I defend Insurance Companies in Florida first-party property litigation. As former General Counsel and head of litigation for SafePoint Insurance Company, an AM Best-rated Florida property and casualty carrier, I gained intimate and extensive knowledge of what makes an insurance company prosper. Before that, I developed and tested winning litigation strategies as a litigator at one of Florida’s largest law firms, Cole, Scott, & Kissane, P.A. But knowledge and experience require action. I co founded Bickford and Chidnese to share this knowledge and help you win.
Meet Our Team
Leadership
Shareholder/Founder
Patrick Chidnese
Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar, I represent Florida insurance companies and businesses in high-stakes appellate and trial actions. I have been privileged to represent clients on appeals before the Florida Supreme Court, every Florida District Court of Appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. I have successfully briefed and argued complex appellate issues, including matters of first impression in the State of Florida. When you need to think steps ahead, I will design and execute your strategy.
Before co-founding Bickford & Chidnese, I was a partner in the international law firm Holland & Knight LLP.
I am admitted to practice in Florida and Texas. I graduated first in my law school class at Stetson University College of Law and received a B.S. in Economics from Duke University.
After graduating with a B.A. in Economics from the University of South Florida in 2004 (Go Bulls!!), I started my first career in insurance claims. While working in claims, I ascended to claims management, ultimately working for a nationwide carrier managing a casualty claims group. During my last four years as a claim manager, I attended Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School at night, graduating Cum Laude in August 2016.
After graduation, I worked at one of Florida’s largest insurance defense firms, handling third party litigation and wrongful death, honing the skills that have led me to being a partner at Bickford & Chidnese. As an attorney, I lean on my experience as an adjuster and claims manager with a focus on resolution instead of the billable hour. Over the last several years, I have had the privilege of representing multiple insurance carriers and their insureds in Courts throughout the State of Florida and Florida’s Federal Middle District.
I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids at theme parks, USF Football games, and other outings in our community with friends.
Mr. Zeck graduated from the Stetson University College of Law in 2016, and upon being admitted to the Florida Bar, he served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. While there, he prosecuted a variety of crimes and took part in more than 25 jury trials. Mr. Zeck has since worked the last several years in third-party litigation defense, representing individuals who are being sued. Mr. Zeck has litigated hundreds of matters on behalf of Florida’s individual, consumer insureds.
Prior to his time at Stetson, Mr. Zeck earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Upon graduating, Mr. Zeck interned with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, primarily covering the Tampa Bay Rays for MLB.com. His sports writing work has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including the Tampa Bay Times.
I defend Insurance Companies and their Insureds in Florida first-party property litigation and third-party personal injury litigation. As former Staff Counsel for a Fortune 100 insurance company, I gained extensive knowledge and an understanding of the intricacies of property and personal injury litigation. I’m dedicated to staying informed of the latest trends and developments in all areas of property and personal injury litigation. In addition to representing one of the nation’s largest personal lines insurers, I have been privileged to represent a diverse client base in a wide variety of construction defect and property litigation. I am proud to use my experience and knowledge to develop winning litigation strategies and to obtain positive outcomes for our clients.
I am admitted to practice before the state courts of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. I obtained a Juris Doctor with honors from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School where I served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. After law school, I completed a two-year judicial clerkship with Justice Peggy A. Quince of the Supreme Court of Florida. I received a B.S. in Political Science from The Ohio State University. Before practicing law, I served in the United States Coast Guard.
Attorneys
I am proud to be part of Bickford & Chidnese LLP’s first-party property insurance practice group. As a recent graduate from Stetson University College of Law, I have the skills necessary to advocate for you when it matters most. During my time at Stetson, I served as Articles & Symposia Editor for the Stetson Law Review, was an award-winning member of the Moot Court Board, and interned for the Honorable Judge Julie S. Sneed of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Fluent in three languages–English, Spanish, and Swedish–I am able to communicate your needs across multicultural boundaries.
Prior to law school, I completed an internship with the Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. and graduated from Stetson University with a B.A. in Political Science. Through these experiences, I am prepared to handle your most complex litigation challenges.
I am proud to defend Insurance Companies along with my colleagues at Bickford & Chidnese, LLP. Prior to joining the firm, I worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Cicuit in Pasco County, FL where I conducted several misdemeanor and felony jury trials. From that experience I have learned the skills necessary to advocate zealously for our clients and their interest both inside and outside the courtroom.
I am admitted to practice law in Florida. I obtained a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and a B.S. from Webber International University.
I defend Insurance Companies in Florida first-party property litigation. As former in-house counsel for a Fortune 100 insurance company, I progressed my knowledge regarding property litigation. Before that, I accelerated my growth and expertise in first-party property litigation at one of Florida’s largest defense firms, Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. I take pride in using my experience, knowledge, and attention-to-detail to develop winning strategies and obtain positive outcomes for our clients.
I am admitted to practice law in Florida. I obtained a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and a B.S. from the University of Central Florida. After law school, I was an Assistant Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange/Osceola County, Florida, where I zealously defended and protected my clients’ rights.
I received my Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2019. Upon being admitted to the Florida Bar, I specialized in defending complex bodily injury lawsuits at one of Florida’s largest defense firms, Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. I have since expanded my practice to include family law and dependency. These diverse legal experiences led me to Bickford & Chidnese, where I focus on defending state and nation-wide insurance companies in bodily injury suits.
Before going to law school I earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where I graduated with honors in 2016.
I specialize in representing individual insureds defending against claims brought by third parties throughout Florida. I am proud to help my clients navigate these disputes from the pre-suit bodily injury claim process all the way through trial, providing strategic support and advice at all stages. Originally from Miami, where I was born and raised, I moved to the Tampa Bay area to pursue my legal education and graduated from Stetson University College of Law.
Since becoming an attorney, I have focused my practice on third-party litigation defense, handling hundreds of cases throughout the state. My passion for this work drives me to provide dedicated and effective representation for my clients. At Bickford and Chidnese, I am committed to ensuring that my clients receive the support they need during challenging times, and I take pride in being a reliable advocate for their interests.
My focus is defending Florida’s Insurance Companies on first-party property disputes. Prior to joining Bickford & Chidnese, I worked at a large regional insurance defense firm, where I also focused my practice on first-party property disputes.
I am admitted to practice law in Florida. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School and obtained a B.A.S. in Paralegal Studies from St. Petersburg College. During Law School, I had the distinct opportunity to be published in the National Lawyers Guild Review. My experiences inside and outside the court room have allowed me to advocate for my clients and produce favorable outcomes.
I defend Florida insurance companies in first-party property litigation. Before joining Bickford & Chidnese, I worked as an associate at a national defense firm where I focused on high-stakes first-party property disputes. Consistency and dedication are the cornerstones of my practice, and I implement these principles daily to deliver world-class service and obtain positive results for our clients.
I am admitted to practice before the state courts of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. I obtained a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. During my time at Stetson, I served as a teaching assistant in Civil Procedure, as well as an Associate Editor for the Journal of International Wildlife & Policy and the Journal of Aging Law & Policy. Prior to law school, I received a B.S. in Sport Management from Florida State University and am an avid supporter of the Florida State Seminoles.
I am a dedicated attorney who takes a client-centered approach to all cases, understanding the importance of listening to my client. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, I’ve spent most of my years in Florida, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida. I received my Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, where I served as the Vice Chief for the Moot Court Team.
During law school, I worked as a Contracts Manager for a $214 million non-profit that handled various programs from substance abuse and mental health to guardianship. I also worked diligently with the Children and Family Services Program and Immigration. Once licensed, I became In-House Counsel assisting with employment issues, contract disputes, and defending Head Start/Early Head Start violations.
I then worked as a criminal defense attorney, handling cases through trial from misdemeanors to capital felonies. Subsequently, I worked for the largest defense firm in Florida defending Insurance companies and their insureds. As I have been privileged to represent a variety of clients and cases, I am proud and excited to bring this experience to the Bickford & Chidnese team.
I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology at the University of Tennessee. I was a decorated member of the University’s swimming and diving program and received both athletic and academic accolades during my undergraduate career. I also served as a member of the Student Athletic Association Committee and was honored with a seat on the prestigious Rules and Regulations Committee for USA Swimming where I helped interpret proposed rule changes and their effects.
After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I attended Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, Tennessee. During law school I worked for a criminal defense firm where I found my passion as a defense attorney. Since my admission to the Florida Bar, I have focused on representing Florida insureds involved in complex bodily injury litigation. I am proud to bring my competitive nature and attention to detail to the firm and utilize these skills in every aspect of my representation.
I have a background in personal injury law with diverse experience representing insurance companies, individual insureds, and businesses alike. A Florida native, I grew up in Tampa and pursued an undergraduate degree at Florida Atlantic University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Philosophy. I continued my academic journey at the University of Colorado Law School, where I obtained a Juris Doctor. During law school I had the privilege of working as a student-attorney for the University of Colorado’s Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, assisting start-ups and small businesses with their organizational documents and practices. After graduating from law school I returned to Tampa, where I was involved in the Hillsborough County’s Family Law Forms Clinic.
I am admitted to practice law in both Florida and Colorado. My professional focus here at Bickford & Chidnese is in personal injury law. I draw on my unique professional and academic experiences to diligently advocate for our clients with a commitment to fairness and justice. When not practicing law, I enjoy playing tennis, embracing both the competitive spirit and strategic thinking that the sport demands.
I am proud to be an attorney in the third-party personal injury litigation group at Bickford & Chidnese. Before joining the firm, I began my legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, Florida, where I gained extensive trial experience prosecuting violent felony offenders of special concern.
I transitioned from trying misdemeanor and felony cases to civil litigation in 2020 at a boutique firm that specialized in the areas of medical malpractice and nursing home negligence. My expertise grew to include a wide range of insurance disputes such as personal injury, first party property, and third-party liability, which I have successfully pursued against national corporations at the state and federal level. Due to my time as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney, I am able to analyze my cases through both the plaintiff and defense perspectives, providing our clients with a comprehensive yet personalized approach from preliminary negotiations all the way through jury trial and at every critical step in between.
I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida then went on to obtain my Juris Doctor at the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Tampa Bay Campus, in 2017. In addition to being an accomplished advocate, I am a proud dog mom to two Dachshund pups and a dedicated volunteer within the local community.
As a second-career attorney, I have accumulated fifteen years of insurance business experience before joining Bickford & Chidnese. After receiving my M.B.A. from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio in 2009, I embarked on a career in human resources that culminated in a Vice President role at a regional property and casualty insurance carrier in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, I worked with the leadership team on establishing the company’s strategic vision, hiring and developing claims professionals, and assisting the Claims Department with a variety of administrative and operational tasks.
I attended the Georgia State University College of Law at night during my final two years in Atlanta, and then moved to Tampa to finish my legal education at Stetson University. At Stetson, I clerked for a large national insurance defense firm during my third year. I proudly graduated near the top of my class, earning Summa Cum Laude honors.
In my free time, I enjoy watching America’s Got Talent with my family while wondering why I was not blessed with a unique talent, biking the recreational trails around the Tampa Bay area, lamenting my status as a third-generation Cleveland Browns fan, and I am a reluctant Disney enthusiast.
Prior to joining Bickford & Chidnese, I worked at one of Florida's largest insurance defense firms, handling premises and general liability claims for Florida’s insureds throughout all stages of the litigation process. I am excited to bring this experience to Bickford & Chidnese and to proudly advocate for my clients.
Growing up in the Tampa Bay Area, I graduated from Alonso High School where I played baseball and hockey. I attended UCF and received my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Sports Business. During my time at Stetson University College of Law, I assisted with the defense of a high-profile white collar criminal case and worked in-house at an asset management company. I also worked for a national sports agency that focused on representing professional and collegiate baseball players.
When out of the office, I enjoy playing golf, hockey, and spending time at Pass-a-Grille Beach.