Bejar, Jan Joseph

Doug Belknap is a Tennessee transplant who moved to Arizona in 1989 after receiving his law degree and MBA from the University of Tennessee that same year.  Doug began his legal career at Gallagher & Kennedy, the prestigious Arizona firm that recruited him west.  Doug left G & K in 1994 to practice in a less formal setting. 

Since 1994, Doug's practice generally has focused on insurance clients.  He maintains relationships with several carriers who rely on him for coverage and bad-faith defense needs.  Doug's primary practice area, however, is insurance subrogation.  Subrogation allows Doug to leave his office to slog through the damages resulting from fires, floods, drunk drivers who have knocked down houses, and other disasters both natural and man-made.  Doug has recovered well over $15 million for his subrogation clients in the past few years.

Trial Experience Counts.  Doug firmly believes that virtually all civil disputes can and should be resolved without the time and expense of a trial, and often without the need for a lawsuit.  Even in the face of vigorous disagreements about facts or law, competent attorneys and reasonable clients can evaluate the probabilities associated with the universe of possible outcomes and can resolve disputes based upon those probabilities.  Doug has tried many cases to juries, however, and has handled many matters in appellate courts.  This experience not only allows Doug to analyze how judges or juries might react, but it also gives his clients the confidence that a case will be ready to take to trial if a trial becomes necessary.

Statewide Practice.  Although much of Arizona's population is centered in Maricopa County, Doug's practice truly is statewide.  In his 22 years of practice Doug has handled cases in every Arizona county and in most of Arizona's cities and towns.  He has represented the State of Arizona, Pima County, and the City of Tucson, as well as Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix. 

No Question Too Small.   Doug's clients universally enjoy his willingness to take phone calls, answer questions, and discuss matters of any sort, regardless whether the issue will lead to a fee.  His clients have constant access via email and cell phone.  Doug invites contact whenever a client--or anyone else--has a need.  If Doug cannot help directly, he always can provide information about another resource.

Other Practice Areas.  Although much of Doug's practice involves subrogation or coverage, Doug also handles a variety of matters outside of the insurance world.  Doug has several corporate clients to whom he provides advice and assistance.  He successfully has represented individuals and families in personal-injury and wrongful death claims, has handled professional malpractice claims, and has been asked to preside over settlement negotiations.  Doug also has served as an expert on several insurance issues and has lectured to insurance, governmental, and professional groups on a range of topics. 

Go Big Orange.  Doug remains an avid supporter of University of Tennessee sports.  His two daughters are fantastic athletes who someday may become Volunteers.  Long ago, Doug forgave his lovely wife for attending the wrong UT.