David B. Levin

Secured a dismissal with prejudice in federal court on an assignment of benefits lawsuit, successfully arguing that the subject policy's anti-assignment provision was valid and enforceable. This is a significant ruling in view of Florida's long-standing common law prohibition on restricting post-loss insurance benefits. The court held that the carrier's status as a surplus carrier, coupled with recent legislative changes indicating an intent to abrogate Florida common law, rendered the assignment of benefits ineffective.

Obtained a significant order granting summary judgment in favor of a property carrier, finding that the insured's eleventh hour attempt to satisfy Florida's supplemental claims statute by providing a "notice of intent to seek additional proceeds" was insufficient. This ruling prevented the carrier from being exposed to an appraisal where damages could have exceeded $3 million dollars.

Received a complete defense verdict following a five-day jury trial on behalf of two insured business owners accused of negligence in the installation of a granite monument.

Awarded a summary judgment in federal court to the carrier's affirmative defenses to the insured's lawsuit for breach of contract, and to carrier's counterclaim for declaratory relief, following denial of an insurance claim resulting from a total fire loss to a residential property insured under a commercial policy. The federal court ruled that the carrier's interpretation of the policy's safeguard protection endorsement was correct, and that the insured was required to have multiple fire extinguishers at the loss location in order to satisfy the policy's terms and maintain coverage for the claimed loss.

Obtained a defense verdict for property insurer following a five-day jury trial in claim involving denial of coverage for storm damage.

Procured voluntary payment from insured and its counsel for pursuing a frivolous claim seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace cast-iron piping throughout the home.

Secured voluntary dismissal of multiple lawsuits after vigorous defense of questionable claims against a carrier.

After establishing speculative value of the injured party's claim, expeditiously resolved a personal injury claim for an insurer prior to litigation for a fraction of the future defense costs.

Following substantial discovery and investigation, resolved a premises liability action against a property owner for nuisance value after establishing the viable existence of legal defense.

Received a favorable ruling for a surplus lines carrier, defeating insured's claim that carrier wrongfully refused to participate in appraisal.

Retained to represent a client facing a bad faith attorneys' fee award in a dispute over the appraisal of a commercial property loss; persuaded the trial court to reverse its ruling, vacate the attorneys' fee award, and dismiss the case outright.

Following an aggressive defense, settled numerous claims that had been removed to federal court for nuisance value payments, saving carrier substantial amounts of defense costs.

Acted as third-party claims administrator and resolved several hundred title claims for a large national title insurance underwriter.

Defended a products manufacturer in numerous lawsuits throughout Florida involving alleged defective products or breach of warranties.

Negotiated the full release in favor of an auto insurer in pre-litigation mediation, paying a fraction of the injured party's demand and securing a contribution from a third-party involved in the accident.

Secured the dismissal of a time-barred personal injury claim for a large motor-carrier client.

Obtained a jury verdict awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and costs in favor of a national title insurance underwriter in dispute with its insured owner over termination and withdrawal of insurance coverage.

Defeated a homeowner's claim that the client breached its duty to procure mortgage insurance.

On behalf of an insurer, settled dozens of Hurricane Irma- and Michael-related property damage lawsuits, securing the full releases for the insurer and avoiding bad faith claims.

Awarded final summary judgment defeating insured's claim for breach of a homeowner's policy following carrier's denial of a windstorm claim, which was based on a post-policy endorsement excluding roof-related damages. The court agreed that statutory notice required for policy renewals did not apply to an original issued policy, did not apply to a surplus lines carrier, and did not require premium refund to be effective.

Successfully argued for dismissal of a roofing contractor's breach of contract claim, with the court finding that the contractor's assignment did not comply with several requirements of Florida Statute 627.7152, and that the assignment violated the policy's anti-assignment clause.

Awarded final summary judgment in a state court breach of contract claim where the court ruled that a breach of contract was not supported by the undisputed evidence and specific contract language at issue.

Awarded final summary judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida in client's favor where the court agreed that a breach of contract was not supported by the undisputed evidence and specific contract language at issue.

Secured a dismissal with prejudice of a lawsuit filed by a water mitigation vendor, with the court finding that the subject insurance policy's anti-assignment provision was enforceable, which also led to an award of entitlement to attorney's fees to our client.

Obtained a bench trial judgment in favor of a private lender over commercial property located on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.

Foreclosed several commercial properties for an institutional lender against common borrower.

Negotiated release of Receiver's Lien over commercial property in foreclosure.

Recovered substantial sums owed to an institutional lender on numerous delinquent loan accounts. Recovery was obtained through settlement, post-judgment garnishment, or other execution.

Successfully recovered tax deed surplus funds that had been absconded with by a court-appointed Receiver.

Awarded the entire portion of condemnation proceeds, plus attorney's fees, for secured lender in an eminent domain case.

Salvaged a commercial real estate sale through aggressive negotiation and avoided costs to defend a multi-count complaint alleging fraud against a client.

Defended a property owner against a wrongful multi-million dollar foreclosure by an aggrieved private lender.

Defended a homeowner in a specific performance trial, defeating claims by the buyer that seller-client breached by failing to terminate a low-income housing deed restriction.

Defended a mortgage holder in a quiet title action involving allegations of fraud and wrongdoing relating to a Miami Beach home valued in excess of $1 million. Obtained judgment in the client's favor after a non-jury trial, which permitted the holder to foreclose its mortgage in a first lien position.

Reached a successful settlement following a week-long jury trial on behalf of the purchaser of a multi-million dollar property on Star Island in Miami Beach.

Qualified by a Broward County Circuit Court Judge as an expert for the purpose of opining on the reasonable amount of hours spent and the reasonable hourly rate charged in a lawsuit involving a real property dispute.

Obtained a summary judgment defeating borrowers' counterclaim of criminal usury against an out-of-state lender and later foreclosure judgments overcoming similar usury-based defenses.

Obtained a dismissal with prejudice of borrower's counterclaim alleging violation of the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act.

Resolved a complex title dispute that jeopardized a client's lien position on a foreclosed property within 48 hours of retention as counsel.