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As founder and president of Merlin Law Group, Mr. Merlin has dedicated his practice to the representation and advocacy of insurance policyholders in disputes with insurance companies in California, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, and nationwide. Mr. Merlin also aids in the preparation of First Party Property Insurance Claims for submission to insurance companies for payment of various - and often very unique - insurance claims. Indeed, if an insurer refuses to honor an insurance policy by paying a claim, Mr. Merlin proceeds to the "litigation" phase of the claim on behalf of his clients - the policyholders. Mr. Merlin also practices bad faith insurance law, with a focus on Commercial & Residential Property Insurance Claim Disputes and Bad Faith litigation.
Mr. Merlin is a renowned Speaker and noted national expert on Bad Faith insurance law. He frequently lectures to national trade groups and has published numerous papers and articles on insurance-related topics and law for organizations such as The American Association for Justice, The Florida Justice Association, The Florida Windstorm Conference, and Trial Magazine. Because of the breadth and depth of his knowledge and experience, Mr. Merlin is frequently sought to provide comment and insight into current legal issues on the stage of the national media. He has appeared on Fox News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC on topics as diverse as freedom of speech, employee’s and property owners’ rights to privacy and slander and emotional distress.
Mr. Merlin served as Chair for the Bad Faith Insurance Litigation Group and Secretary for the Fire and Property Insurance Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice (formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). He is routinely invited to be a featured speaker on insurance law at some of the nation’s most prestigious conferences and seminars. He has addressed his peers at the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Florida Justice Association. He has also presented before members of such organizations as the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA), the Community Associations Institute, and the Windstorm Network.
| William F Merlin, Jr.: | Member at The Merlin Law Group, P.A. |
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777 S Harbour Island Blvd Ste 950 Tampa, FL 336025747 |
| Website: | http://www.merlinlawgroup.com/attorneys/211/William-F-Chip-Merlin-Jr |
| Phone: | 813-229-1000 |
| Fax: | 813-229-3692 |
| Office Hours: |
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| Offices: |
Merlin Law Group, P.A.
Merlin Law Group P.A.
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Since 1983, William "Chip" Merlin, Jr., has served as a plaintiff's attorney with a focus on Commercial & Residential Property Insurance Claim Disputes and Bad Faith Insurance litigation. Mr. Merlin opened his first "Plaintiff's" law office in Tampa, Florida and since opening his first office nearly 3 decades ago, he has opened offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, New Jersey, New York, & Florida. He has appeared on Fox News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC.
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) | Associate Member | N/A |
| Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) | Associate Member | 1992 - 1900 |
| Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) | Associate Member | N/A |
| NAPIA - National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters | Associate Member | N/A |
| American Association for Justice | President's Member | N/A |
| NAPIA - National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters | Associate Member | 2000 - 1900 |
| American Association for Justice | President's Member | 2000 - 1900 |
| NAPIA - National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters | Associate Member | N/A |
| American Association for Justice | President's Member | N/A |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
| Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2012 |
| Florida's Legal Elite | Florida Trend Magazine | 2012 |
| Tampa’s Top Attorney | National Law Journal® | 2011 |
| Tampa Bay’s Best Lawyers | Tampa Bay Magazine | 2010 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | law | 2025 |
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | law | 2025 |
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | law | 2025 |
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | law | 2025 |
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | law | 2025 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| State Farm settles with 103 Katrina victims | Confidential |
| State | Number | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC | Good Standing | 2006 | 11/13/2021 | |
| GA | Active Member in Good Standing | 2015 | 11/13/2021 | |
| IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2014 | 11/13/2021 | |
| IN | Temporary Admission Expired | 2008 | 11/13/2021 | |
| MS | Active | 2006 | 11/13/2021 | |
| NY | Currently registered | 2013 | 11/13/2021 | |
| TN | Active | 2010 | 11/13/2021 | |
| TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 2008 | 11/13/2021 | |
| FL | 364721 | Member in Good Standing | 1983 | 04/25/2019 |
| HI | Limited license to appear with local counsel | 1969 | 12/13/2016 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Lawyer | Business Interruption and Extra Expense Insurance are the Most Important Commercial Coverages--and Often the Most Overlooked at Point of Sale and Adjustment | 2009 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| FAPIA Fall Conference | “Practical lessons public adjusters can learn from recent litigation against insurers.” | 2012 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| President | Merlin Law Group, P.A. | N/A |
| President | Merlin Law Group, P.A. | 1985 - 1900 |
| President | Merlin Law Group, P.A. | N/A |
