The Third district permitted the insured to challenge this order immediately under a writ of certiorari because there would be no way to determine whether a withheld document supported or contradicted the testimony or whether any error effected the insured’s ability to cross-examine the witness
Firm News
Dutton Law Group to Sponsor and Speak at 2024 FIFEC Conference
Posted May 23, 2024
Dutton Law Group is pleased to be both a sponsor and speaker at the 2024 annual conference of the Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC), which will be held in Orlando on Wednesday June 26 through Friday, June 28, 2024.
Continuing in its role as an annual sponsor, this year Dutton Law Group will serve as the FIFEC Website and Conference Wi-Fi Sponsor. The firm is featured on the home page of the conference website at https://www.fifec.org/. It will also be recognized while providing Wi-Fi inside the convention center to conference attendees.
The firm’s commitment to client education is demonstrated by the four FIFEC presentations that will be given by Dutton Law Group attorneys. Please plan to join us at one of the sessions listed below.
In the Wake of a Water Loss: Strategies for Accurate Damage Evaluation and Coverage Decisions
Presented by Scott Dutton with Jeremy Beagle, Senior Principal Scientist, SDII Global
Class #120, Wednesday, June 26, 1:30 to 3:20 p.m.
Current Issues and Trends in Florida Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Law
Presented by Scott Dutton, James C. Rinaman, III and Retta Rico.
Class #220, Wednesday, June 26, 3:40 to 5:20 p.m.
Charting the Course: Now is the Time for Claims Departments, Claims Adjusters, and Attorneys to Reimagine the Handling of PIP Claims and Litigation
Presented by Maria Pace
Class #460, Thursday, June 27, 10:10 a.m. to Noon
Mastering Examinations Under Oath in First-Party Property Loss Claims
Presented by Scott Dutton and Richard R. Phelps.
Class #630, Thursday, June 27, 3:40 to 5:30 p.m.
Meet Our Presenting Attorneys
Scott W. Dutton
Civil Trial Attorney, Tampa Office
(813) 247-2222 –
Scott Dutton founded the firm in September 2001 and has overseen its growth to 20+ attorneys serving clients from seven offices across the state of Florida. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice by The Florida Bar, a designation he has maintained since 1992. Mr. Dutton handles matters involving appellate law, bad faith claims, casualty insurance defense, fraud & SIU, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and products liability. View bio …
Maria Pace
Civil Trial Attorney, Orlando Office
(407) 774-7027 –
Maria Pace began her legal career in one of Florida’s Public Defender Offices, where she served as Felony Division Chief and tried numerous homicide cases before leaving to pursue a career in civil litigation. Ms. Pace has defended numerous insurance carriers across the State of Florida, including in the County and Circuit Courts of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Collier, Lee, Orange and Hillsborough. Over the course of her career, she has tried nearly 100 jury trials to verdict. View bio …
Richard R. Phelps
Civil Trial Attorney, Orlando Office
(407) 774-7027 –
Richard Phelps practices in the areas of complex commercial litigation, general litigation, first and third party property, and business disputes. He is also experienced in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, automobile accidents, and homeowners’ claims. He worked as a claims adjuster for two major automobile insurance carriers before attending law school at the Florida A&M College of Law. View bio …
Retta Rico
Civil Trial Attorney, Fort Lauderdale Office
(954) 773-8312 –
Retta Rico focuses on litigating auto-related Personal Injury Protection cases and homeowner’s insurance claims. Ms. Rico began her legal career with a West Virginia personal injury law firm at the age of 15, where she assisted attorneys and paralegals with trial preparation. By the time she had completed her undergraduate degree, she had been promoted to lead paralegal in a major toxic tort case involving over 200 plaintiffs. View bio …
James C. Rinaman, III
Civil Trial Attorney, Jacksonville Office
(904) 421-6900 –
James Rinaman has frequently lectured on many topics related to PIP and Medical Claims Fraud for the Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (2005-2016) and the Florida Claims Defense Network. He has tried jury trials in both the Circuit and County Courts throughout North Florida and handles primarily medical claims (No-fault), auto, truck, marine liability, premises liability, as well as SIU matters. In addition to being admitted to the Florida Bar, Mr. Rinaman has also practiced and been admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Mr. Rinaman served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Corps from 1990-1996 after graduating from law school. View bio …
