Tyler Bryant Walker
Partner – Atlanta
Tyler Bryant Walker is an experienced attorney specializing in insurance coverage and bad faith. She advises insurer clients on a variety of coverage issues, including preparation of complex coverage opinions and position letters for claims under all coverage lines. She also assists and advises clients on evaluating and responding to time-limited settlement demands, as well as general compliance issues. Tyler represents insurers in coverage and bad faith litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including actions for declaratory judgment, interpleader, contribution, breach of contract, bad faith, and garnishment actions on the policy.
Prior to joining Fields Howell in 2019, Tyler was a partner at a mid-sized regional law firm where she represented insurers in all aspects of claim handling, from pre-suit investigations through trial. Tyler also defended insureds in complex personal injury claims, including premises liability, dram shop, and negligent security cases. National conferences and magazines have called upon Tyler to present expert insights on various coverage issues.
Tyler earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2008 after completing her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2005.
Education
- University of Georgia School of Law, J.D., 2008
- Journal of Intellectual Property Law, Notes Editor
- University of Georgia, B.A., 2005
- First Honor Graduate
- B.A. in Journalism
Presentations & Publications
“Insureds Breaking Bad: Coverage for Narcotics-Related Claims” moderator and panelist at the ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Seminar in Tucson, Arizona (March 2020)
“Coverage Issues in the Sharing Economy: Rideshares and Short-Term Rentals” co-presenter at the DRI Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium in New York, New York (November 2018)
“Recovery of Diminished Value for First Party/Commercial Property Claims” moderator and panelist at the ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Seminar in Tucson, Arizona (March 2013)
Admissions
State Bars
State Bar of Georgia
Supreme Courts
Supreme Court of Georgia
Appellate Courts
Georgia Court of Appeals
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
District Courts
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Memberships
American Bar Association
ABA Insurance Coverage and Litigation Committee
Atlanta Claims Association
Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
Defense Research Institute
Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
Obtained summary judgment in favor of insurer client in garnishment action seeking recovery of $500,000 award against insured under specialty lines policy. Neary v. American Competitive Trail Horse Association v. Capitol Indemnity Corp., 1:17-cv-04380 (N.D. Ga. March 11, 2019)
Secured summary judgment in favor of two insurer clients in separate $1 million policy limits cases dealing with novel underinsured motorist coverage issue advanced by plaintiff’s bar. Praetorian Ins. Co. v. Collins et al, 1:16-cv-00306 Doc. (N.D. Ga. May 9, 2018) (add’d on appeal); Praetorian Ins. Co. v. Collins et al, 778 Fed. App’x 850 (11th Cir. October 3, 2019); Frame v. Frankenmuth Mutual Ins. Co., 1:17-CV-02288 (N.D. Ga. May 5, 2018)
Obtained favorable ruling in complex priority and allocation dispute among four carriers over $2.5 million wrongful death judgment. Renaissance Recovery Solutions, LLC v. Monroe Guar. Ins. Co. et al, 2017 WL 4018861 (S.D. Ga. Sept. 12, 2017) (aff’d on appeal) Renaissance Recovery Solutions, LLC v. Monroe Guar. Ins. Co. et al, 770 Fed. App’x 527 (11th Cir. May 8, 2019)
Obtained summary judgment in favor of insurer client in $900,000 construction defect coverage/bad faith case on late notice defense. Johnson Landscapes, Inc. v. FCCI Ins. Co., Case No. 1:13-cv-01130 (N.D. Ga. Feb 13, 2015) (aff’d on appeal) Johnson Landscapes Inc. v. FCCI Ins. Co., 620 Fed App’x 887 (11th Cir. 2015)
Obtained summary judgment in $1 million wrongful death coverage case resulting in published decision on cancellation of commercial auto policy. Southern Pilot Insurance Company v. CECS, Inc. et al., 2014 WL 4977805 (N.D. Ga. Sept. 12, 2014).