BRINGING LONG HONED LITIGATION SKILLS TO RESOLVING INSURANCE COVERAGE DISPUTES
Westin McLean has been advising and representing insurance companies, individuals, and businesses in complex matters and litigation since 2009. As a seasoned litigator, he has a reputation for his knowledge of the law and ability to resolve contentious insurance coverage claims that involve many nuances and substantial risk. He brings extensive experience providing coverage opinions and claims handling advice to national and regional insurance carriers regarding all types of property, casualty, automobile, commercial trucking, specialty, builder’s risk, professional liability, and general liability policies.
Westin has handled a wide range of litigated actions involving first and third-party insurance coverage, declaratory judgments, covenant judgments, bad faith claims, COVID-19 insurance claims, commercial accidents, and personal injury claims in both state and federal courts. He has also prepared and successfully argued dozens of dispositive trial motions as well as handled multiple appeals from beginning to end. His experience and skills have allowed him to achieve favorable resolutions for hundreds of claims and filed actions through litigation, direct negotiation, and all forms of alternative dispute resolution.
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Out of law school, Westin began his career as an associate at one of the largest insurance defense firms in Portland. He later worked with a boutique insurance coverage firm in Seattle. Having been involved in numerous depositions, arbitrations, litigated actions, and mediations early on in his career better prepared him for resolving disputes today.
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 2013
- Oregon, 2009
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 2021
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2015
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, 2010
EDUCATION
- University of Oregon, School of Law – J.D., Order of the Coif, 2009
- University of Oregon – B.S. in Business Administration, cum laude, 2006
CLIENT WINS
- Obtained summary judgment in Oregon federal court enforcing special sub-limit for theft of unscheduled items of jewelry under a homeowners policy.
- Successfully defended appeal of summary judgment dismissal of Consumer Protection Act claims against personal injury protection subrogration recovery firm by showing that the Washington Collection Agency Act’s licensing requirements did not apply.
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (Member)
- Co-Presenter, “Construction Insurance,” Insurance Law Summit (2016)
- Presenter, “Legal Ethics in Bad Faith Litigation,” NBI Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Washington (2019)
- Co-Presenter, “Ethical Issues Arising from Insurance Claims & Representation,” TSG Northwest Insurance Law (2020)
- Selected for inclusion in Washington Super Lawyers (2021 & 2020 — Insurance Coverage)
- Named as a “Rising Star” in Washington Super Lawyers (2019, 2018 & 2017 — Insurance Coverage)
- Named as a “Rising Star” in Oregon Super Lawyers (2016, 2015 & 2014 — Personal Injury General: Defense)
HANDS-ON WOODWORKING WITH THE KIDS
Born and raised in the Northwest, Westin is the third generation of his family to call Seattle home. Inspired by his dad to work on DIY projects and build things out of scrap wood, Westin now has a young daughter and son who join him in these creative endeavors. He has made everything from an electronic device stand for his son to a play shed in their backyard.
