E1: Three Traps That Blindside Smart Policyholders
In this inaugural episode, host David Scheidemantle, president of Scheidemantle Law Group, introduces the podcast and his practice representing insurance policyholders in coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and duty-to-defend and duty-to-indemnify matters. He shares his background as a Juilliard-trained violinist and draws a connection between the discipline of music and the craft of coverage law. David covers the first three of six recurring traps that catch even sophisticated policyholders off guard: ➔ Failing to read the policy ➔ Giving short shrift to the insurance application ➔ Seeking legal advice from a broker instead of an attorney The episode closes with a story about violist William Primrose and Dr. Shinichi Suzuki that reflects David's approach to teaching and practicing law. Coming Up Next: Episode 2 covers three more traps: ➔ Treating insurance like a commodity ➔ Assuming the insurance company is on your side ➔ Taking the insurance company's word for it About David Scheidemantle: David Scheidemantle is President and Managing Partner of Scheidemantle Law Group P.C., where he has represented policyholders in disputes with insurance companies for 35 years. His practice spans property, environmental, wrongful death, toxic injury, cyber, professional liability, D&O, products liability, and construction defect and builders risk coverage. He has achieved insurance recoveries exceeding $350 million for policyholders and won complete victories for defendants in construction product claims totaling $7 billion in damages, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Scheidemantle Law Group has offices in Pasadena and New York City. Before founding the firm, David was an equity partner at Proskauer Rose LLP. He graduated cum laude from Fordham Law School and clerked for judges on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. David holds a Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School, where he was Concertmaster of the Juilliard Symphony, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and on Broadway. Official Website: Scheidemantle Law Group
