J. William Ashbaugh

ashbaugh@sohalang.com

206-654-6609

Will is Of-Counsel with Soha & Lang where he practices in the area of insurance law. Will’s current practice emphasizes insurance coverage advice, insurance litigation, appellate practice, contract drafting and review.

Will is coverage counsel for the largest joint self-insurance association of Washington counties, the largest joint self-insurance association of Washington cities and the largest joint self-insurance association of Washington public utility districts. He has represented clients in several multi-million dollar insurance coverage cases involving water intrusion, construction defect, earthquake damage, and personal injury. He has also represented clients in major commercial cases involving product liability and construction issues, and represented the seller in a multi-million dollar merger and acquisition.
In his free time, Will enjoys reading, distance running, hiking, backpacking, camping, and exercising his two German wire-haired pointers.

ADMISSIONS

• Will is admitted in Washington state and federal courts.

EDUCATION

• University of Washington, J.D. 1991
• University of Washington, B.A., 1985

HONORS AND INVOLVEMENT

• Rated A.V. – Preeminent by Martindale.com
• Washington Super Lawyer – 2019-24

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Clark County, et al. v. Washington Counties Risk Pool, Counsel for risk pool – obtained summary judgment dismissal of claim for declaratory judgment seeking defense and indemnification of multimillion dollar civil rights lawsuit.
• KBJ Investments, LLC v. Colony Insurance Company, Counsel for policyholder who obtained multimillion dollar settlement for earthquake damage arising from 2001 Nisqually earthquake.
• Alaska National Insurance Company v. Bryan, 125 Wn. App. 24, 104 P.3d 1 (Wash. App. 2004). Obtained summary judgment for insurer in declaratory judgment action which also involved $43 Million counterclaim for breach of contract and bad faith claims handling.
• Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London Subscribing to Certificate No. A01BF201 v. Strid, 2005 WL 894844 (Wash. App. 2005). Obtained summary judgment for insurer in declaratory judgment action arising from multi-million dollar wrongful death claim.
• Northwest Pine Products, Inc. v. Cummins Northwest, Inc., 126 Or. App. 219, 868 p.2d 21 (Or. App. 1994). Obtained summary judgment for defendant enforcing contractual limitation of liability.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Author: “The Distinctive Nature of Insurance Policies” – NBI Seminar (December, 2008)
• Author: Defense under a Reservation of Rights: A Primer – WSBA Business Law Section, Spring 2008
• Co-Author: “A Policyholder’s View of Defense Counsel’s Ethical Duties” – NBI Seminar (February 2008, December 2008)
• Co-Author: “Overview of Liability, Property, Builders Risk and Surety Insurance – Issues for the Construction Professional,” – WSB CLE (2001-2008)
• Co-Author: “Special Focus on Insurance: Check it Out,” – The Washington Journal, (November, 1999)
• Co-Author: “Perspectives: “Insurance for Alternative Health Care,” – The Washington Journal, (February, 2000)
• Co-Author: “Supreme Court Suggests New Arguments for Coverage,” – The Washington Journal, (June, 2000)
• Co-Author: “Staying out of Court and in Business” – Archipelago Publishing (1997)