Advocacy

NOTE: Johnson Strategies has published articles and opinions regarding Public Adjusters acting as “disinterested” parties under the appraisal provision in most property policies.  Foundation was provided by two actions from State Farm one of which has been certified to Florida’s Supreme Court.  Please read Public Adjusters as Appraisers—How interested are the disinterested?  Another case, slightly different, has been filed on the same subject: State Farm vs. Jon Parrish; Case No. 2D19-130, 2^nd DCA, 1/6/2021.

We reached out to JS Contributor Barry Zalma for an analysis of this newest case and for his opinion on Public Adjusters acting as Appraisers. He brings a decidedly more academic and detailed legal approach to this important issue, but…reaches the same conclusion.  Feel free to distribute this article to others by clicking the appropriate icon below. [Read more…] about GUEST COLUMNIST—Barry Zalma, ESQ, CFE

For those who just joined you can review “Collapse of an Evil Empire” starting with PART I then  subsequent PARTS II thru VIII.

For now you need to know that Scot Strems is still fighting as hard as he can. Recall the recommendation by referee, Judge Dawn Denaro of the 11^th Circuit Court that, instead of permanent disbarment sought by the Florida Bar, Strems should serve only a two-year suspension followed by one-year of supervised probation. (See Note #1 below)

[Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART IX—Thumbs UP, Thumbs DOWN?

Tallahassee–Sans personal tragedies this inaugural 2021 posting comes on the heels of the worst year most of us can remember.  Ask anybody what they’d like to tell 2020 and the predominant response would be “Good Riddance!”  No need to belabor. [Read more…] about Goodbye Cruel Year

Florida’s property insurers are losing money like nowhere else in America—and lots of it. In 2019 the industry wide net underwriting loss was $701 million. Through the second quarter of 2020 another $501 million vanished.  That’s for one line of insurance in just one state.

Collectively the combined ratio year-end 2019 was 111%.  That deterioration persisted at least through 2^nd quarter 2020 at 129%. Every dollar coming in crosses path with $1.30 going out.  (See: The Troubled Florida Market) [Read more…] about Litigation Reality Check- “Stick & Carrot”

First timers to this series can catch up by scrolling down the home page to “Collapse of an Evil Empire! Part I” and continuing on to Part VII.

In Part VI, “The Sentence,” you’ll find reactions to the recommendation of referee, Judge Dawn Denaro, that Scot Strems should receive only a two year suspension of his license to practice law and one year of supervised probation. This, in lieu of permanent disbarment which many, including the Florida Bar, thought he deserved.

Regardless of any alleged light sentence, I said Strems troubles were far from over. [Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! Part VIII—Patterns of Deceit

Florida’s property market is in total free fall and there are only two culprits. One is something we can’t do anything about. The other is not only something we can do something about, it’s also something that makes the first one much worse.

The first culprit is reinsurance—it reimburses carriers for hurricane losses and can sometimes be as much as 60% of the total homeowners premium. The second culprit (the one that also makes reinsurance more costly) is frivolous, sometimes downright fraudulent litigation, proffered by a litany of complicit players, including public adjusters, roofers, rebuild contractors and dishonest attorneys. [Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART VII—Market Impact

Among those I’ve informally polled there’s a strong sense of disappointment, mixed with very little surprise that referee Dawn Denaro did not accede to the Florida Bar’s request to permanently disbar Scot Strems for his very bad behavior.  Instead she recommended that his license be suspended for two years, followed by one year of supervised probation.

Some have told me it could be a death sentence. Other’s called it a slap on the wrist.  I say… “Strems troubles are far from over!” [Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART VI—The Sentence

I’ve now listened to all eighteen plus hearings (or portions thereof) regarding the disbarment proceedings against Scot Strems. You can learn about this landmark case and my perspectives beginning with Part I here, Part II here, Part III here, Part IV here and Part IV ½  here.  (See NOTE #1 below)

According to the referee, Judge Dawn Denaro in her Oral Ruling on September 23^rd, The Florida Bar has proven that Scot Strems violated fourteen rules enumerated in The Bar’s June 5^th Petition For Emergency Suspension.  (See NOTE #2 below).

My layman’s view is that many key allegations are now facts, albeit those likely to be contested by the defendant–if not in a tribunal then certainly in his court of public opinion. My opinion, however, is this ugly saga has finally morphed from finger pointing to proven “contumacious” behavior.

Next up…sentencing.  [Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART V–Guilty as Charged!

Most of my subscribers know that Jeff Grady, President and CEO of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA), recently retired.  Deserved accolades have circulated; well-earned awards have been presented.

Listed below are some of Jeff’s accomplishments and recent acknowledgements–this, so you can know a little more of what FAIA’s volunteer leaders and myself know about his tenure at America’s best agents association. [Read more…] about Point of Personal Privilege–Jeff Grady’s Retirement

This is PART IV ½ because it falls about halfway between part IV and V—the latter is the next report regarding the Supreme Court trial of Scot Strems.  For those just joining read Part I here, Part II here, Part III here and Part IV here. [Read more…] about Collapse of an Evil Empire! PART IV ½–Update