Michael Handler provides strategic guidance to insurance companies on first- and third-party coverage analysis and defends against alleged bad faith claims in Washington, Oregon, and jurisdictions nationwide.
Michael’s proactive approach and skilled analysis help clients navigate complex, high-stakes coverage disputes and mitigate risk. When litigation becomes necessary, Michael leverages his experience to advance and successfully defend his clients’ positions on challenging claims and intricate exposures.
Admissions
Washington
Oregon
Education
J.D., Boston University School of Law, 1993
B.S.E., University of Pennsylvania, 1990
Memberships
CLM, Seattle Chapter
President (2022 & 2023)
Vice President (2021)
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (elected 2023)
King County Bar Association
Washington Bar Association
PLUS, Northwest Chapter Committee 2016 – 2021
Northwest Insurance Coverage Association
Co-Chair and Chair, 2008 & 2009
Professional Liability Defense Federation
Experience
Represented professional liability insurer in mediations of underlying class actions, addressing significant coverage issues affecting the availability of insurance funds, and assessing the strength of each participant’s positions, to achieve mutually agreed insurance-funding participation in global resolutions.
Liability insurer’s Motion to Dismiss granted on all coverage and extra-contractual claims, based on named insured and marital community issues.
Obtained protective order in “insurance bad faith” lawsuit against all discovery of work product and/or privileged materials withheld from claim file production, including pre-litigation materials, without requiring their judicial in camera review.
VoiceStream Wireless Corp. v. Federal Ins. Co., 112 F.App’x 553 (9th Cir. 2004 Washington Law).
Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London v. Mass. Bonding & Ins. Co., 235 Or App 99, 230 P3d 103 (2010).
Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company v. Keller Transport, Inc., 2016 MT 6.
