Mr. Paul Wayne Pickering

Mr. Pickering’s legal experience includes many years of experience at both the trial and appellate level in numerous facets of insurance litigation, including coverage issues, bad faith and extra-contractual claims, as well as litigating professional liability claims against insurance agents, brokers and claims adjusters. Mr. Pickering’s experience also includes the representation of automobile manufacturers and manufacturers of commercial equipment and consumer products in products liability actions and warranty claims. Mr. Pickering also has authored or co-authored numerous articles and edited treatises in the field of insurance law.

Clerkships

•Intern for the Hon. Lynn N. Hughes, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1989

Employment

Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, 2009 - present

Fowler Rodriguez, 2006 - 2009

Spain Hastings & Ward, 2005 - 2006

McGlinchey Stafford/Gascoyne & Bullion, P.C., 2000 - 2005

Gaddis & Associates, 1999 - 2000

Benckenstein & Oxford, 1995 - 1999

Gilpin, Paxson & Bersch, 1990 - 1995

Deaton & Briggs, 1990

Tenneco Oil Company, 1982 - 1989, Financial Analyst

Marathon Oil Company, 1978 - 1982, Accountant and Financial Analyst

Publications

“Eliminating Frivolous Lawsuits Against Agents: Recent Changes to The Texas Insurance Code Regarding Hail and Windstorm Claims.” Published in the Fall 2017 issue of the Houston Insurance News discussing significant 2017 legislation which amended the Texas Insurance Code regarding lawsuits arising out of insurance claims for hail or windstorm damage.

“Texas Annotated Insurance Code.” Contributing editor responsible for supplying statutory analysis for portions of the Texas Insurance Code, related case law annotations, and practice tips to assist insurance law practitioners. (2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 editions)

“Texas Surplus Lines Regulations - Recent Legislation.” Three-hour continuing education seminar presentation to Independent Insurance Agents of Houston outlining the current state of Texas surplus lines regulations following the federal Non-Admitted & Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 (“NARRA”) and recent Texas legislation to bring the Texas Insurance Code into compliance with NARRA mandates. (June 2013)

“Cornell's Texas Annotated Insurance Code.” Contributing editor and author for chapters pertaining to agents’ and brokers’ liability, featuring an overview of the applicable body of law, case law annotations, practice tips and other information of value to the insurance law practitioner, such as legislative history pertaining to those chapters of the Insurance Code (2008 and 2010 editions).

“Don’t Take ‘No’ For An Answer: A Discussion of Recent Cases From the Supreme Court of Texas Affecting Your Rights As A Policyholder.” Author of paper and presentation delivered to the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) regarding an insured’s coverage rights and obligations once litigation ensues or is threatened (October 2008).

“Overview of Insurance Agents’ and Brokers’ Errors & Omissions Liability.” Co-author of a continuing legal education paper featuring a discussion of the various duties and obligations owed by insurance agents or brokers under Texas law. (Originally published in 1997, and republished and updated in 2006 and 2008.)

“Legal Research Without Westlaw: Free Legal Research Databases Available On The Internet.” Author of paper and continuing legal education presentation at “The Ultimate Insurance Seminar,” Dallas, 2000.

“Handling Insurance Claims in Texas. ” Co-author of paper and related presentation for insurance clients for their continuing education and training purposes (1997 and 1998).

“Defending Personal Injury Claims.” Co-author of paper and related presentation to the annual legal liability seminar co-sponsored by the law firm of Gilpin, Paxson & Bersch and the Greater Houston Builders Association (1993 and 1994).

“Workers’ Compensation Law in Texas.” Author of paper and presentation to the annual legal liability seminar cosponsored by the law firm of Gilpin, Paxson & Bersch and the Greater Houston Builders Association (1993 and 1994).

“Texas Insurance Law Update.” Co-author of a monthly update on significant Texas insurance cases of universal interest to current and prospective insurance clients, Gilpin, Paxson & Bersch (1993 - 1995).

“Overcoming Jury Bias.” Co-author of paper presented at the Insurance Law Seminar sponsored by the University of Houston (1993 and 1994.)

SEMINARS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

“Soriano and Settlement Strategies After OGA Charters.” Advanced Insurance Law Seminar. (June 2019)

“Reducing Insurers’ Bad Faith Litigation Exposure in Reasonable Settlement Offers.” Member of a three-person panel for continuing education presentation sponsored by The Knowledge Group to discuss strategies to avoid or defend litigation relating to handling of insurance claims. (March 2017)

“Texas Surplus Lines Regulations - Recent Legislation.” Three-hour continuing education seminar presentation to Independent Insurance Agents of Houston outlining the current state of Texas surplus lines regulations following the federal Non-Admitted & Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 (“NARRA”) and recent Texas legislation to bring the Texas Insurance Code into compliance with NARRA mandates. (June 2013)

“Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ike.” Three-hour seminar presented to the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston summarizing accumulated experience in five years of representing insurers, agents, and adjusters in litigation arising out of insurance claims submitted for hurricane property damage. (May 2013)

“Texas Surplus Lines Insurance - Avoiding Unauthorized Insurance.” One-hour seminar presentation to client groups regarding developments in Texas surplus lines insurance law. (May and November 2012)

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

•MDJW First Friday Webinar - Reservations of Rights and the Insurer’s Continuing Right to Retain Defense Counsel: Myths and Misconceptions
March 6, 2015
Wayne Pickering - Presenter
•MDJW First Friday Webinar - Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ike
June 7, 2013
Wayne Pickering. Presenter
•2012 MDJW Central Texas Insurance Seminar
November 9, 2012

•2012 MDJW South Texas Insurance Seminar
May 11, 2012