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Headshot of Anthony Tinelli

Tony Tinelli

Managing Partner

Tony is a dedicated, loving father and husband and feels that is how the Firm should treat its employees and clients. He also believes that it is necessary to support the community and be an active leader. Tony organizes his children’s school and church’s annual fishing tournament and sponsors other similar events that benefit charitable organizations.

Prior to starting the Firm, Tony spent 13 years representing many major insurance companies with a focus on litigating claims involving property damage to homes, condominiums, and businesses. When the insurance companies had complicated cases, they hired Tony to help them investigate the claim and represent them when they were sued. He was regularly called upon to assist the insurance companies to assess complex losses and coverage issues, rewrite their policies, and develop claims handling strategies to comply with Florida law. Tony now represents homeowners, businesses, and associations in actions against their insurance companies.

Tony is highly respected by the insurance companies given his long history working for them. He knows how to submit a claim to get the attention it deserves. If it is necessary to file a lawsuit, Tony has developed thoughtful strategies to succeed against the insurance companies. Although insurance companies usually litigate claims, Tony’s experience and expertise leads to results that continue to make the Firm’s clients happy and thankful they hired Tinelli Fernandez.

Education & Bar Admissions

  • St. Thomas University School of Law, J.D.
  • Rutgers University, B.A.
  • Florida Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Headshot of Gabriel Fernandez

Gabriel Fernandez

Partner

Gabriel spent the first 6 years of his legal career representing large insurance companies in property damage claims relating to roof leaks, hurricane damage, plumbing issues, building collapse, mold, fungi, theft, and vandalism.  He now represents homeowners, condo associations, and businesses throughout Florida on similar cases and, since 2018, has personally secured over tens of millions in settlements for his clients at the county, circuit, and federal level.

Gabriel was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where he graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 2004. He attended The University of Chicago, where he was a member of the University’s football team and Phi Gamma Delta. As a member of the football team, he was a four-year starter at outside linebacker, three-time selection to the UAA All-Conference Team, voted Team MVP as a senior, and was the first-ever University of Chicago football player to garner UAA All-Conference Rookie of the Year accolades.

Gabriel earned his J.D. from FIU College of Law in 2011. While at FIU, he clerked for a large insurance-oriented law firm, earned the Book Award for Remedies, and volunteered as a football coach at Tamiami Park and Christopher Columbus High School.

Education & Bar Admissions

  • Florida International University College of Law, J.D., 2011
  • The University of Chicago, B.A. Public Policy, 2008
  • Florida Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Headshot of Sandra Bahamonde

Sandra Bahamonde

Associate

Sandra 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, Sandy also practiced in the areas of immigration and criminal defense.

Sandra 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. While in law school, Sandra was the Vice-President of Competitions and Advocate for the Nova Trial Association, Lead Articles Editor for the ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law, President of the Hispanic Law Student Association, and recipient of the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship and CALI Excellence for the Future Award.

Sandra is fluent in Spanish.

Education & Bar Admissions

  • Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center, J.D.
  • Florida International University, B.A. Political Science
  • Florida Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Headshot of Ashley Rius

Ashley Rius

Associate

Ashley focuses her practice on first-party property insurance and has a background in bankruptcy. Working as a law clerk during law school, she gained experience in family law, immigration, entertainment law, and medical malpractice. Ashley represents clients from the inception of the case through discovery, depositions, and trials.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and her Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law. While attending law school, Ashley was an active member in Moot Court and earned a spot on the Dean’s list for 3 consecutive years.

Ashley is fluent in Spanish.

Education & Bar Admissions

  • Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center, J.D.
  • Florida International University, B.A. Psychology
  • Florida Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Tony giving speech

Tony Tinelli Is a Windstorm Insurance Network Speaker

Tony Tinelli is a speaker for Windstorm Insurance Network. He’s presented the following presentations in previous years for the benefit of insurance professionals:

  • 2019 – The Shape of Water – This presentation was an analysis of assessing roofing system damage causes and applying legal principles surrounding a homeowner’s insurance policy coverage.
  • 2021 – Large Loss – Tony’s presentation was an analysis of Window and door claims under a residential commercial insurance policy.

What Is Windstorm Insurance Network?

Windstorm Insurance Network (WIND) was founded in 1999 and is an annual conference and member association bringing together policyholder and defense professionals to learn, connect, and engage in important topics in the windstorm and property insurance claims industry. Windstorm Insurance Network was incorporated on September 16, 1999—the same day when Hurricane Floyd hit the Eastern United States, and it is a 501C(3). They considered this a fitting date to start an educational association they created for windstorm and property insurance claims industry professionals. WIND operates with a mission to foster cooperation between windstorm insurance professionals in relation to applying insurance and claims practices using training, education, and encouraging high ethical standards of professionalism and conduct among this organization’s members.

Our Team’s Accolades

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Tony Tinelli
  • Rising Stars: 2010, 2011
  • Super Lawyers: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
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Gabriel Fernandez
  • Rising Stars: 2020, 2021
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Ashley Rius
  • Rising Stars: 2021, 2022
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Restoration Association of Florida

Noteworthy Articles

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