Ryan Hesselgesser focuses his practice on insurance coverage, alleged bad faith litigation, and providing strategic counsel to insurers operating in Washington and Oregon. Ryan advises on both first- and third-party claims and offers guidance across a wide range of policies, including Commercial General Liability, Homeowners, Directors & Officers Liability, Construction, Environmental Liability, Technology, Professional Liability, Commercial Excess, Maritime, and Automobile.
Ryan frequently delivers presentations on Washington insurance claims handling, including issues related to alleged bad faith. He has extensive experience with IFCA, CPA, and common law bad faith claims, as well as Stipulated (Covenant) Judgments in Washington. Ryan has been the chair of the Insurance Committee for the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Association since 2024.
Admissions
Washington
Oregon
US District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
US District Court for Oregon
US District Court for the District of Colorado
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law, 2008
B.S., University of Arizona, 2004
Memberships
Washington State Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Association
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association (WDTL)
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
Northwest Insurance Coverage Association (NICA)
King County Bar Association
South Highline National Little League, President
Experience
Obtained summary judgment for client on bad faith, IFCA claims re: whether defense or indemnity is owed.
Successfully obtained summary judgment ruling of no coverage in professional liability coverage matter.
Successfully defended four-day reasonableness hearing involving covenant judgment against insurer client, with court finding proposed covenant judgment settlement was unreasonable.
Obtained summary judgment ruling on first-party coverage matter involving significant damage and successfully defended judgment on appeal.
Successfully mediated numerous cases for insurers, avoiding significant bad faith litigation.
Obtained favorable resolution for insurer with stipulation of no coverage from insured and client.
Presentations
Presenter, “What Is Bad Faith?” 2021 Northwest Insurance Law Seminar, November 2021
Presenter, “Business Interruption from COVID-19,” 2021 WDTL Insurance Law Seminar, March 2021
Annual presenter at WDTL Insurance Seminar
In house presentations to multiple clients regarding covenant judgments in the State of Washington
