Michael H. Runyan

Michael H. Runyan

Practice Areas

Mike is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and Associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. During his 30 year practice at Lane Powell, he has tried more than 50 jury cases.

Mike's practice includes defense of professional malpractice, product liability, and insurance coverage/bad faith litigation. He has written and lectured extensively on product liability, trial tactics, tort reform, evidence, civil procedure, legal ethics and insurance bad faith. In 2000-2009, he was selected as a Super Lawyer by his peers through Washington Law & Politics and one of the top 100 Super Lawyers. In July of 2001, he was awarded the Jack P. Scholfield Outstanding Achievement Award by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers in recognition of his "outstanding loyalty, leadership, commitment and support of the goals and objectives of the civil defense trial bar." In October, 2002, WDTL members voted him "Outstanding Defense Trial Lawyer."

As his firm's General Counsel, Mike counsels Lane Powell and its attorneys on ethical issues and claims.

Mike is also co-chair of the firm's Trial Practice Group.

Professional Experience

Product Liability Experience

Mike has defended hundreds of product liability cases ranging from household appliances to commercial manufacturing machines. He has defended an aircraft parts manufacturer in a suit brought by fourteen Boeing workers. He has defended oil, shipping, and forest product companies in toxic tort cases. He has also testified before the Washington State Legislature on product liability and tort reform measures. He is a sustaining member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), a select group of product sellers and manufacturers and defense attorneys regularly involved in product liability matters.

Professional Liability Experience

Mike has defended doctors, lawyers, hospitals and other professionals in a variety of professional liability cases. He has testified before the Washington State Legislature on Certificates of Merit.

Insurance Coverage Experience

Mike regularly counsels insurance companies on insurance coverage/bad faith issues. He has represented policy holders as well. He has been retained as an expert to testify in bad faith lawsuits.

Other Professional Experience

· Defense Research Institute, Board of Directors, 1999 - 2002; State Representative, 1994 - 1999

· Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, President, 1992; Trustee, 1988-1993; Ex officio Trustee 1993-2001; Senior Board Advisor, 2001-2004; Past Presidents' Representative, 2004 - present

· Arbitrator, King County Superior Court

· American College of Trial Lawyers

· American Board of Trial Advocates

· Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel

· Association of Defense Trial Attorneys

· Federal Bar Association

· Sustaining Member, Product Liability Advisory Council

· Member of Litigation Section/TIPS, Professional Liability and Products Liability Committees, ABA; ADR and Litigation Committees, WSBA; Product Liability, Toxic Torts and Professional Liability Committees, DRI; Past Presidents Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, WDTL

Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships

· Co-Chair, Lane Powell Trial Practice Group

· Health Care

· Insurance

· Long Term Care and Seniors Housing Client Service Team

· Premises Liability

· Products Liability

· White Collar Criminal Defense, Regulatory Compliance and Special Investigations

Representative Clients

SeaRiver Maritime, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Ashland Chemical Co., Chevron USA, Ferro Corporation, Allied Signal Co., Texaco, Skil Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Life Fitness, Brunswick Corporation, Nordstrom, CNA Insurance, Hartford Insurance

Publications

· Washington Legal Ethics Deskbook Supplement, WSBA, 2008 (Editor)

· "How Birklid v. Boeing Affects An Employee's Mold Case Against His/Her Employee And Necessary Expert Witnesses," WSBA, November 2007

· "Understanding the Rights and Obligations of the Carrier: Insurance Coverage Disputes," Product Liability Advisory Council Fall Conference, October 19, 2006

· "Proposed New Rules for Professional Conduct," Defense News, June 2006

· "Electronic Discovery and Records Management: Best Practices," Product Liability Advisory Council, April 2005

· "Washington Consumer Protection Act", 50 State Survey of Consumer Fraud Statutes, Product Liability Advisory Council, October 2004

· "Anatomy of a Motor Vehicle Case: Alcohol," Washington State Bar Association, September 2004

· "Insurance Bad Faith in the State of Washington," The Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, May 2003

· "Ethical Issues in Liability Defense," Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, November 2002

· "The Need to Return to Basics," March 1993; "DRI Leadership at the State Level," May 1999, For the Defense, The Defense Research Institute

· "Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook," WSBA, 1997, 2002, 2005 (Editor and Author)

· "Civil Trial & Evidence Manual," Chapters 10-17, Washington State Bar Association, 1994, 2001 & 2004 (Editor and Author)

· "Joint Statement on Professionalism," WDTL/WSTLA, 1993 (with Kelby Fletcher) (Co-Author)

· Chapter on "Damages", Washington Practice Manual, Seattle King County Bar Association (Editor)

· "Digest of Insurance Law for Washington," Best's Digest of Recommended Insurance Attorney (Editor)

Awards and Honors

· Elected as Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, December 2003

· Recipient, Outstanding Defense Trial Lawyer, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, October, 2002

· Recipient, Jack P. Scholfield Outstanding Achievement Award, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, July 2001

· Chosen as Super Lawyer 2000-2009, Washington Law & Politics (2002-2008 Top 100 Super Lawyer)

· Recipient, Exceptional Performation Citation, 1993; State Leadership Award 1999, Service Award 2002, DRI

· President's Award 1995, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers

Professional and Community Activities

· Member, Court Funding Task Force, Washington Courts

· Co-Founder and Trustee, Foundation for Washington State Courts

· Coach, Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, Eastside Soccer Federation

· Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center IRB Member

· King County Bar Foundation, Presidents Council Member

· Landmark Donor, Bellevue Art Museum