Edward O. Comitz
Ed is an Arizona-based disability insurance attorney who leads the firm’s professional disability insurance practice. With over three decades of experience handling complex disability insurance matters nationwide, he is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities in the professional disability insurance industry and is frequently considered the national “go-to” attorney for high-stakes professional disability claims.
Ed has earned a national reputation not only for successfully litigating disability claims involving fraud, insurance bad faith, and unfair claims practices, but also for his exceptional command of the disability insurance claims process—an opaque, highly technical system governed by overlapping policy provisions, medical and occupational standards, regulatory requirements, and insurer-specific internal guidelines. Insurers routinely exploit the fact that physicians, dentists, and other professionals are not trained in law or insurance, relying on that knowledge gap to induce missteps, discourage scrutiny, and normalize claims practices that fall below the applicable standard of care. Errors at any stage of the process can permanently impair—or entirely foreclose—otherwise valid claims.
Unlike most attorneys in this space, Ed routinely manages claims through each phase of insurer scrutiny, including initial claim structuring, medical and occupational proof development, carrier-directed examinations, surveillance responses, internal appeals, continuing eligibility reviews, and long-term claim administration, as well as litigation when insurers deviate from their contractual and statutory obligations. This depth of involvement provides him with uncommon insight into how claims are evaluated, delayed, leveraged, and ultimately terminated in a system that has become a billion-dollar enterprise increasingly focused on initial denials, limiting claim duration, and pressuring insureds toward premature returns to work.
Ed focuses exclusively on professional “own-occupation” and specialty-specific disability insurance claims, representing physicians, dentists, attorneys, professional athletes, and other high-earning professionals in coverage disputes, claim terminations, and bad-faith litigation, primarily in federal courts. His practice is narrowly concentrated on the unique medical, occupational, and financial issues that arise in high-value professional disability claims.
A nationally recognized authority, Ed has authored numerous articles on professional disability insurance and is a frequent lecturer on the subject. He has presented to medical and dental associations, insurance agents, and other industry professionals across the country, further cementing his reputation as a thought leader with deep, practical industry knowledge.
Recognition
Arizona Business Magazine has recognized Ed as as one of the Top 5 Business Leaders in Arizona in the area of Healthcare, and one of the Top 500 Business Leaders in Arizona overall. Referring to the honorees, Editor-In-Chief Michael Gossie observed:
“The drivers of Arizona’s economy who are profiled … are catalysts for Arizona’s economy. They are leaders. They are innovators. They have influence. And when they speak, they make things happen. And together, they are guiding Arizona toward greatness.”
Ed has received the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating—the highest possible peer-review rating—reflecting his professional excellence and the highest levels of legal skill and integrity. He is recognized as a Southwest Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and has been named a “Top Attorney” by Ranking Arizona in Healthcare and Commercial Litigation.
In addition to his practice, Ed has served as an adjunct professor at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and has taught pre-litigation at the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. Ed has also served as Judge Pro Tempore for the Maricopa Superior Court.
Memberships, Admissions and Education
Ed is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, the American Association for Justice, and the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association. In addition to his pro hac vice appearances around the country, Ed is admitted to practice in the State of Arizona; and the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona.
Ed received his B.A. in journalism, magna cum laude, from Creighton University and his J.D., cum laude, from Seattle University, where he was a Merit Scholar and Associate Editor of the Law Review.
Complex Litigation Experience
Ed has extensive experience in disability insurance litigation, representing physicians, dentists, attorneys, professional athletes, and corporate executives in reversing wrongful denials of disability insurance claims. He is frequently sought out by attorneys nationwide to assist with complex disability claims and litigation matters.
Ed has also represented professional and institutional clients in complex litigation involving unfair business practices, business torts, class actions, fraud, and securities matters. He is widely recognized as a leader in protecting the rights of individuals and entities harmed by corporate misconduct and other large-scale wrongdoing.
As a partner in prior large-firm practice, Ed served as counsel and as a member of trial teams in several high-profile consumer protection matters, including Grant v. Arthur Andersen, L.L.P., et al., the securities fraud and consumer class action arising out of the collapse of the Baptist Foundation of Arizona. Those proceedings resulted in settlements totaling $238 million, including a $217 million settlement with Arthur Andersen relating to its role as auditor for the Baptist Foundation of Arizona. That settlement remains the largest ever paid by a Big Five accounting firm outside the context of the savings and loan crisis and is more than twice the amount Arthur Andersen had previously agreed to pay to resolve any auditing-related claim.
While associated with the international law firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. (now Squire Patton Boggs), Ed served as a lead attorney in multi-billion-dollar antitrust litigation involving key participants in the satellite communications industry.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Ed has been widely published on professional disability insurance coverage and litigation in publications including Physician’s Money Digest, Anesthesiology News, The Journal of Medical Practice Management, Dentaltown, Physicians Practice, Ophthalmology Management, Doctor of Dentistry, Arizona Orthopedic Medical Association Digest, Inscriptions, and AzMed (Arizona Medical Association). His article, “The 10 Biggest Legal Mistakes Physicians Make When Filing a Claim for Disability,” was included in the SEAK, Inc. compilation The Biggest Legal Mistakes Physicians Make and How to Avoid Them.
He has served as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer on pre-trial and trial topics for the University of Arizona College of Law and the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He is also a regular speaker for healthcare professional associations, medical and dental practices, and investment groups. Selected presentations include:
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- 10/24/2019: Disability Insurance Roulette with Edward O. Comitz – Howard Speaks Podcast
- 2/13/2019: What Every Physician Should Know About Disability Claims – Doctor Money Matters Podcast
- 10/04/2017: Disability Insurance for the Professional Athlete – Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU
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- 05/17/2017: Disability Insurance Roulette: Why is it So Hard to Collect on My Policy (2 CE credits) – Dentaltown CE Course
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- 04/06/2017: Preserving Your Practice: How to Avoid Legal Pitfalls and Minimize Legal Risk (3 CE credits) – Arizona Dental Association Western Regional Dental Convention
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- 04/09/2016: Legal Issues Affecting Dentists: Protecting Your Practice, Career, and Reputation (3 CE credits) – Arizona Dental Association
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- 07/31/2015: All About Disability Insurance – Howard Speaks Podcast, Dentaltown
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- 06/18/2015: It’s Your Dream, You’ve Got to Protect It (3 CE credits) – Arizona Dental Association Women in Dentistry Panel
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- 03/12/2015: Financial Planning and Disability Seminar – San Diego Dental Society
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- 04/04/2014: Disability Insurance: Will It Be There When You Need It? (3 CE credits) – Arizona Dental Association
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- 02/12/2013: The Importance of Advocacy in the Disability Claim Process – Synergy Dental Study Club
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- 11/03/2012: AOTRW (Acronyms of the Regulatory World) – Arizona Dental Association THEOS Program
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- 03/30/2012: Disability Insurance: Will It Be There When You Need It? (3 CE credits) – Arizona Dental Association
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- 02/05/2010: Disability Insurance and Working with Medical Professionals – North Star Resource Group
Given our unique niche and the depth of knowledge we bring to this specialized field, many clients refer to us as the “physicians’ and dentists’ disability attorneys”—a designation we are proud to uphold.
Personal
Ed is an Arizona native, born in Tucson and living in Phoenix. He enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, biking and playing tennis.
Education
- J.D., Cum Laude
Seattle University - B.A., Journalism
Magna Cum Laude
Creighton University
Bar Admissions
- Arizona Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court,
District of Arizona
