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Roy A. Umlauf, Mediator

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After 37 years of litigating and trying cases, Roy retired from the litigation firm he helped found (Forsberg & Umlauf).  Roy mediates a broad range of disputes including: catastrophic damages, vehicle accidents, construction, products, personal injury, premises, insurance coverage and bad faith, employment, adult home abuse, sex abuse, professional liability (medical, legal, pharmacy) and government liability.

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Practice Emphasis & Experience:

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  • Asbestos and Toxic Tort 

  • Automobile Liability / Transportation

  • Bad Faith Cases

  • Civil Rights/Discrimination

  • Commercial Litigation

  • Construction Litigation

  • Employment Litigation

  • Insurance Coverage

  • Medical Professionals

  • Premises Liability

  • Product Liability

  • Professional Liability

  • Vehicle Accidents

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Education:

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J.D., University of Puget Sound, summa cum laude, 1985

  • Boldt Scholarship

  • Law Review

B.A., University of Washington, cum laude, 1982 

  • Phi Beta Kappa

Completed Mediating the Litigated Case with Straus Institute, Pepperdine Law School

 

Bar/Court Admissions:

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State of Washington

U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

 

Recognition:

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 • Inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in March 2019. This honor is extended by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.  

 • Jack P. Scholfield Outstanding Achievement Award by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL), 2008

 • WDTL President's Award, 2005

 • Received Washington Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates Lifetime Achievement Award, November 2022

 • Received the King County Bar Association's Outstanding Lawyer Award in June 2022. This award recognizes those who have made a tremendous impact on the practice of law in their community

 • Recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers magazine since 2000 and top 100 lawyer list for Washington state 9 times.

 

Professional & Civic Involvement:

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  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Member (2013 - Present) 

    • Washington State Chapter Executive Board (2017 -  Present, President 2021)

  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow 

  • Foundation for Washington State Courts

    • President (2003-2007, 2011-2016)

    • Vice President (2017 - Present)

    • Trustee (2002 - Present) 

  • King County Bar Association, Member

  • Seattle University Law School, Adjunct Professor

    • Personal Injury Litigation (Spring 2017, 2019)

    • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers President (2000-2001)

  • Washington State Bar Association, Member (1985 - Present)

  • Approved CE/CLE provider for various states, including Florida, New York, New Jersey, Texas and Washington

 

Mediation/Personal Injury ARTICLES & PRESENTATIONS (over 50 CLEs/presentations)

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​ •    Speaker, "Fireside chat with a litigation legend", Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Annual Convention July 2023

 •    Panelist/Speaker, “Ethics in Civil Litigation”, “Ethics in Settlement Negotiations, Mediation” WSBA CLE, September 30,2022

 •    Speaker, Negotiations/Mediation Tactics & Strategy, CLE, October 12, 2022 

 •    Panelist/ Speaker: “Recent Cases/Trends in Ethics Complaints, Malpractice Claims”, Webinar CLE, November 3, 2021

 •    Moderator: “Litigating Civil Jury Trials in 2021: A guide from the bench on how to navigate your case in the age of COVID-19”, ABOTA March 10, 2021

 •    Panelist/Speaker:  “Ethical Considerations with Contingent Fee Representation,” WSAJ, July 29, 2020

 •    Panelist/Speaker:  “Remote Jury Selection in King County Superior Court,” Webinar, July 23 and 30, 2020

 •    Panel Member/Speaker:  “Remote Video Negotiations/Mediations Via Zoom:  Tactics and Strategies,” approved for continuing insurance education credit in Texas and WSBA, April, 2020

 •    Panel Member/Speaker:  “Construction Site Accident Investigation,” February 28, 2020

 •    Speaker:  “Voir Dire, Jury Selection,” American Board of Trial Advocates Masters in Trial Seminar, November 7, 2019

 •    Panel Member/Speaker:  “Ethical Issues Involving Insurance,” “Ethical Considerations: What To Do When You Make a Mistake,” “Let’s Get Ethical: Risk Management Seminar,” November 7, 2019

 •    Speaker/Panelist:  “Settlement Negotiations/Tips/Mediation,” Texas and Florida Department of Insurance Continuing Education Course, October 15 & 16, 2019

 •    Speaker:  “Top Tips for Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethical Complaints,” Seattle University Law School, September 10, 2019 

 •    Panel Member:  “Mock Motions in Limine and Hypothetical Litigation,” Judge/Lawyer Panel, King County Bar Association (KCBA), March 29, 2019 

 •    Speaker:  “Ethics and Risk Management,” KCBA CLE, December 6, 2018

 •    Speaker:  “Top Tips for Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethical Complaints,” Seattle University Law School, CLE, January 29, 2016

 •    Chair/Speaker: “Legal Malpractice Ethical Considerations, Concerns and Trends” New York and New Jersey , CLE, December 2, 2015 

 •    Member of Trial Team Demonstration:  “Masters in Trial Seminar,” ABOTA, November 12, 2015

 •    Speaker:  “Top Tips for Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethical Complaints,”  Seattle University CLE, April 21, 2015

 •    Speaker:  “Legal Malpractice & Insurance Considerations for Immigration Lawyers,” Immigration CLE, December 8, 2014

 •    Speaker:  “Legal Malpractice & Insurance Considerations,” WSJA Ethics Seminar, December 14, 2012

 •    Speaker:  “Cross Examination of Accident Reconstructionist,” Washington ABOTA Masters in Cross Examination, November 1, 2012

 •    Speaker:  “Legal Malpractice and Insurance Considerations for Immigration Lawyers,” AILA Washington Chapter, October 5, 2012

 •    Speaker:  “Legal Malpractice and Insurance Considerations for Immigration Lawyers,” AILAWA CLE, December 5, 2011

 •    Speaker/Moderator:  ”Negotiation Strategies,” CLE, May 15, 2009

 •    Organizer/Speaker:  “Settlement Negotiations Training,” Deerfield, September 28, 2008

 •    Speaker/Moderator:  ”Settlement Negotiations/Arbitration,” October 18, 2007

 •    Moderator and Speaker: “How to Evaluate and Settle the Catastrophic Damage Case,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Annual Convention, July 14, 2006

 •    Contributing Author:  WSBA Motor Vehicle Accident Litigation Deskbook Chapter, “Enforcement and Effective Settlements”

 •    Speaker:  ”Professional Liability and Ethics for Lawyers,” Seabury & Smith CLE (Spokane), February 27, 1998

 •    Chair and Moderator:  ”Evaluation/Negotiations Seminar,” WDTL, March 7-8, 1977

 •    Speaker:  WSTLA Guardian ad Litem Seminar, December 5, 1996

 •    Chair and Moderator:  “Evaluation of Brain/Head Injuries,” WDTL, April 1996

 •    Chair and Speaker:  Professional Liability CLE, presented by Spokane County Bar Association and Seabury & Smith, March 1996

 •    Chair and Moderator: “Evaluation and Negotiations” WDTL CLE, March 1996

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