HL Law Group

OUR TEAM

Founding Partner & President

Harold Y. Levy, Esq.

FOUNDING PARTNER & PRESIDENT

Harold Y. Levy is the Founding Partner and President of HL Law Group since he started the Firm in October 2008. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his J.D. from New York Law School in New York City, finishing in the top 3% of his class and graduating Magna Cum Laude. At New York Law School, he earned a Certificate of Merit for his work as a Notes and Comments Editor for the New York Law School Law Review. Prior to starting HL Law Group, he worked as a real estate and property insurance attorney for over 20 years.
Mr. Levy has a deep understanding of how the insurance industry operates and is a strong advocate for his clients. Licensed in New York and Florida, the Firm’s headquarters are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but maintains an office in New York City to handle residential and commercial insurance claims in New York. Mr. Levy employs a hands-on approach to his management style, working closely with his excellent staff of Managing Partners, Associate Attorneys and stellar support staff. Mr. Levy is always willing to speak with clients and answer questions to provide strategic, comprehensive legal advice in commercial or residential insurance matters.

Managing Partners

Brian Lewis, Esq.

MANAGING PARTNER

Brian Lewis was named HL Law Group’s first Managing Partner in 2021. Mr. Lewis has been a major contributor at HL Law Group since he joined the Firm in 2017.  During his tenure, Mr. Lewis has impressed clients, colleagues, staff and peers with his excellent legal acumen, dedication to his clients and his consistently excellent results.  Mr. Lewis has handled cases from inception, up through 1st chair of trial on behalf of policy holders. Mr. Lewis has obtained numerous judgments against Insurance Companies, in favor of policy holders on both denied and underpaid
claims. Additionally, Mr. Lewis has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of policy holders, with several recoveries resulting in seven figure settlements.

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Mr. Lewis graduated from the Charter School of Wilmington before attending the University of Delaware, where he received his bachelor’s degree.  Mr. Lewis completed law school at Widener University-Delaware Law School and relocated to Florida in 2015.  As a Managing Partner, Mr. Lewis oversees a group of attorneys, case managers and support staff and continues to remain instrumental to the Firm’s growth.

Meredith Truen, Esq.

MANAGING PARTNER

Meredith Truen has been with HL Law Group since 2018. During Ms. Truen’s tenure with HL Law Group, she has consistently provided top-notch services to the Firm’s clients and has helped to support the Firm’s culture of professionalism and intelligent lawyering. Ms. Truen graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2013 and then from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, in May 2016. Ms. Truen previously worked at People’s Trust Insurance Company as a summer legal intern and joined Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. as a law clerk and then as an associate attorney in November 2016. Ms. Truen was named a Managing Partner at HL Law Group in January-2022.

Dairon Montes de Oca, Esq.

MANAGING PARTNER

Dairon Montes de Oca joined HL Law Group in March-2018. Mr. Montes de Oca was born in Cuba, raised in New Jersey and moved to South Florida in 2006. He attended Florida International University and received his J.D. from St. Thomas University Law School in Miami. Mr. Montes de Oca worked as a litigation summer intern at a number of law firms and at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, working with Judges Mark A. Speiser, Charles M. Greene and Marc H. Gold. After passing the Florida Bar, Mr. Montes de Oca was hired as an associate attorney at Peterson Bernard in West
Palm Beach, FL, and focused his practice on insurance defense with an emphasis on the litigation of first party property claims. Mr. Montes de Oca is methodical and meticulous in his approach to lawyering with a constant focus on his clients. He is an adept communicator and technically savvy, having developed and solidified relationships with some of the Firm’s most sophisticated and important clients. Mr. Montes de Oca is approachable and personable in his interactions with others, with an instinct to help those in need. Mr. Montes de Oca has made and continues to make enormous contributions to the Firm’s success.

Bradley H. Stanton, Esq.

MANAGING PARTNER

Bradley H. Stanton has been with HL Law Group since 2019. Mr. Stanton has extensive experience handling first-party insurance claims on behalf of homeowners, business owners, commercial property owners, and contractors throughout Florida. Mr. Stanton received his Bachelors of Art from Walsh University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law. In addition to being admitted to the Florida Bar, he is admitted to practice in the United States Middle District of Florida (Federal) and United States Southern District of Florida (Federal). He has recovered millions on behalf of his clients to restore their homes and businesses.

Gil Kochavi, Esq.

MANAGING PARTNER

Gil Kochavi joined HL Law Group as an Associate Attorney in January 2021. Mr. Kochavi earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida, and his J.D. from Barry University’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law. Mr. Kochavi has extensive litigation experience and is primarily focused on representing residential and commercial policyholders in disputes against insurance carriers for claims which have been wrongfully denied or underpaid. Mr. Kochavi maintains a strong client-centric approach to ensure his clients’ needs always remain the top priority. Mr. Kochavi’s legal acumen and effective litigation has led to the recovery of tens of millions of dollars for policyholders.

Senior Attorneys

Terry Watson, Esq.

SENIOR TRIAL ATTORNEY

Terry Watson is a Florida Bar Board-Certified Trial Attorney and has been with HL Law Group since 2020. Mr. Watson has worked for some of the largest insurance companies and also has extensive experience working for insurance defense firms in private practice. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and received his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law. At the Firm, Mr. Watson assists in the development and implementation of the Firm’s trial processes and procedures, including training and working with all the Firm’s attorneys on trial preparation and strategy, and is involved in some of the Firm’s most complex cases.

Associate Attorneys

Lee A. Watson, Esq.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Lee A. Watson is from Cincinnati, Ohio and attended the University of Michigan as an undergrad, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Watson has practiced law in South Florida since graduating from Georgetown University Law Center. He began his legal career obtaining extensive trial experience as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County. He has gained experience trying cases on the civil side as well including first-party property cases. In addition to being admitted to the Florida Bar, Mr. Watson is licensed in the United States Southern District of Florida and has extensive experience in

civil litigation, insurance defense, real estate litigation, commercial litigation and mass tort litigation. Mr. Watson has represented some of the largest insurance companies, and brings that insight to help secure recovery of insurance benefits for homeowners and businesses. Mr. Watson enjoys sports, movies, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.

James Weick, Esq.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

James Weick, Esq. joined HL Law Group as an Associate Attorney in February 2023. Mr. Weick earned his Bachelors in Political Science and Business Logistics from John Carroll University, and his J.D. from Ohio Northern University. In addition to being licensed in Florida, he is also licensed in Ohio, the United States Supreme Court and the Southern, Middle and Northern District of Florida Federal Courts. Mr. Weick has extensive jury trial experience and is committed to representing policyholders whose insurance claims have been wrongfully denied or underpaid. In his free time, Mr. Weick enjoys spending time with his two children and indulging in his passion for golf.

Sandra Bahamonde, Esq.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Sandra Bahamonde previously represented insurance carriers in matters pertaining to bad faith litigation, fraud investigation, water damage claims and windstorm coverage. While in law school, Ms. Bahamonde was a certified legal intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and clerked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Early in her career, Ms. Bahamonde also practiced in the areas of immigration and criminal defense. Ms. Bahamonde earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political
Science from Florida International University, during which time she received the Florida State Scholarship to attend The Washington Center for Internship and Academics in Washington, D.C. She earned her Juris Doctorate with honors from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center. Ms. Bahamonde is Fluent in Spanish and is licensed in the United States Southern District of Florida. Ms. Bahamonde enjoys spending time with her two daughters and traveling.

Nicholas Vimo, Esq.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Nicholas M. Vimo, Esq. is originally from Miami, Florida, and joined HL Law Group as an Associate Attorney in February of 2024. Mr. Vimo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations from Florida International University and obtained his Juris Doctorate while studying at St. Thomas University in Miami. Mr. Vimo has extensive experience litigating matters involving real property in Florida’s state court system and Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In his spare time Mr. Vimo enjoys indulging in the study of foreign languages and geolexicography, following Formula 1 season race calendars, riding motorcycles, and free-style Jet-Skiing.

Kurt T. Wilson, Esq.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Kurt T. Wilson is an Associate Attorney at HL Law Group, bringing more than eight years of litigation experience to the firm, where he specializes in effectively resolving complex insurance disputes, both commercial and residential, for clients across Florida. He has represented thousands of clients and successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars from insurance companies that have improperly denied or underpaid claims. Raised in South Florida, Mr. Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree with a double major from Florida Atlantic University before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center in 2016. In 2023, he was recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40. He remains committed to providing exceptional legal representation, taking the time to listen, learn, and understand each client’s unique needs. Outside of his legal practice, Mr. Wilson has a passion for music, the ocean, the Florida Panthers hockey team, and enjoys spending time with his family.

Executive Team

Michael W. Bloom

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Michael Bloom joined HL Law Group in 2014 and, as Managing Director of HL Law Group, is responsible for all day-to-day, non-legal aspects of the Firm’s operations, with oversight of all departments. He is a highly experienced professional and seasoned management executive with over 40 years of C-suite level experience, having worked at the highest levels in the gaming industry in four different markets over his career. Mr. Bloom is married with three grown children and, when he is not managing HL Law Group, loves the ocean and spending time at the beach in South Florida.

Heather Belmonte

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

Heather Belmonte joined HL Law Group in 2020. She is originally from Minnesota and holds two Bachelor of Science degrees – one in Business Administration/Finance from Marquette University and the other in Animal Science from the University of Arizona. Ms. Belmonte has over 20 years’ experience in administration, financial planning, insurance and accounting and handles all administration functions at the Firm, including oversight of administrative staff, payroll, benefits, insurance, technology, and general office operations.

Brian Schutz

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS

Brian Schutz has been with HL Law Group since April-2021 and oversees all Client Relations and Marketing functions at the Firm, including ensuring the highest standards are employed for the Firm’s communications (both internal and external). Mr. Schutz is also involved in training the attorneys and staff in the Firm’s communications process and procedure, as well as marketing and business development, client services, and other operational processes of the Firm. Mr. Schutz holds a B.S. in Communications from the University of Miami and an M.S. in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami.

Michael Pastore

FINANCE MANAGER

Michael Pastore, originally from Long Island, New York, is HL Law Group’s Finance Manager and has been with the Firm since March-2021. Mr. Pastore graduated from St. Johns University and has over 30 years of experience as an accountant. He oversees financial management for the Firm, with a particular focus on post-settlement disbursements.

Donnell Johnson, J.D.

LITIGATION SUPPORT MANAGER

Donnell Johnson is originally from Texas and California, and has been a member of the HL Law Group team since July-2021. Mr. Johnson is responsible for the management of all litigation support at the Firm, including case management, management of litigation support staff, and litigation support training. Mr. Johnson also works closely with the Firm’s attorneys in a support role. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Cornell University and received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center. Mr. Johnson has worked in Entertainment Law for private firms in New York and Miami during his distinguished legal career.

Stephanie Graham, MBA.

ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

Stephanie Graham has been with HL Law Group since September-2020. Ms. Graham has a Bachelors’ in Legal Studies and Finance. She also has obtained her Master’s degree in Business Administration. Ms. Graham assists the management team in the Firm’s financial operations, including post-settlement disbursements, client communications and general accounting support.