Caryn L. Bellus

Equity Partner

overview

Caryn L. Bellus is a board certified appellate lawyer whose practice includes all aspects of the firm’s legal work. She specializes in the areas of civil appeals, complex litigation support and insurance coverage. Her extensive appellate experience includes appearances before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Florida Supreme Court and all five Florida District Courts of Appeal. In addition, in the areas of insurance coverage and bad faith, Caryn is an expert in providing coverage analysis and litigating the interpretation of insurance policies.

Caryn is a Past Chair of The Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar, and a member of the Appellate Court Rules Committee. She is also a past Chair of the FDLA's Amicus Curiae Committee.

Caryn has been voted a Florida Super Lawyer in Appellate Practice from 2006 through 2023, named one of Florida's "Best Lawyers" in Appellate Practice from 2013 through 2022 as well as “Best Lawyers” in America in Appellate Practice from 2018-2024 and Commercial Litigation in 2017. Caryn has also been recognized and selected for inclusion in "Best Lawyers" Women in the Law from 2017 through 2019. She has been named one of Florida Trend's Legal Elite in Appellate Practice from 2009 through 2011 and 2016, and selected as a "Top Lawyer" in Appellate and Insurance Coverage by South Florida Legal Guide each year since 2005.

Prior to joining Kubicki Draper, Caryn served as a law clerk for the Honorable Gisela Cardonne-Ely at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Practice Areas
Credentials

Education

  • University of Florida (J.D., 1995)
  • University of Central Florida (B.A., 1991)

Admissions

  • State of Florida, 1995
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Kubicki Draper Appellate and Coverage Practice Group, Co-Chair
  • Kubicki Draper Hospitality, Retail, and Premises Liability Practice Group, Co-Chair
  • Kubicki Draper Auto Glass Practice Group, Member
  • Kubicki Draper Construction Practice Group, Member
  • Kubicki Draper First Party Practice Group, Member
  • Kubicki Draper PIP / SIU Practice Group, Member
  • Kubicki Draper Pre-Suit Practice Group, Member
  • Kubicki Draper Workers' Compensation Practice Group, Member
  • The Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section (1996-Present): Appellate Court Rules Committee (Former); Executive Council (2000 - Present); Immediate Past Chair (2014 - 2015); Chair (2013-2014); Chair-Elect (2012-2013); Vice Chair (2011-2012); Secretary/Treasurer (2010-2011); Chair, Publications Committee (2006 - 2010); Editor, The Guide (2002 - 2006); Member, Publications Committee (2001 - Present); Assistant Editor, The Guide (2001-2002); Chair, Programs Committee (1999-2001); Vice Chair, Programs Committee (1998 - 1999)
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Member
  • Dade County Bar Association (1995 - Present); Dade County Appellate Court Committee (2001-Present)
  • Dade County Defense Bar (1995 - Present)
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Chair, Amicus Curiae Committee (2007 - Present)
  • Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Miami-Dade Chapter
  • Junior Achievement, Dade County, Board of Directors (Past)
  • National Association of Women Judges, Friends Committee (2011 - 2012)
  • The Rosemary Barkett Appellate American Inn of Court

Certifications / Specialties

  • Florida Bar Board Certified - Appellate Practice
  • Certified Continuing Education Instructor, State of Florida

Special Awards and Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice (2018-2024); Commercial Litigation (2017)
  • Super Lawyers Magazine, Super Lawyers (2006-2023)
  • Best Lawyers, South Florida’s Best Lawyers (2022)
  • Best Lawyers, Women in the Law, Appellate Practice (2017-2020)
  • Best Lawyers, Florida's Best Lawyers, Appellate Practice (2013-2017)
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer (2005-2020)
  • Super Lawyers Business Edition (2011, 2014, 2023)
  • Florida Trend Magazine, Florida Legal Elite, Appellate Practice Area (2009-2011, 2016)
  • FDLA's Annual Amicus Award (2009, 2011)
  • "AV Preeminent" by Martindale Hubbell
  • Blarly Loyalty Society 
  • Superlawyers 
  • Best Lawyers 2024 
  • Martindale-Hubbell 
  • Florida Bar 
Presentations

Speaking Engagements / Presentations

  • "Florida Construction Coverage and Legal Update," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2023
  • "Seeing Through Fraud in Auto Glass Litigation," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2023
  • "OSHA: Investigation, Findings, Application and Detection of Fraud in First Party Property Damage Estimates and Admissibility of OSHA requirements at Trial," FIFEC, 2023
  • "Florida Tort Reform and PIP Litigation – What Changed? and ABC’s and XYZ‘s Regarding EUO’s," GEICO, 2023
  • "Seeing Through Fraud in Auto Glass Litigation," Pearl Holding Group, 2023
  • "Top 10 Ways Your Appellate Lawyer Can Help You," Heritage, 2023
  • "Top 10 Ways Your Appellate Lawyer Can Help You," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2023
  • “Keeping Up with Construction Coverage: An Overview of Florida Law,” Kubicki Draper Construction Conference, 2022
  • "Making Auto Glass Litigation Transparent," National General, 2022
  • "Preserving the Record on Appeal: Objecting During Litigation," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2022
  • "Making Auto Glass Litigation Transparent," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2022
  • "Florida 4-Hour Law and Ethics Update," FIFEC, 2022
  • "SB76 Became Effective July 1, 2021, What Now?," Heritage, 2022
  • "Florida 4-Hour Law and Ethics Update," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2022
  • "The More the Merrier: Risk Transfer," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2022
  • "What’s New with You? Florida’s Amended Summary Judgment Standard," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2021
  • "Construction Defect Coverage Issues," Kubicki Draper Construction Conference, 2021
  • "The General Specifics on Liability for Injuries on Adjacent Properties," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2021
  • "Proposals for Settlement," Gainsco, 2020
  • "Coverage Considerations in Construction Defect Claims," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2020
  • "Coronavirus (Covid-19) and Business Interruption…What’s Covered?," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2020
  • "Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2020
  • "Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update," Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2020
  • "Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update," James River, 2020
  • "Florida’s Good Faith, Bad Faith and How to Avoid the Ugly in Claims Handling," RLI Insurance, 2020
  • "Civility Matters: Managing and Resisting the Temptation Toward Aggressive and Bad Behavior in Practice," ABA Annual Insurance Coverage Conference, 2020
  • "Florida Hold ‘Em Poker: Evaluating and Defending Attorney Fee Claims," Kubicki Draper, Go All In for KD’s Claim Game – First Party Property Conference, 2019
  • "Appellate and Post Trial Issues and Interlocutory Appeals – Writs and Appeals from Non-Final Orders," GEICO, 2018
  • "Managing the Catastrophic Claim," GEICO, 2018
  • "Assessing Homeowners’ Claims for Fraud Involving Airbnb or Home-Sharing Arrangements," Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC), 2018
  • "Managing the Catastrophic Claim," Windhaven, 2018
  • "Managing the Catastrophic/Complex Case from Coverage to Conclusion," American Bar Association, 2018
  • "Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update," GEICO, 2018
  • “Let the Wookie Write: Friend-of-the-Court Briefs,” The Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section, 2017
  • “Deciding Whether to Jump into the the Ring of Fire or Just Walk Away - To Appeal or Not to Appeal?," CLM Annual Conference, 2017
  • "Attorney's Fees," GEICO, 2016
  • "Teaching ‘Good Faith’ to prevent 'Bad Faith," CLM Annual Conference, 2016
  • "Sharing the Misery: The Defects with Construction Defect Coverage in Insurance Policies," CLM National Construction Claims Conference, 2016
  • "Risk Allocation: Contractual Indemnification, "Insured Contract" Coverage and "Additional Insured" Coverage & Restaurant and Fast Food Liability," CJW, 2015
  • "Indemnity Clauses in Construction," Builders, 2015
  • "PIP Hot Topics," GEICO, 2014
  • "Bad Faith: Top Ten Pitfalls," Gainsco, 2014
  • "Bad Faith Hot Topics," Windhaven, 2014
  • "Ethics for the Claims Professional," Gainsco, 2013
  • The Florida Bar Leadership Academy Program, 2013
  • "We've Got You Covered! Hot Topics in Florida Insurance Coverage Law," Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2012
  • "First Party Bad Faith, Ethics for the Insurance Claims Professionals, Spoliation, Insurance Coverage," First Protective, 2012
  • "Investigating Staged Accidents, Liens & Set Offs," GEICO, 2011
  • "Claims Handling Mediation Strategy Issues," First Protective/Front Line, 2011
  • "Florida Statute (6)(b) Defense," Nationwide, 2011
  • "Coverage/Setting Aside Defaults," Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2010
  • "Case Law Update for Trial Lawyers," American Board of Trial Advocates, Florida Chapter (FLABOTA), 2010
  • "Case Law and Legislative Update," Florida Liability Claims Conference, 2010
  • "Adjuster Ethics: An Overview of Applicable Regulations and Relevant Considerations," Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2009
  • "Set Offs and Liens," Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2009
  • "Defending and Evaluating Mold Claims," Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2008
  • "Premises Liability Law and Defenses," Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2007
  • "Indemnity Agreements, Premises Liability, Proposals for Settlement, Civil Remedies Statute," Travelers, 2006
  • "The Life of a Declaratory Judgment Coverage Action," GEICO, 2005
  • "Motions for Summary Judgment, Proposals for Settlement, Wrongful Death Issues, Bad Faith, The Life of a Declaratory Judgment Coverage Action" Zurich, 2005
  • "Florida Court System, Tort and Insurance Statutes, Case Law," FCCI, 2003
  • "Florida Court System," GEICO, 2003
  • "Florida Court System, Tort and Insurance Statutes, Tort Reform, Case Law," C.N.A., 2002
  • "Florida Case Law," Hanover, 2002
  • "Florida Court System, Tort and Insurance Statutes, Case Law," GEICO, 2002
  • "Florida Court System, Tort and Insurance Statutes, Case Law," Liberty Mutual, 2001
Authorships

Published Works

Experience

Past Employment Positions

  • Hon. Gisela Cardonne-Ely, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge Law Clerk
  • Overview
  • Practice Areas
  • Credentials
  • Presentations
  • Authorships
  • Experience

locations

Miami

Miami Office

9100 South Dadeland Blvd., Suite 1800
Miami, FL 33156

T: 305.374.1212 F: 305.374.7846

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Miami-Dade

Key West

Key West Office

402 Applerouth Lane, Suite 2C
Key West, FL 33040

T: 305.509.7300 F: 305.374.7846

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Monroe
Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale Office

110 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

T: 954.768.0011 F: 954.768.0514

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Broward
West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach Office

1700 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 800
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

T: 561.640.0303 F: 561.640.0524

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Indian River | Martin | Okeechobee | Palm Beach | Saint Lucie

Tampa

Tampa Office

400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 1200
Tampa, FL 33602

T: 813.204.9776 F: 813.204.9660

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Hernando | Hillsborough | Manatee | Pasco | Pinellas | Polk | Sarasota
Orlando

Orlando Office

201 South Orange Avenue, Suite 475
Orlando, FL 32801

T: 407.245.3630 F: 407.245.7685

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Brevard | Highlands | Orange | Osceola | Seminole
Ocala

Ocala Office

1396 NE 20th Avenue, #500
Ocala, FL 34470

T: 352.622.4222 F: 352.622.9122

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Alachua | Citrus | Dixie | Gilchrist | Lake | Levy | Marion | Putnam | Sumter | Volusia
Jacksonville

Jacksonville Office

1 Independent Drive, Suite 1601
Jacksonville, FL 32202

T: 904.396.0062 F: 904.396.0380

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Baker | Bradford | Clay | Columbia | Duval | Flagler | Hamilton | Nassau | Saint Johns | Union
Pensacola

Pensacola Office

125 West Romana Street, Suite 550
Pensacola, FL 32502

T: 850.434.0003 F: 850.434.0223

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Escambia | Holmes | Okaloosa | Santa Rosa | Walton

Tallahassee

Tallahassee Office

1705 Metropolitan Boulevard, Suite 202
Tallahassee, FL 32308

T: 850.222.5188 F: 850.222.5108

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Bay | Calhoun | Franklin | Gadsden | Gulf | Jackson | Jefferson | Leon | Liberty | Wakulla | Washington | Madison | Lafayette | Taylor 

Ft. Myers

Ft. Myers Office

13350 Metro Parkway, Suite 201
Fort Myers, FL 33966

T: 239.334.8403 F: 239.939.0700

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Charlotte | Collier | DeSoto | Glades | Hardee | Hendry | Lee

Mobile

Mobile Office

11 North Water Street, Suite 10290
Mobile, AL 36602

T: 251.308.3351 F: 251.287.1624

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Baldwin | Washington | Clarke | Escambia | Covington | Geneva | Houston | Henry |  Dale | Coffee | Barbour | Pike |Crenshaw | Butler  | Monroe | Clarke | Choctaw | Wilcox | Bullock | Russell

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Our Firm

our hi(story)

In 1963, Gene Kubicki founded the firm based on dedication to excellence. The same high standards have been maintained for over five decades -- years which have seen the firm’s ranks swell to over 200 attorneys.

ourattorneys

Our team knows return clients are the life blood of any law firm and this is why we ensure client satisfaction by an exacting attention to service and quality.  Client service coupled with a spectacular work ethic, makes our team hard to beat.

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ourDIVERSITY

Kubicki Draper is committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity for success and believes diversity is not only a moral imperative, but is also sound business practice.

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ourPractices

In response to the growing needs of its clients, the firm began expanding in the early 1980's and today is a diverse full-service law firm providing trial, appellate, coverage, commercial and real estate transaction services.

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ourresults

Kubicki Draper enjoys a national reputation for expertise in the handling of complex, high stakes litigation matters, as well as, appellate, general commercial and real estate practice.

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ourreach

With a dozen offices throughout the State of Florida and other key points in the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississipi, our firm is familiar to every venue statewide and will never get home-teamed.

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