Claims investigation and risk assessment/management in the field – those are Julie’s responsibilities, and she doesn’t take them lightly. A meticulous technician, Julie believes in educating clients about how to protect themselves in the future. It’s an approach that gives her clients confidence and gets them actively involved in the decision-making process.

To educate her clients, Julie first must master the information or issue herself. That’s why she insists on doing her own research.

“I couldn’t develop a deep understanding of my clients’ policies or the risks they face without doing the work and the research myself,” Julie said. “Getting it right is of paramount importance to me.”

Conducting years of front-line investigations, claims handling and defense strategies has its advantages. When clients call, Julie has insights, and can readily pose defensive and offensive strategies, into dealing with the myriad of problems that confront fidelity and surety clients. Her responsiveness and depth of knowledge are invaluable to time-crunched insurance companies.

Julie began her Levy Craig career in 1996 and quickly became a partner. She is a fidelity, surety and construction law expert with more than 28 years of experience. Her clients include Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., CUMIS Insurance Society and Ohio Casualty Insurance.

Prior to Levy Craig, Julie served for five years as regional senior counsel in the Professional Liability Section of the Resolution Trust Corporation. Before that, Julie was a partner at Hartigan & Yanda, P.C., for 10 years.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
> In a matter involving what was then one of the largest minority
   subcontractors in the country, resolved competing claims from
   banks, owners/obligees, federal and state regulatory authorities,
   and payment bond claimants, and oversaw the surety client’s
   finance through completion of numerous federal and state projects
   located throughout the United States. Claims and completion costs
   totaled in excess of $350 million.
> Managed a surety client’s completion of more than $150 million in
   road construction projects throughout Illinois.
> Handled fidelity and surety claims and litigation in 48 states.

ACTIVITIES
> Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, since 1979
> Member, American Bar Association, since 1980
       > Fidelity and Surety Law Committee, since 1980
> Volunteer, Operation Breakthrough, since 1979

HONORS
> Legal Leader, The Daily Record, 2008

PUBLISHED WORKS/PRESENTATIONS
> “The Most Important Question a Surety Can Ask About Performance
   Bonds,” American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice
   Section, 1997
> “Employee Dishonesty Claims,” Handling Fidelity, Surety and Financial
   Risk Claims, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1990
> “Practical Construction Law in Missouri,” Cambridge Institute, 1988
> “The Surety’s Liability for Bad Faith/Punitive Damage Claims – An
   Update,” American Bar Association, New York, 1987
> “The Surety’s Liability for Defective Workmanship – An Update,”
   American Bar Association, New York, 1987
> “Design Professionals’ Special Statutes of Limitations,” Litigating
   Architect-Engineer Malpractice Claims, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1987
> “Fidelity and Surety Law Survey, 1983,” LI Insurance Counsel Journal,
   58, January 1984

EDUCATION
> J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law,
   Kansas City, Mo., 1979
       > The Chief Justice, UMKC Superior Court
       > Chandler S. Rogers Legal Writing Award, 1978-79
       > Managing Editor, UMKC Law Review
> B.A., Sociology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1977
       > Honors: Summa cum laude

BAR ADMISSIONS
> Missouri, 1979