Introducing Anaili Triana

Anaili Triana
Anaili Triana

Anaili is a South Florida native, born and raised in Miami, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2010 and her Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in 2015. While attending law school, Anaili served as a Senior Associate for the Nova Law Review and was an active member of the Nova Trial Association.  She also earned a spot on the Dean’s List for 3 consecutive years and received 2 CALI Book Awards in recognition of receiving the highest scores in Torts and in Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiations.

Prior to joining the firm, Anaili gained significant and fundamental experience in first-party property in one of the top defense firms in Florida. While there she defended numerous insurance carriers throughout the state of Florida for 2 and a half years. She then shifted her focus to Plaintiff’s first party property cases where she represents insureds who have been victims of wrongful claim denial, delay and underpayment by their insurance carriers.

Anaili is licensed to practice law in all Florida State Courts and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Introducing: Shawntozi Campbell

Shawntozi Campbell, Esq.
Shawntozi Campbel

Shawntozi Campbell, Esq. is a licensed Florida Attorney with proficiency in contract disputes, foreclosure defense, personal injury and employment discrimination. A South Florida native, Ms. Campbell, as a first generation college student, graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2009 where she received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude in Criminal Justice. Ms. Campbell was then accepted into St. Thomas University’s School of Law. During her time in law school, as a member of the University’s Immigration Clinic, Ms. Campbell was afforded the opportunity to represent non-citizens pro bono in their pursuit of asylum in the United States. Garnering inclusion on the Dean’s List every semester, in 2011, Ms. Campbell graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University.

Upon graduation, Shawntozi gained invaluable legal experience at several law firms practicing an array of legal matters. It was during this time that Ms. Campbell decided to continue her education by pursing her doctorate in Criminal Justice Organization and Management from Nova Southeastern University. While enrolled in the PhD program, Shawntozi was a full-time educator of Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Business Law at several universities. By May 2019, Shawntozi completed her dissertation on the first study to explore the current prevalence of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation in Florida after the US legalization of same-sex marriages.

Since graduating with her PhD, Ms. Campbell has returned to the legal field and joined The Mineo Salcedo Law Firm where she fights for the rights of homeowners throughout the State.

Julie C. Collange

The Mineo Salcedo Law Firm - Property Claim Lawyers
Email: JCollange@mineolaw.com

Julie C. Collange’s focus is in the area of Plaintiff’s First Party Property Damage cases, where she represents property owners against insurance companies who have wrongfully denied, delayed, or underpaid their insurance claims.

Julie attended Lynn University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, specializing in International Business and attended Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Juris Doctorate degree in law.

While attending law school, Julie earned her certification as a Guardian ad Litem to advocate on behalf of children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. In addition, she gained Florida Bar approval as a Certified Legal Intern to represent individuals under the Children and Families Clinic in partnership with the Broward Legal Aid Society. Through these programs Julie gained valuable experience handling a variety of legal issues and developed a passion for helping those in need.

Julie is admitted to practice law in the state of Florida and is currently a member of the Florida Bar and Broward County Bar Association.

Julie is fluent in French.

Introducing: Julie C. Collange

Julie C. Collange’s focus is in the area of Plaintiff’s First Party Property Damage cases, where she represents property owners against insurance companies who have wrongfully denied, delayed, or underpaid their insurance claims.

Julie attended Lynn University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, specializing in International Business and attended Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Juris Doctorate degree in law.

While attending law school, Julie earned her certification as a Guardian ad Litem to advocate on behalf of children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. In addition, she gained Florida Bar approval as a Certified Legal Intern to represent individuals under the Children and Families Clinic in partnership with the Broward Legal Aid Society. Through these programs Julie gained valuable experience handling a variety of legal issues and developed a passion for helping those in need.

Julie is admitted to practice law in the state of Florida and is currently a member of the Florida Bar and Broward County Bar Association.

Julie is fluent in French.

Introducing: Stefan K. Williamson

Stefan K. Williamson
Stefan K. Williamson

Originally a native of Jamaica, Stefan has spent the latter half of his life in South Florida.  Though, he has been litigating cases from the panhandle down to Key West his entire career.  Stefan appreciates the different perspectives and variables at play, enabling him to fine-tune an approach catered to his clients’ needs.

Prior to joining the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm, Stefan practiced with several regional law firms representing large financial institutions, insurance companies and other businesses in State and Federal courts.  With the knowledge and insight gained working for institutional clients, Stefan now devotes his practice to protecting the rights of policyholders and service providers in underpaid or denied claims, as well as other general civil litigation matters.

Stefan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, summa cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University.  He then obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from Florida International University College of Law, receiving high regards in legal research and writing.  While in law school, Stefan devoted hundreds of hours through Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Feeding South Florida, and HandsOn Broward, amongst others; an investment in the community he continues to date.

Stefan is licensed to practice law in all Florida State courts, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

In his off time, you may find Stefan exploring South Florida with his family, mountain biking, or tackling another home project.

Introducing: Stefan K. Williamson

Stefan K. Williamson
Stefan K. Williamson

Originally a native of Jamaica, Stefan has spent the latter half of his life in South Florida.  Though, he has been litigating cases from the panhandle down to Key West his entire career.  Stefan appreciates the different perspectives and variables at play, enabling him to fine-tune an approach catered to his clients’ needs.

Prior to joining the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm, Stefan practiced with several regional law firms representing large financial institutions, insurance companies and other businesses in State and Federal courts.  With the knowledge and insight gained working for institutional clients, Stefan now devotes his practice to protecting the rights of policyholders and service providers in underpaid or denied claims, as well as other general civil litigation matters.

Stefan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, summa cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University.  He then obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from Florida International University College of Law, receiving high regards in legal research and writing.  While in law school, Stefan devoted hundreds of hours through Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Feeding South Florida, and HandsOn Broward, amongst others; an investment in the community he continues to date.

Stefan is licensed to practice law in all Florida State courts, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

In his off time, you may find Stefan exploring South Florida with his family, mountain biking, or tackling another home project.

Citizens v Mendoza

On July 5, 2018 the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed a judgment entered at trial in favor of the insureds, Risbel Mendoza and Vicente Jubes.  The case involved a homeowner’s claim for water damages resulting from a water heater leak.  The insurance company, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, denied the claim, asserting that the damage fell under the policy’s constant or repeated seepage or leakage exclusion.

According to the policy:

Constant or repeated seepage or leakage of water or steam, or the presence or condensation of humidity, moisture or vapor; which occurs over a period of time, whether hidden or not and results in damage such as wet or dry rot, “fungi,” deterioration, rust, decay or other corrosion.

At the trial, the attorney for the homeowners argued that Citizens picked the wrong exclusion to deny the claim and that it should have picked a “more specific” exclusion over the “more general” exclusion, and therefore the insurance company violated its duty to adjust.

Additionally, the insureds complained about how the adjuster from Citizens denied the claim, asserting that it was a “violation of the ethical responsibilities.  It is a violation of the ethical – of the adjuster’s law.  It is a violation of the contract itself where it says, we will adjust all losses.”

The jury found that Citizens did not properly exclude the claim from coverage and awarded the homeowners $22,000 in damages.

The appellate court reversed, finding that the jury instructions focused on whether the adjuster properly investigated or properly adjusted the claim and whether Citizens violated a code of ethics.  While such considerations may be appropriate in a bad faith case, they have no place in a simple breach of contract action.  See Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp. v. Calonge, 43 Fla. L. Weekly D855b (Fla. 3d DCA Apr. 18, 2018).  The homeowners were free to criticize Citizens’ adjuster’s conclusions without arguing that he breached a duty or obligation to them.

Download Citizens v. Mendoza (duty to adjust) PDF

Lance B. Stephan

The Mineo Salcedo Law Firm - Property Claim Lawyers
Email: LStephan@mineolaw.com

Lance B. Stephan is an experienced civil litigator. Mr. Stephan primarily represents homeowners in legal disputes with their insurance carriers. Prior to joining the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm, Mr. Stephan was Associate General Counsel to Florida’s largest homeowners’ insurance company. Mr. Stephan also previously worked as an associate attorney for a well-known Miami law firm, where he represented a number of insurance carriers throughout Florida.

Mr. Stephan completed earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Florida State University and graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, he was a judicial intern for Justice Barbara J. Pariente, at the Florida Supreme Court. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Mr. Stephan is a member of the Florida Bar.

Introducing: Lance B. Stephan

Lance B. Stephan

Lance B. Stephan is an experienced civil litigator. Mr. Stephan primarily represents homeowners in legal disputes with their insurance carriers. Prior to joining the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm, Mr. Stephan was Associate General Counsel to Florida’s largest homeowners’ insurance company. Mr. Stephan also previously worked as an associate attorney for a well-known Miami law firm, where he represented a number of insurance carriers throughout Florida.

Mr. Stephan completed earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Florida State University and graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, he was a judicial intern for Justice Barbara J. Pariente, at the Florida Supreme Court. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Mr. Stephan is a member of the Florida Bar.

Patricia Sierra

Email: PSierra@mineolaw.com

Prior to joining the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm and representing plaintiffs in insurance-related disputes, Patricia had years of experience in insurance litigation in both first–party and third-party insurance defense litigation, including non-binding arbitration proceedings and other means of alternative dispute resolution.

Before entering private practice, Patricia served for three years as law clerk and trial court staff attorney at the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida, in and for Marion County, Florida. Patricia assisted Judge Frances S. King, Judge Steven G. Rogers, and Judge Lisa Herndon on civil matters ranging from contract disputes, negligence actions, to probate matters. She also assisted the circuit court appeals panel, in addressing civil appeals of county court decisions.

Patricia is a long-time resident of South Florida, having received her Bachelor of Science degree from Barry University and is a graduate of the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law.

Patricia is fluent in Spanish and is a member of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.