Michael A. Guadagno

Shareholder, Seattle Office

Direct Dial: 206.521.6433
Fax: 206.386.5130
michael.guadagno@bullivant.com



Practice Areas

Industries

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 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
Experience Representative Work Professional and Civic Involvement Awards and Honors Press Coverage Publications and Presentations Outside the Firm

Practice Experience

Michael Guadagno focuses his practice on insurance coverage and complex commercial litigation matters. His insurance experience includes representing leading insurance and reinsurance companies in coverage and bad faith litigation involving many different lines of insurance products, including commercial general liability, professional liability, homeowners and property and casualty. He advises his clients concerning insurance coverage for a variety of claims, including construction defect, collapse, transportation, environmental and general liability.

Michael's complex commercial litigation practice focuses on complex tort and claims litigation, including representation of product manufacturers, licensed professionals and retailers in cases involving professional malpractice, premises liability, breach of contract, business disputes and general negligence. Michael also represents intrastate and interstate motor carriers, drivers, owner operators, insurers, and other transportation related entities in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska.

Professional and Civic Involvement

  • Catherine Blaine Middle School (Facilitator, Mock Trial, 2017-2018)
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (Member, 2015-Present)
  • Foundation for Washington Courts (Board of Trustees, 2016-2018)
  • Nathan Hale High School (Coach, Mock Trial, September 2009-2011)
  • Puget Sound Adjusters Association (Member, Speaker, 2014-2018)
  • Villa Academy (Facilitator, Mock Trial, 2010-2018)
  • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (Member; Board of Trustees, Strategic Planning Committee, 2005-2018)
  • Washington State Bar Association (Member, Legislative Committee, 2007-2010)
  • Washington YMCA Youth & Government

Awards and Honors

  • Selected for inclusion in Washington Super Lawyers (2019, 2018, 2017 — 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)

Press Coverage

Firm News

Advisories and Insights

Publications and Presentations

  • 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)

Outside the Firm

Michael is deeply committed to youth education of law and democracy. He is a past coach of the Nathan Hale High School mock trial team and has facilitated dozens of middle and elementary school mock trial programs at Catharine Blaine Middle School, Queen Anne Elementary, Seattle Prep, and Villa Academy. Additionally, Michael regularly works with the Washington YMCA Youth & Government programs and assists various mock trial programs at numerous high schools, the University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law. Michael has also collaborated with the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association in its aim toward furthering diversity in the legal community through the education of youth, including the introduction of a mock trial team at Rainier Beach High School.