The Managing Member of Sylvester Law Center is Edward Sylvester. Ed has represented insurance companies for more than twenty-four years interpreting insurance contracts in complex coverage and extra-contractual claims. Ed is actively licensed to practice law in all Florida State and Federal Courts. Ed also maintains active licensure in all Ohio State and Federal Courts. Regardless of the type of case or stage of litigation facing the clientele of Sylvester Law Center, Ed personally oversees each matter.
Ed has been involved in many significant cases interpreting an insurance company’s rights and duties under various policies, including the following selections:
- Klohr v. Mid-Continent E&S Ins. Co., No. 9:18-CV-80761 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 25, 2019);
- Health First, Inc. v. Capitol Specialty Ins. Corp., No. 17-11181 (11th Cir. Aug. 22, 2018);
- Highland Holdings, Inc. v. Mid-Continent Cas. Co., No. 16-14981 (11th Cir. May 2, 2017);
- Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. Royal Crane, LLC, 169 So. 3d 174 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015);
- King Cole Condo. Ass’n v. Mid-Continent Cas. Co., 21 F. Supp. 3d 1296 (S.D. Fla. 2014);
- J.B.D. Constr., Inc. v. Mid-Continent Cas. Co., 571 F. App’x 918 (11th Cir. 2014);
- Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. Am. Pride Bldg. Co., 601 F.3d 1143 (11th Cir. 2010);
- Allen v. Johnson, 100 Ohio St. 3d 276, 798 N.E.2d 591 (Ohio 2003);
- Mazza v. Am. Cont’l Ins. Co., 2003-Ohio-360 (Ct. App.);
- Bubp v. Am. Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co., 2003-Ohio-5750 (Ct. App.); and
- Acuity v. McCulley, 208 F. Supp. 2d 860 (N.D. Ohio 2002).
Ed, and the Sylvester Law Center, can assist any carrier, TPA or MGA with a wide variety of commercial, professional and personal policies—for surplus lines and admitted carriers—including, but not limited to, the following categories:
- commercial excess
- commercial umbrella
- commercial general liability
- commercial/personal auto
- commercial property
- health/health-related
- cyber/cyber-risk
- architects and engineers
- directors and officers
- errors and omissions
- RV and trucking
- personal injury protection
- homeowners
- reinsurance
- uninsured/underinsured motorist
- life/occupational/disability
- travel
- and more!
Laura Garcia Triana is an Associate Attorney at Sylvester Law Center. With a strong background in insurance disputes, Laura’s practice focuses on representing insurance companies in first-party and third-party insurance matters involving commercial general liability policies, personal and commercial automobile policies, commercial property policies, and umbrella liability policies, including but not limited to, pre-suit and post-suit analysis and litigation of claims regarding uninsured/underinsured motorists, construction defect, bodily injury, property damage, catastrophic loss, and bad faith.
Prior to joining Sylvester Law Center, Laura gained valuable experience in insurance law, serving as in-house counsel for a national title insurance company and later as coverage counsel for a state-backed insurer. Her diverse experience has given her a well-rounded perspective on risk management, claims handling, and regulatory compliance in the insurance industry.
Laura was raised in Miami, Florida and earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. In her spare time, you can find Laura at the local dog park training her energetic Australian Cattle Dog named Skid Boot.
Raquel Gates is a Law Clerk at Sylvester Law Center. Under the guidance of attorneys at Sylvester Law Center, Raquel is involved in third-party insurance disputes involving commercial general liability policies and excess liability policies, including but not limited to, pre-suit analysis and litigation of construction defect claims, bodily injury claims, and catastrophic loss.
During her university studies, Raquel gained valuable experience and a strong understanding of litigation as a legal assistant, supporting attorneys in personal injury and criminal law matters. She also volunteered her time at a Title 1 middle school in Melbourne focused on the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) college readiness program, community involvement, and serving the underserved student population, as well as the nonprofit Brevard County Legal Aid.
Raquel is a native of Melbourne, Florida. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Central Florida and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando, Florida. In her free time, Raquel enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and walking on the idyllic beaches.
Terry works in the dual capacity of Office Manager and Certified Paralegal at Sylvester Law Center.
Terry is a NALA Certified Paralegal and Florida Registered Paralegal with over 30 years of experience working in Florida and Ohio law offices. While Terry has supported attorneys primarily in the areas of insurance defense, insurance coverage, and litigation, Terry also has experience in the areas of probate, corporate, family law, bankruptcy, workers’ compensation, and personal injury. Terry started as a receptionist for an office supply company in Cleveland, Ohio after graduating high school and later began her career path as a receptionist in a small law office. Through self-study and mentoring by the most patient and understanding attorneys and staff over the years, Terry transitioned to a legal assistant, then was encouraged to enter the paralegal profession upon moving to Florida.
When not “on the clock,” Terry loves spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors, theme parks, movies, games, and rescue pets — four dogs and a cat.