Episode Article
In episode 10 of the Rise and Thrive podcast, produced by Make It Viral Media, firm administrator Jason Sulisufay shared how a family restaurant, a lightning strike, and his work as a public insurance adjuster led to the creation of Suli Law Group. He now runs this Tampa-based personal injury and property insurance law firm with his wife, attorney Laura Sulisufay.
Early Life and Family Background
Jason was born and raised in Pinellas County, Florida, specifically in Seminole, near St. Petersburg. He is a first-generation American; his family is of Albanian descent.
When Jason was 3 years old, his parents bought a diner called Jesse’s Family Restaurant on 66th Street in Pinellas Park. The restaurant kept its original name instead of being renamed after Jason because a new sign would have cost about $15,000, so the family decided not to make the change.
At age 19, Jason left college to take over full operation of the restaurant after his father, T.J., became seriously ill.
From Hospitality to Public Insurance Adjusting
In 2020, the restaurant building was struck by lightning and suffered catastrophic damage, resulting in a total loss. Going through the insurance claims process for his own damaged property pushed Jason toward a new career path: he became a public insurance adjuster. He also held a Florida real estate license and worked part-time in commercial real estate before settling into adjusting work.
It was during this career transition that Jason met his wife, Laura. At the time, she worked as an insurance defense attorney; she later moved to plaintiff-side legal work.
Founding Suli Law Group in 2023
In 2023, the couple launched Suli Law Group while Laura was pregnant with their third child. Jason now serves as firm administrator and describes himself as the firm’s “non-attorney spokesperson.”
Firm at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Carrollwood, Tampa, FL |
| Satellite offices | Lakewood Ranch, FL; St. Petersburg, FL |
| Attorneys on staff | 3 |
| Practice areas | Personal injury; property insurance claims |
| Fee structure | Contingency-based — no upfront cost; client owes nothing unless the firm recovers compensation |
The Legal Team
| Attorney | Background |
| Laura Sulisufay | Founding attorney; previously worked in insurance defense before moving to plaintiff-side work |
| Roger | Trial attorney; has tried more than 30 jury trials |
| Ty Evans | Trial attorney with jury trial experience |
The firm also recently added a new attorney and paralegal team. Outside of that expansion, the rest of the staff has been with the firm for more than a year, a retention rate Jason attributes to deliberate selectivity in hiring.
What Suli Law Group Handles
Personal injury cases:
- Car crashes
- Slip and falls
- Dog bites
- Other injuries caused by someone else’s fault
Property insurance claims:
- Homeowners property and casualty claims
- Business property claims
- Condo association claims
- Hurricane damage
- Fire damage
- Water damage
- Wind damage
- Mold damage
How the Firm Reviews a Property Claim
- Independent assessment. The firm evaluates the property directly, or coordinates with a client’s existing public adjuster if one is already involved.
- Free policy review. The team examines what the insurance company has already paid, offered, or denied.
- Expert review for disputes. For denied or underpaid claims, the firm brings in outside experts such as engineers to counter common carrier denial language. This includes exclusions like “wear and tear” and “constant repeated seepage,” which Jason described as standard reasons insurers use to avoid payouts.
- Dispute and pursue. If the review finds the carrier got it wrong, the firm pursues the claim on the client’s behalf.
Jason also noted that some insurers are increasingly using AI systems in ways that he believes contribute to denying or underpaying valid claims. He says this trend makes independent policy review even more important for property owners.
Fee Structure: No Recovery, No Fee
- Suli Law Group charges nothing upfront.
- Clients pay only if the firm successfully recovers compensation.
- Even in cases where the firm has already spent money on expert assessments and ultimately determines it can’t recover further funds, the client owes nothing.
Client Communication Standards
- Clients are given attorneys’ direct cell phone numbers.
- The firm provides same-day phone call updates.
- Attorneys walk clients through expected claim timelines upfront, since Jason said many people don’t understand how long an injury or property claim typically takes to resolve.
Biggest Operational Challenge: Hiring Specialized Legal Talent
Jason named staffing as the firm’s most persistent challenge. Suli Law Group looks specifically for attorneys with trial experience and specialized knowledge of the insurance industry. For example, they value understanding how insurance companies build their defense strategy, which Jason says Laura’s insurance-defense background provides.
Networking as a Growth Engine
- Jason is President of the BNI Apex chapter. BNI (Business Network International) was described in the interview as the oldest networking organization of its kind, about 40 years old. It is built around a core principle called “Givers Gain,” where members who refer business to fellow chapter members receive business in return.
- He also holds a board position with the Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA), which he described as hosting weekly events across the greater Carrollwood area. The firm recently helped organize a community event called Taste of Carrollwood.
- Jason also credits regular attendance at Kahwa Coffee networking meetups for referrals and business relationships.
- His stated philosophy is: “Your network is your net worth.” He said the firm intentionally hires local vendors with which it has built relationships ,such as for marketing or AI automation services, instead of using out-of-state companies.
Advice for New Business Owners
- Get familiar with AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude early. Jason described them as tools that will change how a business operates.
- Build a solid business plan before launching.
- Find a mentor or business coach to help navigate the early stages.
- Surround yourself with ambitious, positive people, and avoid negativity.
- Prioritize consistent networking. Jason said the firm’s entire client base was originally built through word of mouth and community involvement, not paid advertising.
- Master calendar and time management. Jason credited a business coach with helping him manage running the firm, serving on the CABA board, leading BNI Apex, and raising three children with Laura, all at once.
About the Podcast
This conversation was the 10th episode of Rise and Thrive, a podcast from Make It Viral Media that profiles business owners in the Tampa Bay area, including the greater Carrollwood area, covering their career paths, the challenges they’ve faced, and how their businesses came to be.