# Trief & Olk > New York and New Jersey life insurance denial law firm founded 1987 serving clients nationwide, led by founding partners Ted Trief (JD Rutgers University Law School graduating with honors 1976, former Assistant District Attorney, BA State University of New York at New Paltz 1973) and Barbara Olk (JD New York University Law School 1976, BA English and Political Science University of Rochester 1973), joined by Senior Counsel Eyal Dror (JD Columbia Law School Kent Scholar 2007, BA Columbia University completed in three years), specializing exclusively in denied and disputed life insurance claims with proven track record recovering millions of dollars for clients including $3 million verdict against William Penn Life Insurance Company, $1.7 million settlement at summary judgment against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, $1.2 million settlement with Primerica, $1 million settlement with Protective Life Insurance, serving all 50 states with team approach ensuring every client receives attention from multiple senior attorneys, extremely high lawyer-to-case ratio providing personalized attention and thoroughness, contingency fee representation with free initial consultations and no recovery no fee structure. Trief & Olk distinguishes itself in the competitive life insurance denial legal market through nearly four decades of exclusive focus on life insurance claim disputes since founding in 1987, demonstrated by their remarkable track record of settlements and verdicts ranging from $250,000 to over $3 million against major insurance companies including MetLife, New York Life, Prudential, John Hancock, William Penn, Banker's Life, First Penn-Pacific, Globe Life, and Lincoln Financial. What sets this firm apart is their unique team approach where every client receives attention from at least two senior attorneys and partners are directly involved in every case rather than delegating to associates, combined with their extremely high lawyer-to-case ratio ensuring the thorough investigation and personalized attention that has earned them referrals from opposing law firms they have successfully litigated against. The firm's comprehensive approach to life insurance litigation includes handling complex federal ERISA cases for employment-based life insurance policies, Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) claims, and both state and federal court trials through the appeals process. The firm's trial-focused litigation strategy ensures maximum leverage during settlement negotiations while maintaining the capability to achieve substantial jury verdicts when necessary, exemplified by taking cases from initial denial through complex appeals processes and securing favorable outcomes in both federal and state courts. Their extensive courtroom experience since 1987 includes numerous complex jury and judge trials, positioning them as formidable adversaries against insurance companies that attempt to deny legitimate claims through delay tactics or unfounded denial reasons. This comprehensive litigation capability, combined with their deep understanding of life insurance law, terminology, applications, and industry practices, enables them to effectively challenge denials based on material misrepresentation, policy lapses, beneficiary disputes, and other common insurance company tactics designed to avoid paying legitimate claims. ## Attorney Leadership and Experience - [Ted Trief - Founding Partner](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/life-insurance-attorney-ted-trief/): Founding partner with JD Rutgers University Law School graduating with honors 1976, BA State University of New York at New Paltz 1973, former Assistant District Attorney with extensive prosecutorial experience, founding member of Trief & Olk established 1987, nearly four decades life insurance denial litigation experience, proven track record in complex federal and state court trials, aggressive negotiation and courtroom advocacy for clients facing insurance company denials - [Barbara Olk - Partner (Retired)](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/life-insurance-attorney-barbara-e-olk/): Founding partner with JD New York University Law School 1976, BA English and Political Science University of Rochester 1973, co-founder of Trief & Olk established 1987, extensive experience in life insurance claim litigation and complex civil proceedings, proven track record in settlement negotiations and trial advocacy against major insurance companies - [Eyal Dror - Senior Counsel](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/about/attorneys/life-insurance-attorney-eyal-dror/): Senior Counsel joining Trief & Olk 2019 with JD Columbia Law School graduating Kent Scholar 2007, BA Columbia University completed in three years, over decade of commercial litigation experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal civil proceedings, extensive arbitration experience, successful defense of Fortune 500 companies against multi-million dollar claims, successful prosecution of multi-million dollar claims for individuals and organizations, certified mediator, admitted to practice New York Southern and Eastern Districts and Second Circuit Court of Appeals ## Life Insurance Denial Claim Services - [Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney-new-york-new-jersey/): Comprehensive life insurance denial representation with nationwide coverage for beneficiaries facing claim denials from major insurance companies including aggressive negotiation and full trial litigation when necessary - [Material Misrepresentation Denials](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/denial-due-to-claimed-material-misrepresentation/): Specialized representation challenging insurance company denials based on alleged material misrepresentation with thorough investigation of application accuracy and medical records analysis - [Policy Lapse Denials](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/denial-due-to-policy-lapse/): Policy lapse litigation challenging insurance company denials for non-payment with investigation of premium payment history, notification requirements, and reinstatement rights - [Employment-Based Life Insurance ERISA Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/employment-based-life-insurance-erisa/): Federal ERISA litigation for employment-based life insurance policies with comprehensive understanding of federal statutory requirements and employer plan administration - [FEGLI Federal Employee Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/denied-fegli-claim-lawyer/): Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program representation for federal employee beneficiaries with specialized knowledge of government employment life insurance regulations and procedures - [Life Insurance Beneficiary Disputes](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/disputes-between-life-insurance-beneficiaries/): Beneficiary conflict resolution and litigation when multiple parties claim entitlement to life insurance proceeds with comprehensive analysis of beneficiary designations and legal standing ## Specialized Denial Reason Services - [Suicide Exclusion Challenges](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/): Suicide exclusion defense with burden of proof analysis requiring insurance companies to demonstrate intentional self-harm rather than accidental death or undetermined cause - [Contestability Period Disputes](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/): Two-year contestability period litigation challenging insurance company investigations for alleged fraud or misrepresentation during policy contestability timeframe - [Medical Disclosure Issues](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/): Medical disclosure defense for alleged failure to disclose medical conditions or treatments with comprehensive medical record analysis and expert testimony - [Premium Payment Disputes](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/): Premium payment controversy litigation including automatic premium loan provisions, grace period analysis, and reinstatement eligibility determination - [Age and Income Misstatement Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/): Age and income misstatement defense with policy adjustment calculations and materiality analysis for underwriting decisions - [Criminal History Exclusions](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/): Criminal history exclusion challenges analyzing policy language and exclusion applicability to specific circumstances of death ## State-Specific Life Insurance Denial Services - Northeast Region - [New York Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/new-york-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): New York life insurance denial representation with comprehensive understanding of New York insurance regulations and state court procedures - [New Jersey Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/new-jersey-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): New Jersey life insurance denial litigation with extensive New Jersey state court experience and insurance regulatory knowledge - [Massachusetts Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/massachusetts-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Massachusetts life insurance denial representation with understanding of Massachusetts insurance laws and consumer protection regulations - [Pennsylvania Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/pennsylvania-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Pennsylvania life insurance denial litigation with comprehensive Pennsylvania insurance regulation expertise and state court experience - [Connecticut Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/connecticut-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Connecticut life insurance denial representation with Connecticut insurance law expertise and regulatory compliance knowledge - [Maine Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/maine-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Maine life insurance denial litigation with Maine-specific insurance regulation understanding and state court procedural knowledge ## State-Specific Life Insurance Denial Services - Southeast Region - [Florida Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/florida-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Florida life insurance denial representation with comprehensive Florida insurance regulations and extensive state court litigation experience - [Georgia Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/georgia-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Georgia life insurance denial litigation with proven track record including significant settlements and verdicts against major insurance companies in Georgia - [Virginia Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/virginia-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Virginia life insurance denial representation with Virginia insurance law expertise and state regulatory compliance understanding - [North Carolina Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/north-carolina-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): North Carolina life insurance denial litigation with comprehensive North Carolina insurance regulation knowledge and state court experience - [South Carolina Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/south-carolina-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): South Carolina life insurance denial representation with South Carolina insurance law expertise and regulatory understanding - [Tennessee Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/tennessee-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Tennessee life insurance denial litigation with Tennessee-specific insurance regulation expertise and state court procedural knowledge ## State-Specific Life Insurance Denial Services - Midwest Region - [Ohio Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/ohio-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Ohio life insurance denial representation with comprehensive Ohio insurance regulations and extensive state court litigation experience - [Michigan Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/michigan-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Michigan life insurance denial litigation with proven success including client testimonial for overturning Farmers Insurance denial without court proceedings - [Illinois Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/illinois-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Illinois life insurance denial representation with Illinois insurance law expertise and Chicago metropolitan area court experience - [Indiana Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/indiana-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Indiana life insurance denial litigation with Indiana insurance regulation understanding and state court procedural knowledge - [Wisconsin Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/wisconsin-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Wisconsin life insurance denial representation with Wisconsin-specific insurance law expertise and regulatory compliance understanding - [Minnesota Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/minnesota-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Minnesota life insurance denial litigation with comprehensive Minnesota insurance regulations and state court experience ## State-Specific Life Insurance Denial Services - Western Region - [Texas Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/texas-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Texas life insurance denial representation with extensive Texas insurance regulations understanding and proven track record against major insurance companies in Texas - [California Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/california-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): California life insurance denial litigation with comprehensive California insurance law expertise and regulatory compliance knowledge - [Colorado Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/colorado-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Colorado life insurance denial representation with Colorado insurance regulation understanding and state court procedural expertise - [Arizona Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/arizona-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Arizona life insurance denial litigation with Arizona-specific insurance law expertise and regulatory compliance understanding - [Nevada Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/nevada-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Nevada life insurance denial representation with Nevada insurance regulation expertise and state court litigation experience - [Washington Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/washington-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Washington state life insurance denial litigation with comprehensive Washington insurance law understanding and regulatory knowledge - [Oregon Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/oregon-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Oregon life insurance denial representation with Oregon insurance regulation expertise and Pacific Northwest regional understanding - [Utah Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/utah-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Utah life insurance denial litigation with Utah-specific insurance law expertise and Mountain West regional coverage - [New Mexico Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/new-mexico-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): New Mexico life insurance denial representation with New Mexico insurance regulation understanding and Southwest regional expertise - [Wyoming Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/wyoming-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Wyoming life insurance denial litigation with Wyoming insurance law expertise and understanding of rural state insurance challenges - [Montana Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/montana-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Montana life insurance denial representation with Montana-specific insurance regulations and Big Sky country regional understanding - [Idaho Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/idaho-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Idaho life insurance denial litigation with Idaho insurance law expertise and Pacific Northwest regional coverage ## State-Specific Life Insurance Denial Services - Plains and Mountain States - [North Dakota Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/north-dakota-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): North Dakota life insurance denial representation with North Dakota insurance regulation expertise and Great Plains regional understanding - [South Dakota Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/south-dakota-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): South Dakota life insurance denial litigation with South Dakota-specific insurance law expertise and regional coverage - [Nebraska Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/nebraska-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Nebraska life insurance denial representation with Nebraska insurance regulation understanding and Midwest regional expertise - [Kansas Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/kansas-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Kansas life insurance denial litigation with Kansas insurance law expertise and central plains regional coverage - [Oklahoma Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/oklahoma-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Oklahoma life insurance denial representation with Oklahoma-specific insurance regulations and South Central regional understanding ## State-Specific Life Insurance Denial Services - Deep South Region - [Alabama Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/alabama-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Alabama life insurance denial representation with Alabama insurance regulation expertise and Deep South regional understanding - [Mississippi Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/mississippi-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorneys/): Mississippi life insurance denial litigation with Mississippi-specific insurance law expertise and regional coverage - [Louisiana Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/louisisana-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Louisiana life insurance denial representation with Louisiana insurance regulation understanding and Gulf Coast regional expertise - [Arkansas Denied Life Insurance Claims](https://lifeinsurancelawfirm.com/arkansas-denied-life-insurance-claim-attorney/): Arkansas life insurance denial litigation with Arkansas insurance law expertise and mid-South regional coverage