LITIGATION MONITORING COUNSEL
I am available to assist insurance companies in need of litigation monitoring counsel. My central location allows me to efficiently make court and other appearances in venues such as Seattle, Kent, Kitsap County, and Tacoma, as well as anywhere on the Olympic Peninsula. Given my reasonable rates and the travel time involved, my services may save your company money over using your usual firm as monitoring counsel. I am also willing and able to travel nationally for monitoring tasks, including depositions, mediations, and trials.
More substantively, my experience in complex coverage litigation enables me to tell you what is really going on at trial, and where coverage-related problems may occur, especially as regards privilege issues. For a sample of my work in this area, please see the document linked to the Swanson matter (on my site's Document Room page). Judge Pechman's decision in that complicated attorney/client privilege dispute is published, and has been cited in articles, books, and other decisions. I also have substantial experience with dispositive motion practice and trial preparation, including all facets of alternative dispute resolution.
Many insurers hire me to provide a second opinion during litigation regarding complicated coverage matters being handled by their usual firms. I can also assist claims handlers suddenly confronted with coverage-related legal issues in general litigation by attending mediation or arbitration with them, analyzing documents, providing coverage opinions, etc.
Finally, I have significant experience prosecuting and defending appeals in Washington state courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. I am able to assist in reviewing the efficacy of various avenues, crafting arguments, and to otherwise help the insurer with the nuts and bolts of appeals that include coverage issues.
If your company needs a solid coverage litigator to have its back on a particular project, give me a call.