Related Practices
Zelle Attorneys to Present at 2026 PLRB Claims Conference in National Harbor, MD
March 23, 2026Zelle attorneys Brandt Johnson, Jessica Port, Lindsey Davis, Seth Jackson, and Dennis Anderson will present at the 2026 Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB) Claims Conference & Insurance Services Expo in National Harbor, Maryland, on March 22–25, 2026.
The Zelle attorneys will present the following sessions during the conference:
Brandt Johnson, will co-present “Full of Hot Air or a Legitimate Hail or Wind Claim?” with Howard Altschule (Forensic Weather Consultants) and Annette Tarquinio (Engle Martin & Associates).
Our presentation will have three presenters: a Certified Consulting Meteorologist, a Senior Executive General Adjuster, and an insurance coverage attorney. This will facilitate different points of views – claims, legal and technology/expert. The presentation will be engaging, conversational and will encourage audience interaction. The presentation will also incorporate case studies, an exciting discussion of meteorology, the use of technology while adjusting and/or defending hail, wind, and tornado claims, and conversation about recent case law, decisions and successful Daubert challenges. The target audience is Claims Managers, Adjusters, Attorneys and any other professionals that are involved in weather-related claims and lawsuits. Attendees will learn what tools are available to them, when different experts should be relied upon, the value they bring to a claim or case, and possible implications of not using the right experts to prove a claim or lawsuit.
The presentation will take place on March 23, 2026, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET and March 24, 2026, from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET.
Dennis Anderson will present “Practical and Tactical Considerations in Appraisals.”
It is crucial that adjusters and insurance professionals know the pros and cons of appraisal including the pitfalls to avoid. This course is intended to give adjusters and insurance professionals a thorough knowledge and understanding of appraisal in property insurance claims. The course will first address the value of appraisal as a form of alternative dispute resolution. The discussion will then turn to appraisal under various states’ laws, emerging issues in appraisals, and practical tips on how best to utilize appraisal.
The presentation will take place on March 23, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET and on March 24, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET.
Jessica Port will co-present “The Ethics of Automation: Avoiding Bad Faith Claims in AI-Driven Claims Handling” alongside Gene Strother (AdjustU) and Robin Roberson (Agentech).
This session is designed to prepare claims professionals, insurance executives, and compliance officers for the responsible and effective use of AI in claims processing. Attendees will explore the ethical and legal challenges associated with automation, gaining insight into when human oversight is essential and how to prevent AI-driven errors that could result in bad faith litigation. The session will also examine the nuances of human versus AI bias, offering strategies for promoting fairness in claim outcomes. Participants will learn how to build internal governance, such as an AI Constitution, to set ethical boundaries before deploying AI tools. Practical frameworks and best practices will be shared to help ensure transparency, regulatory compliance, and equitable treatment in an increasingly automated landscape.
The presentation will take place on March 23, 2026, from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM ET and March 24, 2026, from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET.
Lindsey Davis will present “Common Abuses in First-Party Property Claims and How Policy Wordings Can Respond.”
This course is intended to give adjusters and insurance professionals a thorough knowledge and understanding of the current issues arising in the adjustment of property insurance claims. The course will first identify the latest common abuses in property insurance claims from the insurer’s perspective. The discussion will then turn to how to proactively address those abuses through various policy wordings to better ensure claims are resolved fairly and amicably.
The presentation will take place on March 23, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET and on March 24, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET.
Seth Jackson will co-present “How to Avoid the Tenant Improvements & Betterments Quagmire in Commercial Cases” with co-presenters Brad Groce (Crum & Forster) and Thomas Carstens (Crawford & Company).
This interactive session examines the complex landscape of commercial property claims involving tenant improvements and betterments (TIB). Attendees will learn to analyze property policies, identify the insurable interests of both landlords and tenants, and evaluate lease agreements for their impact on coverage responsibilities. The session will begin with an overview of the presenters' industry experience and a case study designed to assess audience knowledge and introduce key themes. Participants will engage in role-based exercises, representing various interested parties—such as tenants, landlords, and insurers—in a simulated claim scenario. A structured, step-by-step approach will guide attendees through the claim process, including investigation, policy interpretation, stakeholder interviews, and the collection of critical documentation. Emphasis will be placed on valuation, policy limits, coinsurance considerations, and the allocation of coverage responsibility under lease terms. Legal case studies will be integrated to illustrate how courts have addressed similar disputes and to provide insight into the implications for claims professionals. Active audience engagement will be fostered through interactive discussions, scenario analysis, and guided questions designed to encourage critical thinking throughout the session.
The presentation will take place on March 24, 2026, from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM ET and March 25, 2026, from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET.
More information about the conference, including the full agenda and session times, is available here.
