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Linda B. Clapham

Linda has long focused her legal work on behalf of insurance company interests in the state and federal courts of the Northwest. Her expertise for insurance company clients expands to appellate litigation, including assisting with preservation of error work alongside trial counsel; participating as amicus curiae and handling appeals from ‘notice to mandate.’ Although raised in Seattle, Linda has lived in Cologne, Germany, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Sun Valley, Idaho.

Ms. Clapham has consistently been identified as one of Washington’s Super Lawyers since 2008, including recognition by the Super Lawyers Women’s Edition and Super Lawyers Business Edition. Martindale Hubbell ranks Ms. Clapham as “AV Preeminent,” its highest possible honor. And AVVO evaluates Ms. Clapham as “superb” based on its rating of her professional achievements and industry recognition.

In addition, Ms. Clapham has been listed has been listed in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine as one of King County’s “Top Lawyers” 2010 – 2018. They cull their listings from Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers.

University of Washington – BA Political Science 1982

Willamette University College of Law – JD 1986

Associate Editor Willamette Law Review – 1984-1986

Washington

Oregon

U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington

U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Adgar v. Dinsmore and Lakewood Water District, 26 Wn.App.2d 866, 530 P.3d 236 (2023) (“keys in the ignition” tort case analyzing foreseeability);

In re Estate of Vatne v. R. Vatne, 22 Wn.App.2d 1022 (June 13, 2022) (upheld decision denying Will contest based on service of notice of probate to beneficiary);

Gull Industries, Inc. v. Granite State Ins. Co., 18 Wn.App.2d 842, 493 P.3d 1183 (2021) (environmental coverage); In re Joanne Blankenship Survivor’s Trust v. Parke, et. al., 18 Wn.App.2d 686, 493 P.3d 751 (2021) (upheld summary judgment in a TEDRA appeal and successfully obtained attorney fees for client);

Universal Life Church Monastery Storehouse v. R.L.K., LLC, 17 Wn.App.2d (April 26, 2021) (appeal limited to denial of attorney fees to prevailing client based on opposing party’s bad faith prelitigation misconduct);

Fuji Food Products, Inc. v. Occidental, LLC, 6 Wn.App.2d 1027 (Dec. 3, 2018) (upheld jury verdict in commercial lease dispute and successfully argued proportional fee award under Marassi);

Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London v. Massachusetts Bonding and Insurance Co., 287 Or. App. 279, 401 P.3d 1212 (2017) (environmental coverage);

West Hills Development Co. v. Chartis Claims, Inc., et. al., 360 Or. 650, 385 P.3d 1053 (2016) (duty to defend issue in construction defect matter);

Granite State Ins. Co. v. Integrity Structures, LLC, 20015 SL 136006 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 9, 2015) (defeated bad faith claim);

Walston v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., 2012 WL 2049451 (D. Ct. Or June 6, 2012) (exclusions to professional liability);

Mid-Continent Casualty Co. v. Titan Construction Corp., 2009 WL 1587215 (W.D. Wash. June 5, 2009) (construction defect);

Puget Sound Energy v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, 134 Wn.App. 228, 138 P.3d 1068 (2006) (allocation and apportionment in the environmental coverage context);

Representative Cases as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of Insurer Interests Estate of Essex v. Grant County Public Hospital Dist., et. al., 25 Wn.App 2d 227 (2022); — Wn.2d — (argued 10/24/23)(analysis of whether public hospitals should be vicariously liable for negligence of independent contractor physicians);

Schiff v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 24 Wn.App. 2d 513 (2022); — Wn.2d –, (argued 9/26/23) (analysis of whether Insurer’s practice of determining reasonableness of medical expenses constitutes “unfair trade practice” subject to Consumer Protection Act);

Wood v. Milionis Construction, Inc., 198 Wn.2d 105, 492 P.3d 813 (2021) (analysis of evidence necessary for RCW 4.22.060 Reasonableness Hearing);

Peoples v. USAA, 194 Wn.2d 771, 452 P.3d 1218 (2019) (Certified Question analyzing interplay between PIP coverage and a claim for CPA violation);

T-Mobile USA, Inc. v. Selective Ins. Co. Of America, 194 Wn.2d 413, 450 P.3d 150 (2019) (Certified Question analyzing bad faith related to representation in Certificate of Insurance);

Daniels v. State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. Co., 193 Wn.2d 563, 444 P.3d 582 (2019) (analysis of “made whole” doctrine in context of subrogation action).

Washington Appellate Lawyers Association, founding member

King County Bar Association, Appellate Law Section

Northwest Insurance Coverage Association

Leadership Cabinet, Willamette Law School