Since 2002, Kristin (“Kristi”) Demers-Crowell has served as a plaintiff’s attorney for policyholders and has handled hundreds of property insurance cases, including losses from hurricanes, sinkholes, fires, collapse, water intrusion, theft, vandalism and other causes. Kristi focuses her practice on Commercial and Residential Property Insurance Claims, Business Interruption, Bad Faith Litigation and Insurance Agent Negligence. She has dedicated her career to helping homeowners and businesses recover from catastrophes and forcing insurance companies to keep their promises. From condominiums and homes to restaurants and other businesses, Kristi has dealt with losses from the start of the claims process through appraisal and trial.

Kristi is a member of the American Association for Justice; Florida Justice Association; American Bar Association, Hillsborough, Clearwater and St. Petersburg Bar Associations; Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters; and Windstorm Insurance Network. She is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Florida and Texas, as well as the Middle, Southern and Northern federal districts of Florida.

A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Kristi grew up in the legal community there. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Tulane University in New Orleans, La., with a major in English Literature. Kristi earned her Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, where she served on the Law Review and was a national competitor on the law school’s top ranked trial team.

Kristi began her legal career in 1998 with the oldest law firm in St. Petersburg, Harris, Barrett, Mann & Dew, LLP, where she managed large volumes of insurance defense cases. She spent a week at the offices of a major insurance company learning all aspects of the claims process and gained an insider’s view on what motivates insurers.

In 2000, Kristi had the opportunity to serve as a law clerk for Federal Magistrate Judge Thomas B. McCoun, III, in the Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida, and assisted in writing decisions in insurance matters and other civil disputes.

Upon returning to private practice in 2002, Kristi knew she wanted to represent the insured and help people recover from disasters. She pushes insurance companies to handle claims quickly, properly and fairly, so her clients can get their lives and businesses back to normal as soon as possible.

AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
• Texas

Education

• Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida
• Juris Doctor
• Honors: Stetson Law Review
• Stetson Trial Team
• Ralph Harris Ferrell Competition Award
• Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award
• William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award
• Pinellas County Guardian Ad Litem
• Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude

Published Works

• “What Else Do We Cover? Extra Coverages,” April 2006
• Contributing Author, Thompson Reuters/West Treatise, CAT Claims: Insurance Coverage for Natural and Man-Made Disasters

Classes/Seminars Taught

• “Property Insurance Coverage and Claims,” The People’s Law School, sponsored by the Clearwater Bar Association and St. Petersburg College, February 18, 2010
• “Speed Adjusting: A Fast and Furious Look at the Concerns and Considerations of Insurance Claims and How They Can Affect Public Adjusting,” FAPIA Summer Conference 2009
• “It’s How You Play the Game,” 2008 NAPIA/MAPIA INSURANCE SEMINAR, October 2008
• “Insurance Claim Do’s and Don’ts,” 2008 FAPIA Summer Meeting, June 20, 2008
• “Flood Zones, Sinkholes & Hurricanes! – Casualty Loss Coverage,” Clearwater Bar Association / Pinellas Realtors Organization, February 13, 2007
• “Preserving the Property Insurance Claim: Experts, Estimates, and Evidence,” National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. Annual Convention, October 18, 2007
• “Weathering the Storm: Preparing for the Future,” Community Associations Institute (CAI), Association of Professional Community Managers Regional Conference, Florida Region, November 10, 2006
• “Florida Sinkhole Litigation,” Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc., 2006
• “Weathering the Storm: A Property Manager’s Guide to Natural Disasters and Insurance Claims,” Rampart Properties (Private Presentation), July 27, 2006

Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Association for Justice
• Florida Justice Association
• American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• St. Petersburg Bar Association
• Clearwater Bar Association
• Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA)
• Windstorm Insurance Network

Fraternities/Sororities

• Phi Delta Phi
• Kappa Alpha Theta