Evelyn M. Merchant, JD (she/her/hers)

Founding Member/Partner
Berk, Merchant & Sims, PLC

Ms. Merchant is a founding member of Berk, Merchant and Sims, PLC and has been an AV rated attorney since 1997. Her practice focuses on civil litigation of first and third party insurance coverage including commercial and residential insurance claims and bad faith/extra-contractual claims. Ms. Merchant has an emphasis in special investigations of claims involving fraud, misrepresentation or concealment, including arson and other intentional acts. Ms. Merchant also handles third party liability defense of premises liability, wrongful death, professional liability, construction litigation, product liability, nursing home defense, medical malpractice and complex commercial contract disputes. Additionally, she handles matters in subrogation, appraisal and arbitration and has extensive experience in pre-suit property claims investigation. In addition, Ms. Merchant has served as an expert in legal malpractice, insurance coverage and attorney fee disputes.

A vigorous litigator, she has successfully tried more than 75 cases to verdict. In the last few years she has tried twenty two windstorm cases with eighteen defense verdicts, two verdicts in favor of the plaintiff for less than the insurer’s offer and two settled during trial for less than the pre-trial offer. Ms. Merchants professional accomplishments throughout her career have been recognized by her peers, awarding her an AV Preeminent Peer Review rating from Martindale-Hubble, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability.

Presentation(s):

• Managing the Complexities of Large Excess and Surplus Losses (T15)

  Tuesday, January 24, 2023
  3:30 PM – 5:15 PM

• Managing the Complexities of Large Excess and Surplus Losses (Repeat) (W4)

  Wednesday, January 25, 2023
  10:30 AM – 12:15 PM