Joseph W. Watkins

Joseph W. Watkins, P.C.

Insurance Consultant · Attorney at Law

Over 35 years of experience in insurance law, bad faith litigation, coverage disputes, and personal injury. Licensed in Arizona and Virginia, representing individuals who deserve experienced, dedicated counsel.

Tucson Office1661 N. Swan, Ste. 138
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 882-9115
Virginia OfficeP.O. Box 615
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 205-8191
Explore Practice Areas

Practice Areas

A focused practice built on decades of experience in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

Admiralty Law

Mr. Watkins has handled multiple admiralty law cases involving accidents on Lake Powell which, as part of the Colorado River system, is a federally controlled waterway. Admiralty law is a completely separate area of practice, and very few attorneys in Arizona have this experience.

Watkins has litigated a number of cases involving water-related accidents including a federal jury trial in Phoenix in 2022, Meador v. Aramark, which resulted in a verdict in favor of Mr. Watkins’ clients for damages and an assessment of punitive damages against Aramark, the company with the National Park Service concessions on Lake Powell.

Mr. Watkins’ admiralty law cases have involved injuries as diverse as spinal fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain injury.

Maritime vessel on open water

Personal Injury

Mr. Watkins has handled well over a thousand personal injury cases over the course of his long career. Each case must be considered on its own merits. Advertising attorney firms work on a volume practice — your case deserves the time, care, and attention to detail that larger firms simply won’t invest.

Mr. Watkins works with some of the best legal and medical experts in the country to develop the evidence necessary to obtain the best possible result for his clients. While most cases settle, Mr. Watkins is not afraid to try any case and has done so in both state and federal courts on both sides of the country.

Vehicle collision damageEmergency medical response

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death involves significantly more at stake than a standard injury claim. Mr. Watkins works with some of the best experts in the industry to ensure that all damages are considered in these extremely important cases.

A loss of a loved one is not just a personal tragedy — it also involves significant financial loss which must be correctly calculated. Lost income, loss of benefits, loss of the company of your loved one — these are all matters which must be considered. Mr. Watkins has recovered millions of dollars for his clients in wrongful death claims.

When you have everything at stake, you need to go with an experienced lawyer who understands the full scope of damages and knows how to hold negligent parties accountable. Mr. Watkins brings decades of courtroom and settlement experience to every wrongful death case he handles.

Insurance Bad Faith

Mr. Watkins has handled hundreds of cases on behalf of individuals and against their insurance companies for everything from wrongful denials, delay, and unrealistically low offers. In addition to individual cases, Mr. Watkins has had several class action cases which have recovered millions for individuals damaged by unscrupulous insurance industry practices.

Mr. Watkins utilizes some of the best experts in the business to develop the necessary evidence to maximize his clients’ recovery. This is a very specialized area of law — very few people even know they have the ability to sue their insurance company for underpaying claims.

As part of his efforts to stay on the cutting edge, Mr. Watkins obtained an insurance license in 2010. He also acts as an expert in insurance claims handling, retained by attorneys to evaluate and testify on insurance-related issues.

Wildfire destroying propertyHome destroyed by fire

Fee Structure

Mr. Watkins will find a fee structure that works for you. He believes that everyone deserves access to experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.

Most work is done on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay nothing if we don’t recover on your behalf. Smaller projects can be individually priced. Your first step is a conversation — there is no cost to discuss your case.

Experience & Career

Mr. Watkins has been licensed in state and federal courts since 1988. Early in his career he represented some of the largest insurance carriers and banking firms in the country. His individual practice has been focused on helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations, and has successfully resolved thousands of claims over the past four decades.

2009 – Present

Joseph W. Watkins, P.C.

Insurance Consultant & Expert Witness

Expert testimony and consulting services on insurance claims handling, bad faith, and coverage disputes. Review and analysis of claims files to assist courts and juries in understanding industry standards. Obtained Arizona adjuster license in 2010.

1992 – Present

Joseph W. Watkins, P.C.

Sole Practitioner — Attorney at Law

Diverse insurance litigation practice encompassing bad faith, personal injury, coverage disputes, and storm/fire loss claims. Led the Mt. Lemmon fire loss litigation representing 116+ clients. Pioneered an “Agreed Fee” program with State Farm, believed to be the first of its kind in Arizona.

1988 – 1992

Gust, Rosenfeld & Henderson

Associate Attorney — Litigation Department

Developed a standalone insurance defense practice, securing clients including State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers Insurance. Defended commercial institutions and banking entities. Worked with interstate trucking carriers and conducted adjuster training seminars.

Education & Credentials

Education

  • Juris Doctorate — University of Arizona College of Law, 1988
    Jenks Trial Competition Champion · Research Asst. to Prof. Dan Dobbs
  • B.A., Communications — Illinois State University, 1981
    Radio, TV, Film · National Student Exchange, University of Georgia

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona State Bar (1988 – Present)
  • Virginia State Bar (2015 – Present)
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ)
  • Western Trial Lawyers Association
  • Conference of Freight Counsel

Licensing & Training

  • Licensed Property & Casualty Adjuster, Arizona (2010)
  • Property & Casualty Producer Training
  • Arizona College of Trial Advocacy Program (1991)

Presentations

  • Insurance Bad Faith Primer — Western Trial Lawyers’ Assoc. (2010)
  • Risk Management — Independent Adjusters & Brokers Assoc. of AZ (2011)