Thomas Keller

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Insurance Summit discussed various reforms to consider during their special legislative session. Tampa Partner, Thomas Keller, is quoted in an article by the Insurance Journal, “plaintiffs attorneys who have made it a business practice to file frivolous lawsuits, knowing that an industry that measures risk is going to say it is a...

Join Partner Thomas Keller and co-presenters Bob Ritchie (American Integrity Insurance Company), Will Arnold (American Integrity Insurance Company), John Huff (Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers), and Wesley Todd (CaseGlide) as they present for the 2022 Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit. This event will take place from December 5-7, 2022 in Orlando, FL. To learn more about this ...

The last week of September, 2022, the State of Florida braced for what was categorized to be one of the worst storms to make landfall in U.S. history. Initially, all weather channels displayed the storm’s trajectory heading towards Tampa Bay. As the Buccaneers’ fans scurried to prepare for an avalanche of winds and rains, either by evacuating or hunkering down, Ian’s path unexpectedly shifte...

Our latest webinar series will inform you on issues that may arise during adjustment of Hurricane Ian claims. In the first part of this series, Partner Tom Keller and Senior Associate Derick Burke will address basic adjusting issues that may arise during adjustment of Ian property claims. The webinar will be good for catastrophe adjusters who may not be familiar with nuances and requirements in F...

Join Partner Thomas Keller as he participates in a panel presenting for the 2021 PLRB Large Loss Conference on October 27-29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. This session will address the different elements of the roof, exterior of the building (windows and doors) and breaking down the elements and how it affects the loss; evaluate when repair, removal, reinstallation of a new roof is required or appropr...

Join Partner Thomas Keller and co-presenter Gabrielle Mercadante (Robinson Cole) as they present "Insurance Coverage and COVID-19 Claims" for the 2021 FDLA Florida Insurance Network Symposium. This presentation will take place on August 13, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The panel will analyze the impact of COVID-19 on current litigation trends, specifically with regard to time-element coverages such as...

Monday, June 1st marks the start of the 2021 Hurricane season and will last until November 30th. While forecasts call for a normal hurricane season, keep this summer a safe and fun one for your family by staying informed and being prepared over the coming months. No matter what happens, Butler stands ready to assist you with all your hurricane claims. For any inquiries, contact Partner Thomas Kel...

This topic provided updated information on the repairability of roofs following a storm. We discussed construction issues, proper evaluation of damage, and legal issues facing the policyholder and insurers in the handling of roof claims. Statutory and legal changes that affect these issues, as well as testing and research issues that have been done recently which effect the proper evaluation of ro...

Butler is proud to sponsor the 2019 HCBA Diversity Committee's annual networking event. Partners William Linero, Jr., Thomas Keller and John Garaffa and Associates Abraham Shakfeh (as co-chair of the HCBA Diversity Committee), Liandra Izquierdo, Juliana Cortes and Suzanne DeCopain attended in support of connecting local law students with members of Tampa's legal organizations. The HCBA Diversi...

Partner Thomas Keller presented "Non-Binding Arbitration Strategies" at the PLRB Claims Conference & Insurance Services Expo in Indianapolis, IN on April 1—2, 2019. This presentation: Reviewed situation of court-ordered non-binding arbitration prior to trial Identified which claims may benefit from non-binding arbitration Evaluated strategies to prepare for a successful arbitration...

Thomas Keller presented "Can the Roof be Repaired?" at the 2019 Windstorm Insurance Conference in Orlando, FL on January 29, 2019. This presentation encompassed the issues facing insurers, policyholders, and contractors in the ability to repair a roof following storm damage....

Join Butler Partner, Thomas Keller, and co-presenter Andrew Deckert of American Strategic Insurance as they presented "Appraisal Clauses: A State-by-State Analysis" at the PLRB Claims Conference in Orlando on April 15th and 18th.  Their presentation included: Describe the appraisal provision and its general application Identify the potential pitfalls and "set-ups" that may be used by pub...

Every year, we are excited to sponsor the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Annual Diversity Networking Social. This HCBA Tampa Bay event allows us to meet up-and-coming law students and new lawyers with diverse backgrounds.  At Butler, we develop strong leaders who are active in their communities and dedicated to Service, Teamwork and Principles. Our attorneys are honored to make connecti...

Thomas Keller from Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig presented in Orlando, FL at the Windstorm Insurance Conference on the topic of "Filling Up on Florida Property Case Law". This interactive workshop addressed fact patterns contained in cases to generate discussion about how the audience feels the matter should be resolved and the panel will present the case and the holding. Interspersed in the prese...

Thomas A. Keller from Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig along with co-presenter Andrew Deckert, presented in Boston, MA at the PLRB Claims Conference on the topic of "Appraisal Clauses: A State-by-State Analysis" on March 27, 2017.  The speech focused on a description of the appraisal provision and its interpretation and use throughout the United States.  It compared how different jurisdictions i...

Tom Keller spoke at the 2016 Claims Conference & Insurance Services Expo on April 17 - 20, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. Tom's topic was “Appraisal Clauses: A State-by-State Analysis.”...

The firm is pleased to announce that Tom Keller has been selected to serve on the Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB) board for another term....

How can a first-party insurer be legally liable for insurance ‘‘bad faith'' if it has already been found not to be liable for breach of the insurance contract? According to at least one Florida appellate court, by paying an Appraisal Award timely. The Troubles Of Trafalgar: Bad Faith In the Absence Of Breach Of Contract...

Governor Crist vetoes revisions to condominium insurance statute. The recent legislative session passed Senate Bill 714 which sought to clarify the insuring responsibilities between the unit owner and the association. For reasons outlined in his letter of June 1, the Governor vetoed the measure. LINK TO ARTICLE...

A Debate Renewed This article was originally published in For The Defense, May 2007, Vol. 49, No. 5.  Reprinted by permission. The hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 resulted in many claims for loss of business income. Applying this coverage, which is always tricky, can be even more problematic in the context of widespread devastation.   Business Income Loss Claim Variables There are two signific...

This is one of a series of articles under the by line "Butler on Bad Faith" originally published in Mealey's Litigation Report: Insurance Bad Faith, Vol. 19, #24 (April 18, 2006). [Editor's Note: Thomas A. Keller is a senior associate with the law firm of Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP. He is active in the firm's Extra-contractual and Coverage Departments. Michael A. Zaritsky is an associate wi...