SEASONED COUNSEL WITH OVER THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN ALL PHASES OF INSURANCE ISSUES AND DISPUTES, FROM PRE-SUIT ADVISING THROUGH TRIAL AND APPEAL
Joseph Hampton is a senior trial attorney with the firm’s insurance practice group. He represents insurers in all phases of coverage and claim disputes. Joe’s counseling, litigation and appellate experience has come from multiple lines of insurance coverage, for national and regional carriers. In addition to coverage assignments, he assists insurers with extracontractual matters. Joe recognizes the importance of early-stage proactive steps to minimize extracontractual exposure, and works with his insurer clients to implement them.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 1985
- Montana, 2005
Court Admissions
- United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
EDUCATION
- University of Washington – J.D., 1985
- Washington State University – B.A., cum laude, 1981
CLIENT WINS
- Obtained a summary judgment ruling that a $7.5 million covenant judgment was not covered under a general liability policy, and a further ruling that the client-insurer did not act in bad faith or violate the Insurance Fair Conduct Act or Consumer Protection Act when it declined to defend the insured.
- Obtained a reduction in a covenant judgment from $30 million to $7.5 million, successfully arguing that the amount of the insured’s confessed liability was unreasonably high.
- Obtained summary judgment of no duty to defend or indemnify an auto insurer, based upon Washington’s “selective tender” rule, saving the insurer almost $1 million.
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- After a jury trial, obtained a defense verdict of no liability of insurer, for allegedly undervaluing and underinsuring a condominium building completely destroyed by fire.
- After jury trial, obtained a defense verdict of no coverage for large condominium complex with longstanding water intrusion damage.
- After a bench trial, obtained defense judgment for insurer on claims of bad faith and consumer protection, for allegedly maligning its insured in the course of the insurer’s special investigations unit’s investigation.
- After a jury trial, obtained a defense verdict for insurer, of no contractual damages and no extracontractual liability, in case brought by insured arising out arson destruction of small business.
- Obtained pre-trial dismissal of bad faith suit brought by insured, after discovering and revealing the insured’s counterfeiting of documents, forging of signatures, and lying under oath on claim facts and circumstances.
- Washington State Bar Association (Member)
- Montana State Bar Association (Member)
- Defense Research Institute (Member)
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
- Frequent Speaker at Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Annual Insurance Law Seminar
- Regular Guest Presenter for Client In-House Seminars
- AV, Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Super Lawyers Magazine, “Super Lawyers” (2007-2021)
- Seattle Met Magazine, “Top Lawyers”, Insurance Practice Area (2010)
OUTSIDE THE FIRM
When he is not assisting clients, Joe enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling, reading, learning French, volunteering at his church, and subjecting his family and guests to his latest culinary experiments.