Carolina Tiller

Carolina Kotzias Tiller is an experienced civil litigation attorney whose practice focuses on insurance defense, including personal injury and uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) matters. Drawing on more than two decades of legal experience in Brazil and the United States, Ms. Tiller brings a strategic, disciplined, and results-oriented approach to the evaluation, litigation, and resolution of complex and high-exposure claims.

 Ms. Tiller earned her law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil, where she graduated at the top of her class. Her academic achievements led to her appointment as a law professor at the University of Tuiuti of Paraná early in her career. After relocating to the United States, she earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from New England School of Law and was admitted to practice in California after passing the California Bar Examination on her first attempt.

 Before transitioning to insurance defense, Ms. Tiller owned, and operated her own law firm for approximately twelve years, concentrating exclusively on bankruptcy law. During that time, she personally handled and supervised more than 3,000 matters, developing extensive experience in case strategy, negotiation, courtroom practice, client counseling, and the efficient management of a substantial caseload. Her years as a firm owner also shaped the practical, business-minded approach she brings to litigation today.

 At Straus Meyers, LLP, Ms. Tiller represents insurance carriers and their insureds in personal injury and UM/UIM matters through all stages of litigation and arbitration. Her practice includes early case and exposure evaluation, written discovery, depositions, expert retention and management, medical causation and damages analysis, mediation, arbitration, dispositive and evidentiary motion practice, and trial preparation. She has handled hundreds of personal injury and UM/UIM matters, with particular emphasis on identifying the medical, factual, and evidentiary issues that drive exposure and create opportunities for effective resolution.

 Askilled negotiator, Ms. Tiller has particular strength in developing strategies that move difficult or seemingly entrenched matters toward settlement. Her approach combines careful exposure analysis with an understanding of the medical evidence, litigation posture, opposing counsel, and the practical considerations that influence resolution. She works closely with claims professionals to develop negotiating leverage and pursue favorable settlements that control exposure and avoid unnecessary litigation expense, while remaining prepared to proceed through arbitration or trial when resolution is not in the carrier’s best interest.

 Ms. Tiller has earned the confidence of claims professionals and carrier representatives through responsive communication, proactive file management, and practical, well-supported case evaluations. Her relationships with carrier clients have resulted in repeat assignments, with adjusters who have worked with her specifically requesting that she handle subsequent matters referred to the firm. She is known for maintaining close control of her files, anticipating litigation needs well in advance of critical deadlines, and providing timely and candid assessments of liability, causation, damages, and exposure that enable claims professionals to make informed strategic decisions.

 Ms. Tiller approaches each matter with an emphasis on preparation, credibility, efficiency, and sound judgment. Whether developing a case for early resolution, negotiating a complex settlement, preparing a matter for arbitration or trial, or advising a carrier on litigation risk, her objective remains the same: to provide effective advocacy, practical guidance, and a strategy tailored to achieving the best available outcome for the client.