James focuses his practice on the investigation and litigation of Special Investigative Unit and property damage claims, including arson, mold and automobile thefts. Within his areas of practice, James is experienced in the bad faith and coverage issues inherent in first party/SIU investigations and litigation. Throughout his career, James has assisted with hundred's of SIU investigations relative to reported vehicle thefts, burglaries and incendiary fires. He is frequently asked by clients and industry organizations to lecture on a variety of topics concerning property damage, insurance fraud and bad faith matters.
James is a 1990 graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Immediately following graduation, he worked as a claims representative with a large insurance carrier, where for eight years he was involved in the investigation and resolution of property and casualty claims. In 1995, he entered Temple University School of Law while continuing to work full time. James graduated from Temple University in 1999 with a degree of juris doctor. Thereafter, he joined Marshall Dennehey and is currently chair of the firm's SIU Litigation and Property Litigation Practice Groups.
Published Works
· "Game, Set, Match The Pennsylvania Superior Court Clarifies Whether An Insurance Company Owes To Match," Defense Digest, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2008
· "When an Insured Fires a Public Adjuster: The Sequel," Defense Digest, Vol. 12, No. 4, December 2006
· 'Direct Physical Loss Does Not Equal Direct Physical Damage: The Third Circuit Expands the Scope of Property Insurance Coverage," Defense Digest, Vol. 11, No. 4, December 2005
· "When The Insured Fires A Public Adjuster," Defense Digest, Vol. 11, No. 1, March 2005
· "Pennsylvania Superior Court Clarifies Application of Depreciation in Homeowners Policies," Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 1, June 2004
Classes/Seminars Taught
· "Managing Public Adjuster Issues," IFMC - Insurance Fraud Management Conference, Phoenix, AZ, March, 2012
· "Proper Interaction and the Role of the Public Adjuster During an Arson Investigation," ICAC - National Arson Training Seminar, Las Vegas, NV, February, 2012
· 2011 ACFE Conference - San Diego, CA - Insurance Fraud
· 2011 Pennsylvania Fraud Conference, Hershey, PA - Litigation Strategies for Combating Fraudulent Hail Claims
· 2011 IFM Conference, Amelia Island, Florida - Managing the Public Adjuster Process
· 2010 NJSIA Conference, Atlantic City, NJ - Homeowner Fraud
· 2010 NICB Hail Fraud Awareness Conference, West Deptford, New Jersey, Civil Litigation Strategies for Combating Fraudulent Hail Claims
· 2010 Combating Insurance Fraud Conference, Conshohocken, PA - The Importance of a Complete Investigation
· 2010 IASIU Conference, Orlando, FL - Public Adjusters an SIU Perspective
· 2010 Pennsylvania Fraud Conference, Gettysburg, PA -Public Adjusters An SIU Perspective
· 2009 IASIU Conference - Palm Desert, CA - SIU and the Public Adjuster Represented
· 2009 PLRB Conference - Seattle, WA - Cooperative Arson Investigations
· 2008 PAMIC Conference - Harrisburg, PA - Property Claims Overview
· 2006 IASIU Conference - La Quinta, CA - Investigating Fraudulent Claims and Reporting Requirements
· Local and National Presentations to Clients on: Application Fraud; PIP Fraud; Automobile Theft Fraud; Medical Fraud; Special Disaster Fraud; Arson Investigations and Bad Faith
Associations & Memberships
· Bucks County Bar Association
· Pennsylvania Bar Association
· International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU)
· Insurance Committee for Arson Control
Honors & Awards
· National Insurance Crime Bureau, Certificate of Appreciation, 2010
Year Joined Organization: 1999
Publications
On The Pulse...Special Investigative Unit Practice Group Profile
Defense Digest Article · June 1, 2009
The economic slowdown has effected the entire nation and has brought with it sharp increases in the unemployment rate, foreclosures, repossessions, and bankruptcies. The financial hardships many are experiencing have correlated to an increase in..., Defense Digest, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 2009
News
James H. Cole (Doylestown, PA) addressed the topic of "Property Insurance Fraud"
January 12, 2012
James H. Cole (Doylestown, PA) addressed the topic of "Property Insurance Fraud" as the guest speaker for an audio conference presented by Lorman Education Services. With the current financial crisis, property insurance fraud is gaining prominence, as insureds, contractors and body shops are faced...
Events
Insurance Fraud Perspectives 2012 SIU Fraud Seminar
Seminar · Jun 7, 2012