Areas of Practice
Gabe Baker has an active litigation practice involving insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, product liability litigation, professional liability litigation, and general commercial litigation. In addition, Gabe frequently advises insurers regarding their coverage obligations and handles subrogation actions.
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
· Admiralty and Maritime
· Insurance
· London
· Native American Affairs
· Professional Liability
Representative Matters and Clients
· Inland Construction Company v. American Specialty Lines Insurance Company, No. CV-09-170-RMP (Eastern District of Washington) Defended Chartis against claims for pollution insurance coverage and allegations of bad faith claims handling
· Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London v. Harvey Construction, No. 09-201484-6 (Spokane County Superior Court, Washington) Handled declaratory judgment action regarding coverage of a construction defect claim
· Thomson v. Estrada and Veroske & Hunt v. Estrada, NOS. 04-2-00716-4 and 04-2-00890-0 (Chelan County Superior Court, Washington). Provided ACE European Group Limited with coverage opinion in regard to negligence action against ACE's assureds. Supervised retained counsel's defense of assureds. Negotiated settlements of claims against assureds, and assureds' coverage claims against ACE
· Port of Everett v. The Hartford Insurance Co., et al, NO. 03-2-07378-2 (Snohomish County Superior Court, Washington) Defend Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London and Certain London Market Insurance Companies against environmental insurance coverage, bad faith insurance claims handling, and Washington Consumer Protection Act claims asserted by the Port of Everett, as well as contribution and indemnity cross-claims asserted by co-defendant insurers
Publications
· "How Long Should it Take for My Insurer to Respond to my Claim?" Puget Sound Business Journal ADR and Litigation Q&A Column Titled "Ask the Legal Professionals" (December 30, 2011)
· "Applying the Insurance Fair Conduct Act," Insurance Law 2008: Top Lawyers on Trends and Key Strategies for the Upcoming Year (2008)
· "The Role of an Insurance Lawyer," Insurance Settlements and Negotiations, Aspatore Books (2006)
· "Ninth Circuit Reviews Environmental Impact of Mass Transit," London Market News (Summer 2004)
· "Supreme Court Finds $145M Damages Award Excessive," London Market News (Fall 2003)
Speaking Engagements
· "The U.S. Claim File: Tips and Tricks for Avoiding Common Pitfalls," London Insurance Market (October 2010)
· "A Series of Unfortunate Events: Recent Developments in Washington Bad Faith Update," London Insurance Market (October 2007)
· "Overview of U.S. Legal System: A Descent into Madness?," London Insurance Market (January 2007)
· "Practical Considerations in eDiscovery Under the New Federal Rules," London Insurance Market (March 2007)
· "U.S. Regulation of Very Bad Things: Security Fraud, RICO, ERISA, Etc.," London Insurance Market (May 2007)
Awards and Honors
· Named as a "Washington Rising Star," Super Lawyers magazine, Insurance Coverage (2011)
Professional and Community Activities
· Northwest Insurance Coverage Association
· Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
· Washington State Bar Association
· Member, Professional Liability Underwriting Society
News
08.09.2011, Thirty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
06.20.2011, Twenty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Named 'Washington Super Lawyers;' Ten Lane Powell Attorneys Named As 'Washington Rising Stars'
01.08.2007, Lane Powell Names Five New Shareholders
10.30.2006, Mesher and Baker Author Chapter in Insurance Publication
Articles
10.01.2004, Bad Faith in Washington