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FIRM NEWS
9/01/2011
BPM Expands With Four New Attorneys
Toni Y. Anders has joined the firm as a Director. Ms. Anders is a litigator with a background in various general litigation matters, concentrating her practice on insurance coverage and commercial litigation. She has defended clients in matters ranging from special investigation/fraud to bad faith. Ms. Anders earned her J.D. from Seattle University.
Charles A. Lyman has joined the firm as a Director in the firm’s business litigation group. He concentrates his practice on complex litigation, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, securities disputes, and real estate and commercial landlord-tenant issues. Mr. Lyman received his bachelors degree from the University of Washington and earned his J.D. , cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law. Following law school he served as a judicial clerk to Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander of the Washington State Supreme Court. He has frequently been named a Rising Star by Washington Law and Politics Magazine.
Bree Kame’enui-Ramirez has a civil and commercial litigation practice focused on product liability and federal Indian law. She served as judicial clerk to Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson (Ret.) of the Hawai'i State Supreme Court before returning to Seattle to practice law. Ms. Kame’enui-Ramirez earned her J.D. from the University of Washington.
P. Jason Skuda focuses his practice on insurance coverage and commercial litigation. He represents and advises clients in a wide range of insurance disputes under first-party and third-party policies. Mr. Skuda earned his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
"We are excited that Toni, Charlie, Bree and Jason have joined BPM. Each brings their own distinct expertise and background to the firm, helping set the stage for continued excellence, as well as the future growth of BPM," commented Managing Shareholder, Larry Gottlieb.
08/01/2011
BPM Wins Ninth Circuit Reversal
Steve Goldstein, Richard Ross and Victoria Pond successfully moved the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse injunctive relief which could have ended the 58 year history of Ryderwood, Washington as a 55 and older community. The decision -- published as Balvage, et. al. v. Ryderwood Improvement and Service Association -- holds, for the first time, that retiree communities are exempt from the Fair Housing Act's family status protections provided they show present compliance with the three criteria of the Housing for Older Person's Act (HOPA).
Ninth Circuit Affirms BPM Client’s Victory in Coverage/Bad Faith Case
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a complete dismissal of a coverage and bad faith suit against our client. Insurance Coverage Practice Group attorneys Joe Hampton and Vasu Addanki successfully defended the trial court’s full dismissal of all claims brought by a woman accused of sexual abuse, who was suing her homeowner’s insurer because if failed to defend her. The Ninth Circuit agreed with the client, the trial court, and our attorneys that sexual abuse does not constitute an “accident” triggering insurance coverage, and that the insurer’s conduct in handling the claim was in good faith. The court also held that the insurer’s communications with its counsel remained privileged, irrespective of the insured’s bad faith allegations. Schorno v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 2011 WL 3325873.
King County Superior Court Dismisses Coverage/Bad Faith Case Against BPM Client
Insurance Coverage Practice Group attorneys Joe Hampton and Vasu Addanki recently obtained a summary judgment dismissing a first party insurance coverage and bad faith case against our client, a homeowner’s insurer. The insured plaintiffs alleged that their insurer failed to pay for all resulting damage a lightning strike event, and failed to perform an adequate investigation. The court agreed with Joe and Vasu that BPM’s client paid what was owed and investigated the claim thoroughly, and that plaintiff failed to provide the court with any evidence to create a triable issue of fact. All claims were dismissed. Allen, et ux. v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., King County Superior Court, No. 10-2-04205-9SEA.
07/01/2011
Two attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in the July 2011 issue of Washington Law & Politics.
Congratulations to our Rising Stars!
Maggie Diefenbach
Laura Kruse
Four BPM Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Washington Law & Politics 2011 Super Lawyers
Four attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in the July 2011 “Super Lawyers” issue of Washington Law & Politics.
Congratulations to our Super Lawyers!
Steven Goldstein
Joseph D. Hampton
James D. Nelson
Christopher W. Tompkins
02/08/2011
Karen Bamberger has been invited to join the Council on Litigation Management
Karen Bamberger has been invited to join the prestigious Council on Litigation Management. The Council is a nonpartisan alliance comprised of thousands of insurance companies, corporations, Corporate Counsel, Litigation and Risk Managers, claims professionals and attorneys. Through education and collaboration the organization’s goals are to create a common interest in the representation by firms of companies, and to promote and further the highest standards of litigation management in pursuit of client defense. Selected attorneys and law firms are extended membership by invitation only based on nominations from CLM Fellows.
01/01/2010
BPM Announces Three New Directors
Marisa A. Alkhazov’s practice is focused on complex litigation and insurance defense law. She acts as counsel to insurers in first and third party matters, counsels insurers regarding bad faith, duty to defend and coverage disputes.
Troy A. Biddle will continue to counsel and represent insurers, policyholders, and businesses in all aspects of litigation.
Laura E. Kruse concentrates her practice on the defense of product liability claims against leading medical, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, and on the defense of self-insured and insured entities against personal injury claims.
10/15/2010
Joe Hampton Speaks at Construction Industry Seminar
Joe Hampton was a featured speaker at the Insurance in the Construction Industry seminar on October 15, 2010, presenting on the topic of The Duty to Investigate in Construction Defect Disputes.
08/27/2010
BPM Selected for Top 50 Law Firms List
BPM was included in the 2010 Puget Sound Business Journal Law Guide, Top 50 Law Firms in Washington State.
Top 50 Law Firm List
08/01/2010
Six BPM Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Seattle Met Magazine "Top Lawyers" (2010)
Six attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in Seattle Met magazine "Top Lawyers" (2010)
Congratulations to our Top Lawyers!
Karen Bamberger - Litigation
John Braislin - Corporate & Business
Steven Goldstein - Labor & Employment
Joseph D. Hampton - Insurance
Christopher W. Tompkins - Litigation
Livingston Wernecke - Estate Planning & Probate
07/26/2010
BPM Adds Four New Attorneys
Maggie Diefenbach has joined Betts Patterson & Mines as a Director. Diefenbach concentrates her practice in insurance defense matters. Prior to joining Betts Patterson, she worked as a litigation attorney at Cozen & O’Connor and was also claims litigation counsel for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Diefenbach earned her J.D. from University of Southern California.
Mark E. Mills has joined Betts Patterson & Mines as Of Counsel. Mills practices in the Insurance Coverage Group. Before joining Betts Patterson, he practiced 18 years with two well-established Seattle insurance coverage and defense firms, Gordon & Polscer and Cole, Lether, Wathen, Leed & Hall. Mills also worked five years as the Washington insurance coverage attorney for the Safeco Insurance Companies. His experience includes advising insurers on issues arising from commercial general liability, commercial property, commercial auto, homeowners, and personal auto policies. Mills earned his J.D. from Willamette University.
Yvonne M. Benson has joined Betts Patterson & Mines as a Litigation Attorney. Benson focuses her practice on insurance defense litigation, including construction defect, personal injury, liquor liability, and legal malpractice litigation. She has also counseled manufacturers on product liability containment and defended manufacturers in product liability litigation. Before joining Betts Patterson, Benson was a litigation attorney at Perkins Coie and Gordon Thomas Honeywell. Benson earned her J.D. from Seattle University.
Morgan Emmerton Smith joined Betts Patterson & Mines as a Litigation Attorney. Smith concentrates her practice on complex litigation that includes insurance coverage disputes and insurance defense law. She counsels insurers in large loss commercial liability claims and extra contractual claims, with an emphasis on construction defect claims. Prior to joining Betts Patterson, she practiced at Cole, Lether, Wathen, Leed & Hall. Smith earned her J.D. from Seattle University.
“We are pleased to have attorneys of this caliber join our team and are excited about their ability to help position Betts Patterson & Mines’ future growth,” commented Managing Shareholder, Larry Gottlieb.
07/01/2010
Dana Henderson Serves on Advisory Board of HomeStep
HomeStep provides up to two years of transitional housing and intensive supportive services to more than 400 homeless individuals each year. Transitional housing typically gives individuals and families an opportunity to stabilize their lives and increase their skills and financial means to afford their own housing and avoid becoming homeless again.
06/15/2010
Dana Henderson and Richard Ross to Present at Bar Association CLE
Dana Henderson and Richard Ross will present at this Summer's Personal Injury Bootcamp, sponsored by the Washington State Bar Association. Ms. Henderson will present on the topic of pre-suit investigation and Mr. Ross will speak on the Medicare Secondary Payer Act.
06/01/2010
Five BPM Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Washington Law & Politics 2010 Super Lawyers
Five attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in the June 2010 “Super Lawyers” issue of Washington Law & Politics.
Congratulations to our Super Lawyers!
Steven Goldstein
Joseph D. Hampton
James D. Nelson
Christopher W. Tompkins
05/07/2010
Karen Bamberger recently presented at the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers' CLE on Damages. Specifically, she conducted a panel and discussion on life care planning for the defense lawyer.
04/05/2010
Marissa Alkhazov joins BPM
Betts, Patterson & Mines is pleased to announce that Marissa A. Alkhazov has joined the firm as an attorney in the Complex Litigation Group. Marissa focuses her practice on complex litigation, and insurance defense law. She acts as counsel to insurers in first and third party matters, counsels insurers regarding bad faith, duty to defend and coverage disputes. Marissa's litigation experience spans from representing manufacturers of fitness equipment in product liability matters, defending large corporate defendants in multi-district asbestos litigation to acting as counsel to homeowners in land use disputes. Ms. Alkazov received her J.D. from Albany Law School, and her B.S. from the University of Washington.
01/01/2010
Firm Announces New Shareholder, Joseph D. Hampton
Betts, Patterson & Mines, P.S. announces Joseph D. Hampton as a new Shareholder. He is also a member of the Firm's Management Committee. Mr. Hampton has been with the firm for almost 4 years. His practice primarily consists of the representation of insurance carriers in coverage and extra-contractual matters, particularly with respect to numerous types liability insurance (e.g., commercial general liability, directors and officers, errors and omissions, excess and umbrella). He also accepts assignments of challenging civil litigation outside the area of insurance coverage.
11/25/09
Washington Law & Politics Announces the 2010 Rising Stars
Two attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in the Winter 2010 issue of Washington Law & Politics.
Congratulations to our Rising Stars!
Laura E. Kruse, Personal Injury Defense: Products
Victoria M. Pond, Business Litigation
09/03/09
Four BPM Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Washington Law & Politics Corporate Counsel Editions in 2010
Four BPM Attorneys selected to be included in Washington Law & Politics 2010 Corporate Counsel Editions, featuring a variety of practice areas.
Steven Goldstein, Employment Litigation: Defense, Corporate Counsel Edition, January 2010
James D. Nelson, Business Litigation, Corporate Counsel, March 2010
Joseph D. Hampton, Insurance Coverage, Corporate Counsel, July 2010
Christopher W. Tompkins, Civil Litigation Defense, Corporate Counsel, September 2010
06/28/09
Dana A. Henderson Presented at the Association of Transportation Law Professionals' National Conference
Dana A. Henderson addressed the Association of Transportation Law Professionals' national conference, which was held on June 28-30, 2009 in Denver. She spoke and presented a paper on the topic of federal preemption as it arises in maritime cases.
06/18/09
Steve Goldstein Spoke to the American Payroll Association
Steve Goldstein spoke to the American Payroll Association on the Anatomy of an Employment Claim on June 18, 2009.
06/01/09
Richard D. Ross joins BPM
Betts, Patterson & Mines is pleased to announce that Richard D. Ross has joined the firm as an associate in the Complex Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Ross has nine years of experience, including five years of trial and litigation experience. He currently focuses his practice on product liability, complex litigation and insurance defense. Mr. Ross’s prior experience also includes land use, real estate and environmental law.
06/01/2009
Washington Law & Politics Announces the 2009 Super Lawyers
Four attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in the June 2009 “Super Lawyers” issue of Washington Law & Politics.
Congratulations to our Super Lawyers!
Steven Goldstein
Joseph D. Hampton
James D. Nelson
Christopher W. Tompkins
05/29/09
Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Tompkins recently returned from a national meeting of the Harmonie Group. Mr. Goldstein chaired the meeting which was centered on employment law. The Harmonie Group is a by invitation only organization of independent law firms. Before being invited to join, Harmonie subjects each firm to a rigorous review process to make sure the firm meets the group's standards, ethics and values. BPM has been an active member of Harmonie since 1994.
05/01/09
Troy A. Biddle joins BPM
Betts, Patterson & Mines is pleased to announce that Troy A. Biddle has joined the firm as an associate in the Insurance Coverage Practice Group. Mr. Biddle has over ten years of trial and litigation experience. He currently represents insurance carriers in first party and third party coverage and bad faith matters. Mr. Biddle's prior experience also includes the representation of insurers and insureds in product liability, third party liability, legal malpractice, and maritime matters.
04/10/2009
Christopher Tompkins to be listed in the Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition
Christopher Tompkins will be listed in the Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition in the Civil Litigation Defense practice area. It is scheduled to be published this September.
01/01/09
BPM Announces New Director
Betts, Patterson & Mines, P.S. is pleased to announce that Dana A. Henderson has been elected as a Director of the firm. Ms. Henderson focuses her litigation practice in the areas of transportation, complex and commercial disputes, insurance coverage and extra-contractual claims.
12/09/08
Larry Gottlieb presented at the Effective Handling of CGL & Property Insurance Claims CLE on December 9, 2008
Larry Gottlieb presented at the National Business Institute’s CLE entitled Effective Handling of CGL & Property Insurance Claims, held on December 9, 2008, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Gottlieb presented specifically on First-Party Property Insurance and Special Issues in Property Claim Handling. Mr. Gottlieb is a member of the Northwest Insurance Coverage Association, and was their Chairperson for 2007-2008. He is licensed to practice law in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
09/30/08
Jeffrey S. Tindal joins BPM
Betts, Patterson & Mines is pleased to announce that Jeffrey S. Tindal has joined the firm as an associate in the Insurance Coverage Practice Group. His prior practice focused on insurance disputes, construction disputes, and property and real estate disputes. Additionally, while attending law school, Mr. Tindal was a partner in a mortgage document business. Mr. Tindal received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, and his B.A. from Western Washington University.
09/13/2008
BPM Sponsors the Tabor 100, Ninth Annual Captains of Industry Gala
BPM was a proud Developer of Industry sponsor for the Ninth Annual Tabor 100 Captains of Industry Gala on September 13, 2009. The evening was filled with entertainment, fine dinning and fundraising. To learn more about the Tabor 100, visit their site: www.Tabor100.org.
08/06/08
Steven Goldstein and James Nelson listed in the Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition
Steven Goldstein will be listed in the third issue of Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition in the Employment Litigation Defense practice area. James Nelson will be listed in the same edition in the Business Litigation and International practice areas. It is scheduled to be published this December.
Firm Members Active in Harmonie Group
Christopher Tompkins, Steve Goldstein, and Karen Bamberger have recently represented the firm at Harmonie Group meetings in Miami and Chicago. The Harmonie Group is a by invitation only organization of independent law firms. Before being invited to join, Harmonie subjects each firm to a rigorous review process to make sure the firm meets the group's standards, ethics and values. BPM has been an active member of Harmonie since 1994.
06/04/2008
BPM Sponsors KCWWL 2008 Judical Appreciation and Honors Lunch
BPM sponsored and attended the King County Washington Women Lawyers 2008 Judical Appreciation and Honors Lunch on June 4, 2008 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The recipient of the Betty B. Fletcher Judge of the Year Award was the Honorable Marsha J. Pechman of the United States District Court, Western District of Washington. The recipient of the President's Award was the Honorable Ann Schindler, Chief Judge, Division I Court of Appeals. The recipient of the Vanguard Award was the Honorable Kimberley Prochnau, King County Superior Court. The recipient of the Friend of the Judiciary Award went to Ms. Nancy Sapiro, Staff Attorney, Northwest Women's Law Center.
06/01/08
Washington Law & Politics Announces the 2008 Super Lawyers
Four attorneys from BPM were selected by their peers for inclusion in the June 2008 “Super Lawyers” issue of Washington Law & Politics.
Congratulations to our Super Lawyers!
Joseph D. Hampton
James D. Nelson
Christopher W. Tompkins
04/29/2008
John Braislin and James Nelson represent BPM at LAWorld in Dublin
John Braislin and James Nelson represented the firm at LAWorld's Annual Meeting in Dublin, Ireland from April 30 - May 2. LAWorld is a network of 38 medium-sized, independent law firms from 24 countries with international practices that are well-established in their local jurisdictions. The meeting focused upon opportunities in China. James made a presentation detailing the unique qualifications of LAWorld's American firms. LAWorld proudly welcomed new members from England, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Albania, and Portugal."
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