C.J. Gomes is a partner practicing in the Jacksonville office. Her practice focuses primarily on insurance defense, including pre-suit advisement and consultation on claims handling and complex coverage issues, insurer bad faith/extra-contractual liability, and appeals.

C.J. offers her clients a full range of insurance coverage services, including prosecuting or defending declaratory judgment lawsuits, providing coverage opinions, obtaining, and advising on, examinations under oath, and preparing reservation of rights and claim denial letters.  She advises insurers on a variety of coverage issues and investigations involving auto, property, umbrella, commercial general liability, homeowners, disability, employment practices liability, and professional malpractice policies.  C.J. routinely consults and advises clients on pre-suit claims handling issues or concerns, including claims involving alleged bad faith/extra-contractual liability, civil remedy notices, multiple claimants/inadequate limits, and settlement negotiations involving unique conditions.

In addition, a significant portion of C.J.’s practice involves assisting and advising insurers operating outside of Florida with handling and responding to claims arising within Florida, including responding to insurance disclosure requests, civil remedy notices, PIP lawsuits or demands, choice of law issues, extra-contractual liability allegations, general claims handling concerns, coverage issues, and more.

C.J. is an approved instructor through the Florida Department of Financial Services and is available to provide in-house training and seminars for insurers on various claims handling, coverage, and bad faith topics.  Specific seminars are also available upon request.

In 2000, C.J. began her legal career as a clerk at an appellate law firm in central Florida. She remained employed in the legal field through high school, college, and law school, giving her practical experience in addition to her education.  After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Legal Studies, C.J. attended law school where she served as the president of a nationally ranked Moot Court Honor Board. In addition to her duties on the executive committee, she was involved in five moot court competitions, winning six awards, including two Best Advocate awards. In addition, she interned with the United States Attorney’s Office, specializing in crimes against children. Upon graduation, she received an advanced legal research and writing certificate.

C.J. lives in Jacksonville with her husband and three young children. She is a lover of animals and an avid jogger, completing her first marathon in 2019.  C.J. is active with the Jacksonville Humane Society and several local organizations providing support to women and children.

Admissions

• Florida, 2011
• United States District Court
  • Middle District of Florida, 2012

Memberships

• The Florida Bar
• American Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association