John Heilman is a partner in the Hartford office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the General Liability Practice. Mr. Heilman focuses his practice on civil litigation, including auto and premises cases. Mr. Heilman has experience managing statewide defense portfolios for clients. He is a zealous advocate from pre-suit through mediation and trial. Mr. Heilman has aggressively defended campgrounds and auto/recreational vehicle (RV) dealers in injury and property damage claims in various states and in federal court. He is also licensed to practice in Florida. 

Foreign Language Capabilities

Pro Bono & Philanthropy

Publications

Professional Presentations

• Florida PIP Case Law, Rules, and Statutes Update, Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC) 30th Annual Conference, June 10, 2022
• SIU Data Analytics: A Sword and Shield for Florida Law, Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC) 23rd Annual Conference, June 11, 2015
• "Boardable" Damages and Pre-Trial/Post-Trial Set Offs, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium - The Best Defense is a Good Offense, Orlando, FL, September 17, 2014
• Outsmarting Smart Technology: Legal Ramifications in the Assisted Living Setting, Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) Annual Conference and Tradeshow, August 11, 2014
• "Boardable" Damages and Pre-Trial/Post-Trial Set Offs, Client Seminar, Tampa, FL, July 10, 2014
• Managing and Investigating Billing Misrepresentations Under the New PIP Statute, Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC) 22nd Annual Conference, June 12, 2014
• Ten Ways to Avoid and Fight a Lawsuit Against Your Assisted Living Facility, Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA), Hillsborough Chapter, January 28, 2014

Admissions

• State Bar Admissions
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
• United States District Courts
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Associations

• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Florida Assisted Living Association, 2011-2014
• Membership Chair for Hillsborough Chapter, 2013-2014
• Business Networking International (BNI), Brandon Florida, 2008
• Lakeland Bar Association, 2006-2008

Education

University of Florida – Levin College of Law

Juris Doctor, with Honors, 2000

University of Florida – Warrington Graduate School of Business

Master of Business Administration, 2000

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Arts, English, summa cum laude, 1996

• Phi Beta Kappa

Representative Matters

• Obtained defense verdict in uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM) jury trial where available coverage was $500,000; Plaintiff had over $159,000 in boarded past medical expenses due to multiple fractures.
• Obtained final summary judgment in trip and fall at a national pharmacy chain location.
• Obtained final summary judgment in federal court case involving a national clothing retailer; Plaintiff's claims were for false arrest, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Obtained final summary judgment in first party coverage case concerning claims for alleged BI, UM, PIP, collision, property damage, loss of use coverage and Unfair Insurance Trade Practices.
• Obtained dismissal, with zero payment, in worker's compensation exclusivity / immunity case involving national department store chain.
• Co-trial counsel in premises liability case involving national retailer which resulted in favorable post trial settlement; settlement was based on sanction that would have been awarded against Plaintiff on statutory Proposal for Settlement filed months before trial.
• Assisted in obtaining $3 million in coverage for national RV retailer via crossclaim and third-party complaint.
• Obtained dismissal, with zero payment, of wrongful death claim against national sports league charity; dismissal was response to motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.