Clyde & Co opens office in Seattle through merger with Forsberg & Umlauf

Merger further expands Clyde & Co’s US insurance practice and establishes trial and defense services in the Pacific Northwest

Global law firm Clyde & Co has announced its expansion into Seattle, Washington through a merger with Forsberg & Umlauf P.S., a leading Seattle-based insurance coverage and trial & defense  firm, also with attorneys in Portland, Oregon. This move expands Clyde & Co’s North American footprint and reinforces its position as a leading provider of insurance and trial & defense legal services in the US.

This announcement comes as Clyde & Co approaches its 20th anniversary in North America—a milestone that reflects two decades of navigating risk and supporting clients in the insurance sector.  Seattle becomes the firm’s 20th office in the region—a “20 in 20” achievement that is a testament to its commitment to growth and client service in key markets.

The Forsberg group joins a  number of Clyde & Co lawyers already located and practicing in Washington state. These talented lawyers from Forsberg & Umlauf—consisting of 12 partners, 20 non-partner attorneys, and 12 paralegals—bring decades of experience working with clients in all aspects of defense and insurance coverage litigation. Clyde & Co’s Seattle headcount will now be 39.

The Forsberg & Umlauf team specializes in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, as well as the defense and coverage of tort and commercial disputes. Their expertise encompasses matters arising from general liability, auto liability, municipal liability, construction litigation, employment liability, product liability, and professional liability.

Carolena Gordon, Global Senior Partner at Clyde & Co, comments:

“The merger with Forsberg & Umlauf marks a significant milestone in our North American growth with us celebrating our 20th office location in our 20th year on the continent. Seattle is a key market for our clients, particularly in the insurance sector, and Forsberg & Umlauf’s outstanding reputation and background make them the perfect fit for our firm. We are excited to welcome the team to Clyde & Co and look forward to working together to deliver for our insurance clients across the globe.”

Eileen King Bower, Clyde & Co North American Board Chair, adds:

“Forsberg & Umlauf’s culture of excellence and client service aligns perfectly with Clyde & Co’s values. This merger not only strengthens our trial and defense capabilities in Washington state but also provides a strong foundation for further expansion in the region."

"Establishing a Seattle office enables us to better support our clients as they face complex coverage and liability issues and positions Clyde & Co at the heart of one of the most dynamic legal markets in the US. We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues and are confident that, together, we will achieve great success.”

This merger follows Clyde & Co’s office openings in Calgary (2022), Boston (2023), and Dallas (2025) in recent years, further enhancing the firm’s ability to serve clients across the US and Canada.

Clyde & Co’s North American insurance practice offers clients in-depth coverage counseling and litigation and trial and defense capabilities across all insurance lines. Clyde & Co opened its first North American office in New York 20 years ago, and the North American region has grown to 20 offices with over 400 attorneys across the US and Canada, including more than 100 partners.