot of new law as sinkhole litigation is a relatively new phenomenon. I enjoy educating our clients and other lawyers on the constantly changing landscape of first party coverage law.”
Weitzenfeld is regularly sought out to present to insurance adjustors, claims managers and other attorneys at private and public events, including the Rimkus Consulting Group’s annual seminar in Pembroke Pines and its upcoming seminar in Tampa. He also advises property and casualty insurance carriers on changes to Florida law brought on by Senate Bill 408.
Outside of work he stays active in the community, serving on the executive board of the Bay Area Advisors, an exclusive networking and philanthropic organization with 13 members. Weitzenfeld helped the group donate $100,000 to the Advanced Prostate Cancer Collaboration at the group’s flagship event, Martinis for Moffitt at the Moffitt Cancer Center. The feat marked the largest donation in the five-year history of the event.
Weitzenfeld also enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa and eight-month-old daughter, Ivy.
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