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Michael A. Guadagno

Shareholder, Seattle

206.521.6433
vCard | Email | PDF

Michael A. Guadagno

Shareholder, Seattle

206.521.6433
vCard | Email | PDF

RECOGNIZED AS A GO-TO REGIONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE LAWYER

Michael Guadagno defends leading insurance and reinsurance companies in third-party liability coverage disputes and bad faith litigation involving many different lines of insurance products, including commercial general liability, professional liability, homeowners, and property and casualty. With an established cross-border practice in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, he’s skilled at figuring out multiple lawsuits that are in play at the same time and thrives on resolving challenging cases to get results for his clients. He helps insurers avoid lawsuits and advises them on a variety of claims, including construction defect, sexual assault, transportation, and environmental pollution. 

Clients seek out his counsel especially on high-value and high-risk cases because he is adept at navigating all the issues and seeing pitfalls down the road. Michael is frank with clients about the reality of their cases and claims, their options and all the risks involved, and estimates on likelihood of success.

ADMISSIONS

Bar Admissions

  • Alaska, 2016
  • Washington, 2004
  • Oregon, 2013
  • Idaho, 2014

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
  • U.S. District Court, District of Alaska

EDUCATION

  • Seattle University, School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2003
  • Seattle University – M.B.A. – International Business, 2003
  • University of Missouri, Columbia – B.A. – Political Science, 1999

CLIENT WINS

  • Unigard Ins. Co. v. Wausau Underwriters Ins. Co., 15 Wash.App.2d 1014, 2020 WL 6557837 (2020). Defended carrier against contribution claim by a co-carrier seeking $2 million in reimbursement. Obtained summary judgment dismissal of all claims, which was affirmed on appeal.
  • Safeco Ins Co of Oregon v. McPartland, 2021 WL 1691134 (D. Or. April 29, 2021). Represented carrier in dec action involving a coverage dispute over applicability of a general liability policy.  Obtained finding of non-coverage.
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (Member, 2015-Present) 
  • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (Member; Board of Trustees, Strategic Planning Committee, 2005-2018) 
  • Foundation for Washington Courts (Board of Trustees, 2016-2018) 
  • Puget Sound Adjusters Association (Member, Speaker, 2014-2018) 
  • Washington State Bar Association (Member, Legislative Committee, 2007-2010) 
  • Catherine Blaine Middle School (Facilitator, Mock Trial, 2017-2018) 
  • Nathan Hale High School (Coach, Mock Trial, September 2009-2011) 
  • Villa Academy (Facilitator, Mock Trial, 2010-2018) 
  • Washington YMCA Youth & Government
  • Speaker, “The Duty to Defend in Washington & Oregon: West Hills Dev. Co. v. Chartis Claims, Inc., 360 Or. 650, 385 P.3d 1053 (2016),” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Annual Insurance Law Update (2017) 
  • Speaker, “When Settlement Negotiations Are Not Privileged – How to Successfully Negotiate Claims Settlements with One Arm Tied behind Your Back,” Puget Sound Adjusters Association (PSAA) Claims College Symposium (2017) 
  • Speaker, “Insurance Coverage Complexities, Concerns, Liability & Litigation,”  Trucking and Transportation Conference, National Business Institute (NBI) (2016) 
  • Speaker, “Blurring the Lines of Subrogation and Reimbursement,” Puget Sound Adjusters Association (PSAA) (2016) 
  • Speaker & Author, “Comparing Work Product Applications to Claim Files in Pacific Northwest Jurisdictions,” Puget Sound Adjuster Association (PSAA) (2016) 
  • Co-Speaker & Author, “Comparing Work Product Applications to Claim Files in Pacific Northwest Jurisdictions,” Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Seattle Chapter Educational & Networking Event (2016) 
  • Speaker, “Real Life Cedell Issues,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Insurance Law Update (2016) 
  • Speaker & Author, “Privilege and Ethics in the Tripartite Relationship,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Annual Ethics Seminar (2015) 
  • Speaker, “Challenges to the Attorney-Client Privilege in U.S. Jurisdictions After Cedell and TransCanada,” Lloyd’s of London (2015) 
  • Co-Speaker, “Admission/Exclusion of Unique Evidence,” National Business Institute (NBI) (2015) 
  • Co-Speaker, “Handling Email, Social Media and Other Electronically Stored Information (ESI),” National Business Institute (NBI) (2015) 
  • Co-Speaker, “Keeping Evidence Out (Pre and Post Trial),” National Business Institute (NBI) (2015) 
  • Speaker, “Powerful Closing Arguments,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Defense Academy (2014) 
  • Speaker, “Shhhh! The Attorney-Client Privilege after Cedell v. Farmers Ins. Co. of Wash.,” Puget Sound Claims Managers Council (2013) 
  • Speaker, “Cedell v. Farmers Ins. Co. of Wash.,” Puget Sound Adjusters Association & Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) (2013) 
  • Speaker & Author, “New Marijuana Laws: Weeding Out the Coverage Implications of I-502,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) (2013)
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2024 — Insurance Law; 2024 — Commercial Litigation)
  • Selected for inclusion in Washington Super Lawyers (2017-2022 — Insurance Coverage & Civil Litigation Defense)
  • Recipient of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers 2016 President’s Award for his contributions to the civil justice system 
  • Named as a “Rising Star” in Washington Super Lawyers (2009 — Insurance Coverage) 
  • Awarded “Linda Crum Service Above Self Award,” Seattle Public Schools (2010) 
  • Awarded “Community Leadership Award,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) (2011) 
  • Awarded “Professional Excellence Award,” Seattle Select Attorneys (2012) 
  • Awarded “Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation,” Washington State Bar Association (2009-Present) 

EDUCATING YOUTH ABOUT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

In parallel with his practice as an attorney, Michael has a passion for educating youth about law and democracy. He has facilitated mock trials and taught classes throughout the school year in every grade level on constitutional rights, the legal justice system, and the American Bill of Rights. This has always been important to him because he believes that a democracy depends on an educated public. Volunteering his time with youth is his way of teaching the next generation and making an impact. He has worked with judges, attorneys, police officers, and crime scene investigators to build crime scenes on school campuses for students to do forensic testing in science class, learn about what evidence is admissible in court and get exposure to all the pieces of the justice system.

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