Steve Badger’s firm biography references a newsletter, The Zelle Lonestar Lowdown. For those battling insurance coverage issues in Texas, The Zelle Lonestar Lowdown offers invaluable monthly insights into Texas first-party property insurance law and claims. This newsletter, produced by a firm with deep roots in insurance litigation, provides critical updates that can make a difference in your practice, whether you are an adjuster, public adjuster, restoration contractor, or an attorney involved in first-party property insurance claims.
The Lonestar Lowdown concisely analyzes recent Texas court decisions, legislative changes, and emerging trends in property insurance law. Each edition focuses on practical implications for policyholders and practitioners, making it an essential resource for staying current in this complex field.
An example of this is in the November Newsletter, where Todd Tippet provided Ten Tips For An Appraiser to Consider When Nominating or Selecting an Umpire For an Appraisal in First Party Insurance Claims:
- Like the appraisers involved in the appraisal, the Umpire should be independent and competent in the area of first-party claims.
- Additionally, the Umpire should be impartial and fair to both sides. The Umpire is likely the most important person involved in the appraisal process and will be key to resolving the matter.
- Appraisers should consider mediators as Umpires. Mediators are known to be neutrals with a mind toward resolving disputes.
- Appraisers may also consider contractors that never will be or never intend to be involved in the repair of the damage at issue.
- Appraisers should interview any and all Umpire candidates proposed by the other side to discuss their backgrounds and past appraisal experience before agreeing on an Umpire candidate.
- The Umpire should agree to charge a reasonable hourly fee or flat fee.
- In Texas, the Umpire should agree to only determine the amount of loss and avoid making coverage or liability decisions that will impact the outcome of the appraisal.
- Any Umpire nominated or selected should agree to use best efforts to help resolve the disputed claim through the appraisal process and avoid creating issues that will require litigation after the appraisal process is complete.
- Appraisers should never seek the unilateral appointment of an Umpire through the courts. Always involve all parties so the entire appraisal process is fair. Failing to follow this advice will simply cause more problems in the appraisal process.
- If the other side seeks and obtains the unilateral appointment of an Umpire who is known to be biased, the Appraiser and his or her client should consider challenging the appointment with the Court that made the unilateral appointment.”
A Little History of Zelle
The newsletter’s authority stems from Zelle LLP’s rich history in insurance law. Founded by Larry Zelle in 1988, the firm began as Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason LLP before simplifying to Zelle LLP in 2016. Larry Zelle, who passed away in 2021, built his reputation by securing significant verdicts early in his career and mentoring countless attorneys who later became partners.
Zelle’s approach to mentorship shaped the future of his firm. His philosophy centered on giving young attorneys opportunities, responsibility, and guidance. Many of his mentees from his first firm, Robins, Davis & Lyons, later became partners and joined him in establishing Zelle Hofmann. His mantra was simple yet powerful: Attorneys should take virtual ownership of every client matter as if they held primary responsibility. A published interview with Larry Zelle stated:
I started mentoring others early in my career at the Robins, Davis & Lyons firm. It has been very fulfilling to see my mentees grow and take leadership positions as their careers have progressed. Several of my mentees actually became partners at Robins, Davis & Lyons and departed with me to become the leadership of Zelle Hofmann. My mantra for mentorship has been to give young attorneys an opportunity, responsibility and guidance. In some instances, mentoring has gone far beyond mere legal career advice, and I have developed close relationships of trust with those mentees. The greatest piece of advice that I can provide to young attorneys is to take virtual ownership of every client matter and case in which you are involved. In other words, imagine that you have primary responsibility for the particular matter on which you are working. Through this process, one will be stimulated to think more critically, ask better questions to the assigning attorney, and have greater development in one’s career.
After I became Co-Executive partner at Robins, Davis & Lyons, I began to work with many young attorneys who were assigned to some of the larger cases I handled. Many of those attorneys have since achieved their own successes, and are now partners at law firms throughout the Twin Cities and elsewhere. In working with attorneys, I gave extensive responsibilities to all associates, allowing them to make meaningful contributions to the cases. They knew that their work was valuable and communication was encouraged. Beyond creating an environment that fostered the professional development of attorneys in the legal sense, I developed a relationship of trust with younger attorneys that also fostered the professional growth of my mentees.
The firm has a London presence through Zelle International. Readers may remember that one of Steve Badger’s debates with me was at Lloyds, as noted in Steve Badger Was Rope-A-Doped By Chip Merlin!
Texas Focus
While maintaining its global reach, Zelle has developed particular expertise in Texas insurance law. The Lonestar Lowdown reflects this specialized knowledge, offering readers practical insights into Texas-specific issues while drawing on the firm’s broader experience in complex insurance matters.
For those seeking to stay ahead of insurance industry developments, subscribing to the Lonestar Lowdown provides access to timely analysis from a firm that has shaped insurance law for over thirty years. I also like to keep up with what the insurance defense bar is writing and their views on matters.
Here is the link if you wish to subscribe.
Thought For The Day
“You will want a mentor who has a commitment to your professional development, will advocate for you, and has the willingness to advise you with candor.”
—Larry Zelle
1 Paths to Success: An Interview with Larry Zelle, Break into Law Blog (May 14, 2013).
