When were you an attorney at Tressler? For how long?

I practiced at Tressler in the mid-1990s!  I was there for a few years before moving downstate.

How did your experiences at Tressler prepare you for your current role at Silver Peak Insurance Consulting?

At Tressler, I worked with three very skilled, energized and fun partners in the Insurance Coverage and Appeals group – Shaun McParland Baldwin, Mike Duffy and D.J. Sartorio. The coverage work was varied, sophisticated and remarkably interesting. It prepared me for the road ahead – almost 20 years of in-house claim work at RLI Insurance Company. Those experiences, combined, dovetailed into my ability to start my own insurance consulting business. I am truly fortunate to be in a position where I am being retained by attorneys across the country to work with them as their bad faith expert.

What advice would you give to current associates moving up the ranks at Tressler?

Work hard; play hard.  Immerse yourself in the work, give it your all while you are in the office; then, go out and have fun.  Be sure to live a balanced life. 

What was your most memorable experience at Tressler?

My most memorable experience was drafting a coverage opinion that we sent to the client in a three-ring binder because it was so massive. Shaun affectionately referred to it as “Andi’s Opus.”  It took me two solid months to analyze the case and address all the coverage issues. As a young lawyer, having been given the opportunity and responsibility to tackle such a big, ugly mess of a case was an experience I will never forget. 

Are you involved in any pro-bono or volunteer activities?

In my current capacity, I have my Illinois license on inactive status and I have not sought to become licensed in Utah, where I currently reside.  My favorite local charity is RSQ Dogs+ from which I recently adopted a sweet but mischievous kitten. I recently moved to St. George and have yet to become an active volunteer.   

What is most challenging about your current work?

The most challenging aspect of my business is short deadlines. To read thousands of pages of documents, analyze them and then craft an excellent written report under 30 days is not an easy task. Yet, I know my limitations and take great pride in my work, so while “no” is not what I want to tell a prospective client, it sometimes is required.

Do you have any updates about your professional and/or personal life that you would like to share?

If you would like more information on my consulting business, please feel free to check out my webpage at https://www.speakinsurance.net/ or shoot me an email – andrea.dean@speakinsurance.net, I would love to hear from you.

I will add – that if you must work from home – having a mountain view and 300 days of sunshine is the way to go! I absolutely love it here in St. George, Utah – it is an easy place to work hard; play hard.