Robert Schmidt, Business and Computer Writing

Compel your insurance company to honor your claim

People who have experienced property damage from fires, floods, earthquakes, or other disasters need attorneys 80% of the time to get the reimbursement they deserve. It’s bad enough to suffer the loss without being the victim of negligence or intransigence by your insurer. Patricia Depew battles for victims of casualty loss, redressing wrongs and reaffirming rights. She’s earned settlements for her clients from $76,000 to $1.3 million.

Pay nothing until you collect

Ms. Depew’s fee is contingent on the size of your negotiated settlement or court-ordered award. You pay nothing until the insurer pays you.

Patricia Depew understands your loss…

Each of Ms Depew’s clients is a compelling story to her, not a file folder handed to her by a clerk. She meets with her clients at length, investigates every aspect of their loss, and becomes their personal advocate. She keeps clients informed and involved at every step.

… negotiates hard, and sues if necessary

An experienced negotiator and litigator, Ms. Depew knows, based on the policy and the damage, how much an insurer will pay when pushed. Especially when the insurer is aware that having to defend a lawsuit is the only alternative.

How Patricia Depew has helped her clients

Though no outcome is guaranteed, these stories are representative of how Ms. Depew has helped her clients:

An insurance company exhibited bad faith toward a client after the Northridge earthquake. It stalled for a year, lowballed the payment for work to be done by $150,000, and didn’t cover the client’s additional living expenses. Ms. Depew earned her client a $1.3 million settlement, covering the repairs and the {hotel bills? rental apartment? Was this a family?}

After a man’s car blew up on the freeway, his insurance company claimed his coverage had lapsed. He lost his job, a business startup, and his girlfriend in the ensuing struggle. Ms. Depew convinced the insurance company to pay for her client’s car and his loss of income.

In a fire at a residential hotel, the insurance company said its policy holder wasn’t covered. Ms. Depew disputed the nature and amount of coverage on the person’s behalf. {resolved yet? If not we need another example.}

An advocate with a passion

After earning a Bachelor’s degree cum laude in Sociology/Psychology from San Diego State University, Patricia Depew completed work for a Master’s degree at UC Berkeley and obtained a Master’s in Sociology from USC. She began her career as an urban program analyst with the New York State Urban Development Corporation. Moving to film production, she produced and directed PBS and network programs, received an NEA grant, and won a Humanitas Award.

Ms. Depew received her JD from Southwestern University School of Law after participating in the Comparative International Law Study Program at the University of Florence. In addition to her successful law practice, she works pro bono on political asylum and deportation advocacy.

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