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
As a seasoned commercial litigator, 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.
Managing Attorney
Brian Orsborn
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.
Along with our incredible support staff, I defend Florida insurance companies in first-party property disputes. As a graduate with honors from Stetson University College of Law, I am prepared to produce positive results for our clients. Prior to law school I worked as an Advertising Executive on behalf of organizations such as CBS News, iHeart Media, and the National Football League. Through these experiences, I have acquired top level negotiation and closing skills from the industry’s largest professional arenas. I take pride in being a subject matter expert who produces positive results and peace of mind for our clients.
I am dedicated to diligently representing Florida’s insurance companies and business entities. Prior to joining Bickford & Chidnese, LLP, I worked as an attorney for one of Florida’s largest insurance defense firms, where I focused my practice on defending clients in multiple types of first-party and third-party insurance disputes, from onset through resolution.
While in law school at Stetson University College of Law, I focused my time on building the skills needed to excel in practice. I received a book award for my performance in pretrial practice, was named Best Oral Advocate at a national moot court competition and held multiple leadership positions on the Student Bar Association. I was also privileged to intern for the Honorable Elizabeth A. Kovachevich at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and successfully represent our nation’s veterans in appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Before practicing law, I served in the United States Army for eight years, as both an airborne infantryman and military police sergeant, and deployed to Afghanistan as part of combat operations in Operation Enduring Freedom. I know the importance of service and continue to try to advocate for, and give back to, the military veteran community in my spare time. I am proud to use my experience and practical knowledge, both in the practice of law and otherwise, to obtain positive outcomes for our clients and their business interests.
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 am proud to be a part of the team at Bickford & Chidnese. My skills in legal research, writing and communication provide significant value to the firm and our clients. Prior to joining the firm, I worked as a personal injury lawyer, advocating for those who had suffered traumatic brain injuries. When I discovered the emerging crisis in Florida, and what it was doing to Florida’s homeowners, I wanted to do my part to help keep insurance rates as low as possible by providing a strong defense to Florida’s carriers.
I am a Member in Good Standing with the Florida Bar and serve on the Board of Directors for the Clearwater Bar Young Lawyers Division. I am also formerly the host of a Podcast, Joe Knows Brains, and was featured on the Sharkpreneur podcast, hosted by Kevin Harrington from Shark Tank.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University College of Law in 2016. While at FSU, I served as treasurer of the Moot Court team and won Best Oralist at the prestigious Robert M. Orseck Moot Court Competition in Miami. I was also one of two student members of the Florida First District Court of Appeal Inn of Court, serving alongside judges and lawyers to improve the practice of law.
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.
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.
Jeffrey D. Best has been practicing law for over two decades. Prior to relocating to Southwest Florida, he operated a successful general law practice in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana areas. After relocating to Florida, Mr. Best initially worked at a plaintiff personal injury law firm handling auto and slip and fall cases. Subsequently, Mr. Best has been employed as staff counsel at two major insurance carriers defending the carriers and their insureds in first party and third party matters. Mr. Best enjoys working on behalf of his clients and experiencing the satisfaction of helping them achieve the results they expect. He combines his legal knowledge with dedication and compassion toward clients. In many instances, the hiring of an attorney results from a difficult event in someone’s life. He is able to assist people through those events and provide guidance.
Over the course of his career as an attorney, Mr. Best has represented hundreds of clients in various legal matters, and is able to handle, satisfy and, most importantly, exceed their expectations. He has extensive experience in the strategic planning, implementation, and execution of appropriate legal representation. In that process, he has participated in various types of negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and settlements. He has also performed as lead trial counsel in many types of civil, personal injury, and property damage jury trials. Mr. Best earned his J.D., Magna cum laude, in 1995 from Valparaiso University and his B.A., in 1990 from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the Florida Bar.
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.
Mr. Foglia attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing in 3 years graduating cum laude. During that time, he served as a New Jersey Senate Legislative Aid intern to the late Anthony R. Bucco as well as a Judicial Intern in the Chancery/General Equity Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. Before law school, Mr. Foglia was a member of the Johnson & Wales Men’s Volleyball team and a National Collegiate Athlete Association and Institute for Sports and Social Justice Honoree, an award given to select college student-athletes who have achieved academic and athletic excellence while making significant contributions to their schools and communities.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, Mr. Foglia attended Stetson University College of Law and found his passion for Civil Litigation. Since graduating, Mr. Foglia has defended both national and Florida-based insurance carriers in property insurance coverage disputes. Mr. Foglia also represents Florida insureds involved in bodily injury litigation, including premises liability and motor vehicle accidents. Mr. Foglia brings his fast-paced and competitive mentality to every aspect of his representation of his clients.
I defend Insurance Companies and their insureds, in automobile negligence cases claiming personal injury. I have over 34 years of litigation experience and have tried every type of case from the Defense of a Speeding Violation to First Degree Murder and Civil Trials as both a Plaintiff Attorney and Defense Attorney. I have also Defended a personal injury claim in a Jury Trial in Federal Court. I love trying cases in front of juries and am Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial. I have worked as Staff Counsel for a Fortune 100 insurance company defending auto negligence cases as well as managing 2 staff counsel offices. I am proud of my experience and recognize what a privilege it is to practice law.