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Billie Bellamy — Partner
Billie L. Bellamy

Carlos Marante — Partner
Carlos M. Marante

Partner

Billie L. Bellamy

Ms. Bellamy is a partner practicing primarily in first party property and insurance coverage matters. She spent the first ten years of her career with a prominent Orlando insurance defense firm, representing insurance carriers and insureds in first and third-party claims in the areas of homeowners insurance law, with a focus on sinkhole and property damage litigation, as well as auto negligence, premises liability, rental car law, and appellate law. Ms. Bellamy spent the next two years with a prominent Orlando Plaintiff’s firm representing hospitals and physicians in the area of Personal Injury Protection law. Since joining Groelle & Salmon in 2015, Ms. Bellamy has focused primarily on first party property insurance defense claims. She graduated from Barry University School of Law, where she was Valedictorian of her graduating class. She is licensed to practice in all state courts of Florida as well as the United States District Court for the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida.

Professional Background:

Groelle & Salmon, P.A.
-Orlando, Florida

Bradford, Cederberg, P.A.
-Orlando, Florida

Cameron, Hodges, Coleman, LaPointe & Wright, P.A.
-Orlando, Florida

Education:

Barry University School of Law, J.D., Valedictorian
-State University of New York at Fredonia, B.S., Cum Laude

Bar Admissions:

Florida Bar
-United States District Court Middle District of Florida
-United States District Court Northern District of Florida

Office Location::Orlando, FL

Partner

Bruce A. Epple

Bruce A. Epple is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office handling first party property and insurance coverage matters. He has a long history of civil litigation and trial experience handling third party and first party insurance claims, both pre-suit and litigation, in almost every venue in Florida and he has personally participated as first chair attorney in over 20 civil jury trials through verdict during his lengthy legal career.

Before joining the firm, Mr. Epple served 12 years as Senior In-House Staff Counsel for The Hartford Insurance Group. His prior insurance defense experience also includes representation of a wide variety of insurance carriers. He has served in the past as a Certified Circuit Court Mediator and for four years operated his own Mediation practice.

Mr. Epple grew up in Orlando, FL and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1977, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He then attended law school and obtained his Juris Doctor degree, Cum Laude, from Stetson College of Law in 1980. He is licensed to practice in all state courts of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Bruce is an avid supporter of the UCF Knights (“Charge On!”) and enjoys attending live sporting events throughout the state whenever his schedule permits.

Education:

Stetson College of Law , J.D., Cum Laude

University of Central Florida, B.A., Summa Cum Laude

Bar Admissions:

Florida Bar
-United States District Court Middle District of Florida

Office Location::Orlando, FL

Partner

Carlos M. Marante

Mr. Marante joined Groelle & Salmon, P.A., as an associate in the firm’s Miami office in 2017. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Marante obtained valuable experience in the areas of personal injury litigation and property and contract disputes. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida, and received his Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law. Mr. Marante now practices in the area of first-party insurance defense, with a focus on residential property claims investigation and litigation. Mr. Marante is fluent in Spanish.

Bar Admissions:

Florida Bar
-Middle District of Florida

Education:

Barry university School of Law

University of Florida, B.A.

Office Location::Orlando, FL

Associate

Diva N. Totten

Diva Totten is an associate attorney in our Maitland office practicing in the area of first-party insurance defense, with an emphasis on residential property claims, investigation, and litigation. Prior to joining Groelle & Salmon, Ms. Totten worked for an insurance defense firm also concentrating in the area of first-party insurance defense for residential property claims. Aside from Ms. Totten’s defense background, she also has ample experience practicing in the areas of law involving real estate, business litigation, creditor’s rights, landlord/tenant disputes, plaintiff’s foreclosure litigation, HOA/Condo litigation, title and lien clearing, and probate. Additionally, Ms. Totten gained invaluable experience clerking for the current Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, the Honorable Donald A. Myers, Jr.

Ms. Totten earned her law degree from Barry University School of Law, where she served as the Research & Technical Editor for the Barry Law Review, a Dean’s Writing Fellow, and a Legal Research & Writing Teaching Assistant.

Ms. Totten is a member of the Florida Bar, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association. Ms. Totten is licensed to practice law in all Florida Courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Partner

Jason J. Sexton

Jason Sexton is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office, with his practice focused primarily on first party property disputes and litigation. In addition to his extensive experience representing insurers in all types of property damage claims, including both pre-suit and in litigation, he has also defended a wide array of third-party premises liability and property damage claims against insureds, giving him significant experience and perspective in identifying and analyzing potential subrogation, and other exposure shifting, issues for his clients.
As a part of his practice, Mr. Sexton has handled both residential and commercial property damage claims, including those caused by hurricane and windstorm, lightning, hail, fire, water intrusion, plumbing/”slab” leaks, sinkhole, and vandalism/theft.

Prior to joining Groelle and Salmon, Mr. Sexton worked for many years in insurance defense, and prior to that developed significant trial and courtroom experience as an Assistant Public Defender. Mr. Sexton received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School. He is licensed to practice in all state courts of Florida, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and maintains an inactive license in Tennessee.

Mr. Sexton is a native Floridian, and was born and raised in the suburbs of Orlando. Outside of the office, Mr. Sexton enjoys spending time with his family, visiting the theme parks, and is an avid fan of horror movies.

Partner

Robert B. Dehne

Robert “Bobby” Dehne is a partner managing the firm’s Orlando office, and focuses his practice primarily on first party property and insurance coverage matters. He has extensive experience in handling all types of property damage claims, both pre-suit and litigation, and has actively participated in a large number of SIU/fraud investigations.

Mr. Dehne is a certified Florida instructor of insurance adjuster continuing education, and has presented insurance seminars to insurance claims staff and professionals around the Country. Over the years, Mr. Dehne has handled property losses caused by hurricane, windstorm, lightning, hail, fire, water intrusion, plumbing leaks, sinkhole, and theft.

Mr. Dehne is rated AV by the Martindale Hubbell professional rating organization upon review by his peers; the highest rating conferred on practicing attorneys by the Martindale Hubbell organization. Further, Mr. Dehne has been selected to the Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star list from 2017 through 2022, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice.

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Dehne received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and his Juris Doctor from the Florida Coastal School of Law located in Jacksonville, Florida. He is licensed to practice in all state courts of Florida, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
In his free time, Mr. Dehne enjoys spending time with his family, watching football, playing golf, and coaching his son’s football team. Mr. Dehne is also an avid Green Bay Packers, Florida State Seminoles, and UCF Knights’ fan.

Office Location::Orlando, FL

Associate

Sergio C. Muniz

Sergio Muñiz is an associate primarily focusing his practice on first party property claims and third-party liability representing insurance companies. He has extensive experience in many types of property damage claims, from pre-suit through litigation. While with Groelle & Salmon, he secured a directed verdict in Indian River County on a third-party liability claim for a residential homeowner. He also has experience representing sureties in construction payment and performance bond litigation involving all types of public and private construction project, including construction litigation. In addition, his practice involves Federal government contracts, claims, contractor disputes, bid protests before the GAO and prime/subcontractor disputes. He has extensive experience in Federal government claims and contract litigation before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and various agency board of contract appeals. He has also defended contractors against government claims.

Mr. Muñiz also has experience representing creditors in bankruptcy court, including litigating in adversary proceedings enforcing creditor’s rights.

Mr. Muñiz served in the Air Force as a JAG Officer, attaining the rank of Major.

Education:
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, B.S. Operations Research
University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX, J.D.

Bar Admissions:
Florida
Texas
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
United States Court of Federal Claims

Partner

Sydjia T. Robinson

Sydjia T. Robinson is a Partner at Groelle Salmon P.A. Her practice areas include property and casualty claims as well as general and commercial litigation. Sydjia also has experience in foreclosure defense, probate, and appellate practice.

Sydjia earned her law degree from the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando, Florida. During law school, Sydjia was a member of Trial Team and won an ABA-sponsored national trial competition. Sydjia also served as the treasurer for the Black Law Student Association and as a research assistant to Professor F.E. Guerra-Pujol.

Prior to attending law school, Sydjia earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science/Sports Management from the University of Florida.

As an avid advocate for community service, Sydjia served as a volunteer at the Legal Aid Society for the Orange County Bar Association.

Outside the office, Sydjia enjoys traveling, cross-stitching, reading, and spending time with her family. Born in Jamaica and raised in Tarpon Springs, Sydjia is happy to consider Florida her home.

Associate

Carrington M. Mead

Carrington Madison Mead is an associate attorney in our Maitland office practicing in the area of first-party insurance defense. Prior to joining Groelle & Salmon, Mr. Mead was an associate general counsel handling first-party insurance claims on behalf of one of Florida’s largest private home insurers as a defense attorney throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Mead also has almost twenty years of legal experience as an attorney, and brings extensive experience in other areas of law which is helpful in assisting clients on issues that may be unique to their particular matter.

Aside from Mr. Mead’s background in first-party insurance claims, he also is a nationally recognized expert in LGBTQ+ matters, has engaged in intense litigation involving probate, estate planning, guardianship, unique adoption matters, business formations, contracts, family matters, federal litigation, veterans issues, and other litigation matters, which also includes appellate work.
Mr. Mead received his Juris Doctorate in 2003, and an undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of North Florida in 2000, prior to attending law school, while minoring in accounting. Along with being a member of the Florida State Bar, he is also a member of the Middle District Court of Florida, and the Northern District Court of Florida.

When not working, Mr. Mead enjoys fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. He also enjoys participating in biological surveys of the flora and fauna of Florida conducted by biologists, which allows him to use his advanced certification as a Florida Master Naturalist through the University of Florida. When he isn’t outside enjoying the weather he spends time with his family and what has been described as his personal petting zoo at home.

Associate

Jennifer M. Manyen

Jennifer M. Manyen is an associate attorney in the Orlando office. Prior to joining Groelle & Salmon she spent the first six years of her career representing clients whose civil rights had been violated, wrongfully convicted, or misrepresented by their attorneys. Her experience in depositions, hearings, mediations, trials, and oral arguments have resulted in their cases being dismissed, overturned, reduced, and settled in both State and Federal Courts.

Recently, Ms. Manyen’s practice has focused on first party property insurance claims. Her extensive background has allowed her to view property damage claims with a critical eye to combat contractors who solicit homeowners and suggest immediate litigation.

Background

Jennifer M. Manyen attained her Juris Doctorate degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical College of Law, and her Bachelor degree, in Political Science, from the University of Central Florida.

While attending law school she clerked at a national appellate litigation firm where she drafted numerous state and federal direct appeals, post-conviction petitions, and writs of habeas corpus.

Prior to attending law school, Jennifer, was a long time business professional in property management where she utilized Landlord Tenant Law and the Fair Housing laws in Florida and Arizona on a daily basis.

Jennifer grew up in Michigan in a blended middle class family that instilled in her a strong work ethic. She was the third child of a family of seven. This family dynamic required her to learn at a very young age how her arguments could be heard and recognized. Her love for warmer weather has led her to claim Florida as her home.