Our 2020 Risk Management Seminar was another success! THANK YOU to the almost 60 firms in attendance and THANK YOU to our incredibly knowledgeable speakers! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.
Check back soon for upcoming seminars
2020 Seminar Speakers & Topics
Presentation by James R. Case: So You Thought Breach of Contract and Professional Negligence Claims Were Your Only Concern; Extra-Contractual Claims Faced by Design Professionals
Jim, a graduate of St. John’s University, is a member of Dykema Gossett law firm. Jim belongs to the Michigan and Detroit Bar Associations, the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, and the International Association of Defense Council.
Presentation by Roseanne DeBellis: They Agreed (or did not Agree) to DO WHAT?
Roseanne DeBellis is a Divisional Assistant Vice President at Great American Insurance Group. In her role as a Divisional AVP, Roseanne is the lead on Design Professional Claims and also provides risk management services to agents and insureds. Prior to joining Great American, Roseanne served as a Claims Manager and Director of Risk Management for the Architects and Engineers Claims at Navigators Insurance Company. Roseanne has more than 14 years of professional liability experience and has previously held other senior claims management positions at both HCC Specialty, a subsidiary of Tokio Marine HCC, and Beazley Insurance Company. She began her career in private practice, defending design professionals against errors and omission claims arising from complex construction projects.
Roseanne received her J.D. from Pace University School of Law and graduated with a B.A. in political science from the State University of New York at Albany. She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in the states of New York and Connecticut. In addition, she holds adjuster licenses in various jurisdictions.
Presentation by Thomas F. Waggoner: Copyright Protection for Architectural Plans and Works
Tom is a shareholder of Straub, Seaman & Allen, P.C. with offices in Michigan and Indiana. Tom completed his B.A. at Indiana State University, summa cum laude, his J.D. at the University of Notre Dame Law School, and his L.L.M. in Taxation at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan and Indiana and the United States Tax Court. The primary focus of his practice is the representation of architects and engineers.
Presented by: Professional Underwriters, Inc.
Brett Coleman joined us in 2005 and currently is co-owner of Professional Underwriters, Inc. For the past 15 years he has specialized in the managing of risk for Design Professionals. Prior to joining PUI, he spent time working with underwriters from the St. Paul Travelers Architects and Engineers division in Baltimore, Maryland and with the Architects and Engineers department of Victor O. Schinnerer/CNA. Brett holds a license for Property and Casualty Insurance, as well as for Life & Health Insurance. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of a/e ProNet.
Robert L. Coleman’s life-long commitment to the insurance industry spans four decades, from claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance in 1962, to agent/co-owner of Professional Underwriters, Inc. from 1974 to the present with offices in Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan. Bob’s commitment to specialized insurance for the design professional began in 1974; since then, he has worked closely with his clients and the insurance markets focusing on the unique exposures and risk management solutions for architects and engineers. Bob is the past president of a/e ProNet, an international organization of insurance agents specializing in insurance for the Design Professional. Bob has been an active member of the AIA, MSA, NSPE, MSPE, and ACEC/MI. He has served on the insurance and risk management committees for various associations, insurance companies, and the State of Michigan. He currently serves on the ACEC/MI, Business Practices Committee. Bob has been a participant in over 225 national, regional, and in-house design firm loss control and risk management seminars across the country over the last 50 years.
Leah Fritch joined PUI in July of 2011. She is a licensed property and casualty agent and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. For almost 12 years she has specialized in commercial lines insurance and account management for professional organizations, including Design Professionals. Leah truly enjoys helping people with their insurance needs. When she is not in the office she enjoys camping, gardening, boating and spending time with family.
Melissa Merriman joined PUI in 2011 with almost 8 years of insurance experience. Melissa began her insurance career in personal lines but has added commercial lines insurance to her resume over the years. She obtained her property and casualty license, as well as life & health, in 2005. She also received her Certified Insurance Service Representative designation in 2006. Outside the office she enjoys the outdoors, playing sports and traveling.
Ronnie Sosin is a licensed State of Michigan Property & Casualty Insurance Agent with almost 15 years of experience in commercial insurance exposure. He has an extensive background in the insurance industry. His experience includes several varying Agency environments. Working in these different environments has allowed him to gain an excellent understanding and perception of the clients’ insurance needs. He has a solid knowledge of commercial insurance including Professional Liability, Management Liability, General Liability, Property, Business Auto, Workers Compensation, Inland Marine, Cyber Liability and more. Ronnie rejoined PUI in June of 2019 and is very excited to be back working with the specialty niche group of Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors at PUI. Ronnie really enjoys working with Design Professionals which makes coming back to PUI feel like coming home. When Ronnie is not working he enjoys working out, personal training, engaging in any kind of outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife Amanda and his Boston Terrier, Murphy.