Biography

Jeff Raizner has practiced law for over thirty years with a focus on complex insurance recovery litigation. Jeff is double Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Insurance Law and Personal Injury Trial Law and has been selected to the Super Lawyers list every year since 2007. He has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and every year since 2010.

He has had leadership roles in insurance litigation around Texas and throughout the U.S. After Hurricane Ike, Jeff was appointed as one of two liaison counsel who worked with the courts and insurance industry counsel to successfully manage and guide thousands of lawsuits and appraisals to an efficient conclusion.

Jeff is a trusted legal partner for high-stakes, complex insurance litigation, frequently collaborating with top-tier law firms to deliver exceptional results in catastrophe-related claims. His role as co-counsel alongside a nationally recognized firm in the aftermath of a major Caribbean hurricane led to landmark recoveries—securing arbitration awards totaling $105 million for a group of insureds against a regional insurer. Jeff’s reputation for results has also earned him the trust of numerous Texas school districts, where he has led recovery efforts for over $200 million in claims, including those stemming from Hurricane Hanna. His proven track record and collaborative approach make him a go-to resource for navigating large-scale insurance disputes with precision and impact.

Jeff has filed class action lawsuits on behalf of policyholders as well as flood victims from the Addicks and Barker Reservoir releases by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Jeff and his firm acted as lead counsel before the Texas Supreme Court on important insurance decisions such as Barbara Technologies and frequently appear as amicus counsel to address important points of Texas insurance law. He has on many occasions been asked to provide input and testimony before Texas legislative bodies on pivotal issues in insurance law. Jeff has also served as an expert witness on select matters involving important first party insurance topics.

A recognized leader nationwide in complex commercial property insurance litigation, Jeff is a member and former director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, a past president of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the American Association for Justice.

Jeff is also a member of the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Jeff is licensed in Texas, Arizona and Missouri and numerous federal courts around the country.

Jeff and his wife Susie are philanthropically active in their community and participate meaningfully in charitable organizations such as Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, Holocaust Museum Houston, and Congregation Beth Yeshurun.

Education

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in History at Tulane, Jeff received his Juris Doctorate from University of Houston graduating cum laude. During his studies at the University of Houston, he served as an Editor of the Houston Law Review. Jeff earned his license to practice law in Texas in 1992. He later gained admission to the state bars of Arizona and Missouri in 2012.

Professional History

Jeff began his legal career at Vinson & Elkins in 1992. He is the managing partner of Raizner Slania LLP. Jeff is also managing member of Raizner Lee PLLC, which collaborates as co-counsel with highly qualified and locally licensed lawyers and law firms following major catastrophe events around the county, including hurricanes and wildfires. Jeff owns and invests in commercial real estate and understands his clients’ business firsthand.

Jeff is recognized as a board certified specialist and thought leader in first party insurance recovery disputes in Texas and on select matters throughout the U.S.

Publications and Speaking Engagements:

  • Jeff Raizner. (2024, October 29). Ethics Guardrails: How to avoid crossing the line into unauthorized practice of the law. TAPIA Fall Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Amy Bach (moderator); Jeff Raizner, Brian Goodman, and Steve Badger (panelists). (2024, March 26). If the Appraisal Process is Broken, How do we fix it?. TAPIA Spring Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Bob Norton. (2023, October 10-11). Dispute Resolution for Property Damage Claims. TAPIA Fall Conference, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew Pearson. (2023, March 2). Case Law Review & Update. TAPIA Spring Conference, Austin, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew Pearson. (2022, June 9). The Stonewater Case and It’s Implication for PAs. NAPIA Annual Meeting, Galveston, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew Pearson. (2022, March 27). 2022 Case Law Update. TAPIA Spring Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner, Bob Green, Steven Bush, Evan Wolfe, Harvey Cohen, Galen Hair, Tim Johnson, Larry Bache, and Margaret Garner. (2022, February 16). The RooferBowl Mindset Attorney Panel. Win the Storm Conference, Dallas, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew Pearson. (2021, October 5). Case Law Review & Update. TAPIA Fall Conference, Kerrville, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew R. Pearson. (2021, March 1). What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting: The Winter Storm Uri Edition. TAPIA and RMAPIA Spring Cyber Conference.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew R. Pearson. (2020, October 5). Case Law Review & Update. TAPIA and RMAPIA Fall Cyber Conference.
  • Jeff Raizner, Karl Killian, and Prateek Shah. (2020, April 14). Business Insurance Recovery for Covid-19: What is Covered and How is it Calculated?. Asian American Hotel Owners Association Town Hall.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2020, March 27). Covid-19: Potential Coverages for Business Owners. TAPIA Covid Webinar.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew Pearson. (2020, March 4). Appraisal and Case Law Update. TAPIA Spring Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matthew Pearson. (2019, October 17). The Times They Are A’Changing: The Future of Appraisals in Texas. TAPIA Fall Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2019, September 26). The Intersection of First Party Insurance Recovery Claims and Appraisal: An Overview of Barbara Technologies v. State Farm Lloyds and Ortiz v. State Farm Lloyds. TTLA Live Webinar.
  • Jeff Raizner, James Lee, David Rive Power, Viviana Miranda, and Raul del Manzano (panel). (2019, July 19-20). Hurricane Maria Insurance Claims. Convención del Federación de Condominios y Control de Acceso, San Juan, PR.
  • Jeff Raizner, Matthew R. Pearson. (2019, March 7). Appraisal Trends in Hail Claims. TAPIA Spring Conference, Austin, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2018, October 16). How is the Period of Restoration Determined After Wildfires, Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Other Disasters (Contractor and Material Availability)?. First Party Claims Conference, Warwick, RI.
  • Jeff Raizner, David Farmer, and Matthew R. Pearson. (2018, October 3-4). Case Law Update. TAPIA Fall Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner, Paige Jones, and Matthew R. Pearson. (2018, February 29). Case Law Update (Wind Driven Rain and Storm Created Openings: How Insurance Companies Are Using Policy Exclusions and Limitations on Harvey Claims). TAPIA Spring Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Joey Childress, Jeff Raizner, and Tom Irmiter. (2017, December 2). Why Local Building Officials are Your Best Friends. NAPIA Mid-Year Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Jeffrey Raizner, Matthew Pearson, Micah Kessler. (2017, November 3). Case Law Review. TAPIA Fall Conference, Austin, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Derek Potts. (2017, October 19). What is Inverse Condemnation and How Do I Identify Potential Claims. HarrisMartin’s Hurricane Harvey Litigation Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Matt Blumkin (moderator); Jim Beneke, Randy Goodman, Jeff Raizner, and Jonathan Wilkofsky (panelists). (2017, June 24). Claims Handling and Issues Impacting Public Adjusters. NAPIA Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Andrew Slania. (2017, June 14). New Blue Tarp Legislation Will Make Commercial Insurance Claims More Difficult. TAPIA Webinar.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2017, February 22-23). Case Law Update Panel. TAPIA Spring Conference, Dallas, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Daniel J. Veroff. (2017, January 18). The 411 on Surplus lines/Non-admitted insurers. United Policyholders “Catch UP” Webinar.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2016, October 18). Reservation of Rights and Denial Letters- Implementations and Considerations Affecting the Adjustment Process. First Party Claims Conference, Warwick, RI.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Matthew Pearson, Will Allan, Brent Klender, and Robert Grisham (panelists). (2016, October 13). Case Law Update Panel. TAPIA Fall Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Amy Bach, Mike Poli, and Jeff Raizner. (2016, July 24). RRGs, Captives, Surplus Lines, say what? Holding new (and not so new) forms of insurance entities legally accountable. AAJ Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2016, February 25). Case Law Update Panel. TAPIA Spring Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2015, October 20). Judging the Validity and Efficacy of Engineering and Other Expert Reports. First Party Claims Conference, Warwick, RI.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Matthew Pearson, Tom Furlow, and John Hubble (panelists). (2015, October 9). Case Law Update Panel. TAPIA Fall Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2015, March 26). Financial Metrics of the Insurance Industry. First Party Claims Conference- West, Marina del Rey, CA.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Tina Nicholson, Dan Barton, and Tim Hoch (panelists). (2015, February 18-19). Cutting Edge Issues Affecting Public Adjusters. TAPIA Spring Conference, Dallas, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2014, October 21). Training for Depositions And/Or Trial. First Party Claims Conference, Warwick, RI.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Matthew Pearson, Robert Grisham II, and Patrick McGinnis (panelists). (2014, October 8-9). Cutting Edge Issues Affecting Public Adjusters. TAPIA Fall Conference, Austin, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Haley Odom Ackerman and Harry Potter (panelists). (2014, October 2). Technology and Legal Ethics. HTLA Law Practice Management Seminar, Houston, TX.
  • Charles Miller and Jeff Raizner. (2014, July 26-30). Protective Orders: Opposing the Insurance Company’s Request for a Protective Order. AAJ Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Brant Durrett, Scott Shaver, and Brad Wyly (panelists). (2014, February 27). Cutting Edge Update: Ethical Considerations. TAPIA Spring Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2013, October 21). Litigation Blossoming from Recent Catastrophes. First Party Claims Conference, Warwick, RI.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Shannon E. Loyd, Robert W. Loree, and Douglas Pennebaker (panelists). (2013, October 11). Cutting Edge Update: Bad Faith, Appraisal & Ethical Considerations. TAPIA Fall Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2013, October). 2012-2013: A Year in Review. HTLA Annual Meeting, Houston, TX.
  • Craig C. Kubiak (moderator); Richard T. Phillips, Jeff Raizner, Bonny G. Rafel, and David J. Pettinato. (2013, July 20-23). Litigating Super Storm Sandy: Coverage and Bad Faith Issues to Watch Out For. AAJ 2013 Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.
  • Jeff Raizner (moderator); Brant Durrett, Matthew Pearson, and Douglas Pennebaker (panelists). (2013, April 10-11). Cutting Edge Update: Bad Faith, Appraisal & Ethical Considerations. TAPIA Spring Conference, Dallas, TX.
  • William F. “Chip” Merlin, Jeff Raizner, and Marc Gravely. (2012, October 25-26). What Should Be in a Claim File?. TAPIA Fall Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Scott Hunziker. (2012, October 15-17). Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions and Their Effect on Insurance Recoveries. First Party Claims Conference, Warwick, RI.
  • Sergio V. Leal, Matthew Pearson, Jason B. Speights, and Jeffrey Raizner. (2012, April 19). Lonestar Law Update: Appraisals, Ethics & Bad Faith Issues. TAPIA Spring Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Jeff Raizner and Matt Gross. (2011, July 12). Digital Marketing for Law Associations. National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives 2011 Annual Meeting, New York, New York.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2011, February 25). The Legal Network: Developing and Utilizing Social Media in Your Law Practice. Texas Trial Lawyers Association Best Kept Trial Secrets – Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Jeff Raizner, Brian M. Chandler and Barrie Beer. (2011, January 20). Hurricane Litigation: Homeowner’s Update. 15th Annual Texas Insurance Law Symposium, South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas.
  • Jeff Raizner, David Brenner, Steven Tipton, Randy Johnson, Tim Singley, Jane Stone, Frank Weedon and Kay Goggin. (2010, August 19-20). Bad Faith Update and Panel Discussion. State Bar of Texas Seventh Annual Advanced Workers’ Compensation Course 2010, Austin, Texas.
  • Michael Doyle, Jeff Raizner and Chris Martin. (2010, August 9). Insurance Update and Bad Faith Litigation. Harris County Judicial Education Conference, Houston, Texas.
  • Jeff Raizner and Veronica Carmona Czuchna. (2010, April 9). Covered and Non-Covered Losses. State Bar of Texas 7th Annual Advanced Insurance Law Course, Dallas, Texas.
  • Jeff Raizner. (2009, Fourth Quarter). Post-Injury Arbitration Agreements: A Plaintiff’s Perspective. Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 4.
  • Jeff Raizner and Catherine L. Hanna. (2009, October 15). Ruttiger v. Texas Mutual and the Viability of Aranda in the Workers’ Compensation “Bad Faith” Context, Plaintiff’s Perspective. The Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and The University of Texas School of Law 14th Annual Insurance Law Institute, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Jeff Raizner and David Brenner. (2009, August 13-14). Bad Faith: Plaintiffs’ Perspective and Litigation Update. State Bar of Texas Sixth Annual Advanced Workers’ Compensation Course 2009, Austin, Texas.