Roy A. Umlauf
Shareholder
Main Phone: 206.689.8500
Direct Line: 206.689.8551
Email: rumlauf@forsberg-umlauf.com
Business Card: 
PRACTICE EMPHASIS AND EXPERIENCE
Accident Investigation
Automobile Liability
Construction Litigation
General Liability Defense
Product Liability
Professional Liability
Roy is a shareholder with Forsberg & Umlauf, P.S. His broad litigation defense practice includes catastrophic damages, construction claims, products and personal injury defense, premises liability, bad faith, legal malpractice, underinsured motorist claims, investigation and preservation of evidence advice.
Personal injury defense litigation (emphasizing catastrophic damages cases), including vehicle accidents, premises liability, construction site claims (including injuries, tender of defense analysis, construction defects and insurance coverage) and product liability. Litigation and advice regarding CGL, and automobile insurance policies (emphasizing UIM claims). Professional liability defense of lawyers, pharmacists, and medical providers. Arbitrator (UIM/King County Superior Court) and Mediator.
EDUCATION
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
Bar / COURT ADMISSIONS
State of Washington
United States District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
honors / awards / unique recognition
- Recognized as a "Super Lawyer 2011" by Super Lawyers magazine
- October 2009 Target Corporation Barrister of the Quarter
- 2008 Outstanding Product Liability Counsel Award from Terex Corporation ( international equipment manufacturer)
- Jack P. Scholfield Outstanding Achievement Award by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL), 2008
- WDTL President's Award, 2005
- DRI Exceptional Achievement/Service Award, 2005
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Defense Verdict/Dismissals for Crane Manufacturers:
Representation of crane manufacturers in two different multimillion dollar product liability matters in 2008 and 2009, received defense verdict after month-long jury trial in one and won summary judgment dismissal in the other.
Defense Verdict in Sufuric Acid Burn Jury Trial:
Representation of haz-mat truck driver training company in personal injury jury trial in 2007, received a defense verdict after two-week long jury trial (Codefendant was hit for $1.1million).
Defense Verdicts for Lawyers in Malpractice suits:
Received defense verdicts for Lawyers in Malpractice suits involving Breach of fiduciary duty, Consumer Protection Act, Negligence, Fraud including jury and judge trials
Defense of Retailers in Premises and Products cases:
Representation of retailers in claim of hot coffee burn resulting in defense award, defense of multiple retailers and premises owners in various premises cases including false arrest, false imprisonment, wrongful death, product cases and defense verdicts or summary judgment motions.
Defense Verdict in Alleged Brain Injury Suit Against Contractor:
Representation of general contractor in alleged brain injury case resulting in defense verdict after 3 week trial.
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
Washington State Bar Association
King County Bar Association
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
--Products Liability Committee (2008-Present)
--President's Award (2005)
--President (2000-2001)
--Trustee (1994-2002)
--Officer (1997-2001)
--Past CLE Chairman
--Past Insurance Committee Chairman
Defense Research Institute
--Washington State Representative (2001-2002)
--Expert Witness Committee Chair (2003-2005)
--Board of Directors, NW Regional Director (2002-2005)
--Past Board Member, Utilization Committee (Chair 2010)
--Medicare Secondary Payer Task Force (2009-2010)
Foundation for Washington State Courts
--President (2003-2007, 2011-Present)
--Trustee (2002-Present)
Past King County Legal Clinic Volunteer (10 years)
Federation Defense Corporate Counsel (FDCC), Member
ARTICLES AND PRESENTATIONS
- Speaker: “Client Testimony Preparation Best Practices,” DRI Products Panel Counsel Meeting, April 10,2012
- Speaker: “Using Video/Surveillance to Evaluate, Settle and Win Cases,” Puget Sound Adjusters Association, March 26, 2012
- Speaker: “Legal Malpractice and Insurance Considerations for Immigration Lawyers,” AILAWA CLE, December 5, 2011
- Speaker: “Lessons Learned Re: IME Video, Video Depositions at Trial,” Forsberg & Umlauf Associate Training CLE, November 8, 2011
- Speaker: “Document! Investigate! Got Surveillance? Save It Now!”, WSBA-endorsed CLE, ICE, November 3, 2011
- Speaker/Panelist: “Defense Counsel’s Perspective on Liability and Settlement,” “Structured Settlement Considerations,” King County Bar Association, Settlement Guardian Ad Litem Training, October 25, 2011
- Speaker, “Crisis Management/Accident Investigation/Preservation of Evidence,” Wells Fargo Insurance Services, October 3, 2011
- Speaker/Panelist, “Oral Argument: Trial Perspective,” Forsberg & Umlauf Associate Training CLE, September 13, 2011
- Speaker: "Estate Planning Pitfalls, Claims, Bar Complaints, Insurance from Defense Counsel’s Perspective,” WSBA CLE, July 20, 2011
- Speaker: “Crisis Management/Accident Investigation/Preservation of Evidence,” Corporate Safety Training, March 23, 2011
- Speaker: “Crisis Management/Accident Investigation/Preservation of Evidence,” Corporate Safety Training, February 4, 2011
- Speaker: “Additional Insurance Issues from Defense Counsel Perspective: Who Is Going to Pay?” WSBA-approved CLE, Risk Management Seminar, November 4, 2010
- Speaker: “Using Demonstrative Exhibits at Trial: Show Me, Don’t Just Tell Me,” WSPA, October 29, 2010
- Chair/Panelist: “Legal Malpractice/Risk Management Essentials,” CLE, Daniels-Head Insurance, Zurich, May 20, 2010
- Speaker: “Medicare Secondary Payer Act From the Defense Perspective,” DRI Webcast CLE, Chicago, May 18, 2010
- Speaker/Panelist: "Using Biomechanics & Medicine to Determine the Mechanics of Injury," WDTL Damages CLE, May 7, 2010
- Speaker/Moderator: “Negotiation Strategies,” CLE, May 15, 2009
- Presenter: "Explaining Your Product/Accident with Demonstrative Evidence," WDTL Product Liability Litigation CLE, December 5, 2008
- Organizer/Speaker: "Settlement Negotiations Training," Deerfield, September 28, 2008
- Speaker: "Opening Statement, Effective Use of Themes and Demonstratives," September 10, 2008
- Speaker: "Using Themes in Opening," KCBA Trial Skills, December 7, 2007
- Moderator and Speaker: "Accident Investigation/Preservation of Evidence," 2007 Risk Management Seminar, November 1, 2007
- Speaker/Moderator: "Settlement Negotiations/Arbitration," October 18, 2007
- Moderator/Panel Member: "IMEs and Plaintiff Experts: Open Discussion and Tips for Defending and Cross Exam," WDTL Annual Meeting, July 13, 2007
- Speaker: "Legal Malpractice & Insurance Considerations for Immigration Lawyers," AILA Ethics and Immigration Law Seminar, October 2, 2006
- Moderator and Speaker: “How to Evaluate and Settle the Catastrophic Damage Case,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Annual Convention, July 14, 2006
- Moderator and Speaker: "Risk Management Issues Contractual Risk Transfer Provisions and Additional Insurance," May 18, 2006
- Numerous seminars/training for clients/insurance carriers concerning various coverage and defense issues including: Evidence Presentation, Accident Investigation, Insurance Coverage, Legal Malpractice, Washington Law, Bad Faith, Settlement Negotiations, Environmental Coverage, Tender Issues, Underinsured Insurance Issues, Risk Management.
- Contributing Author: Underinsured Motorist Law in Washington, Washington Professional Liability Issues and Law, Premises Liability Issues and Law in Washington, Insurance Coverage in Washington, Forsberg & Umlauf Legal Reference Guides
- Contributing Author: WSBA Motor Vehicle Accident Litigation Deskbook Chapter, "Enforcement and Effective Settlements"
- Speaker: "Anatomy of a Motor Vehicle Accident Case: From Investigation to the Courthouse Steps, Damages from Defense Perspective," WSBA, September 23, 2004
- Speaker: "Case Investigations, Facts, Documents and Witnesses"; "Managing Data, Witnesses and Documents Without Technology"; "Trial Preparation, Witnesses and Exhibits," Washington State Paralegal Association Spring Conference CLE, April 30-May 1, 2004
- Speaker: "Taking Tank Seriously in Construction Defect and Other Complex Litigation," WDTL Annual Ethics Seminar, December 12, 2003
- Speaker: "CR 35 Independent Medical Exams", WDTL Annual Convention, July 25, 2003
- Panel Speaker: "Multiple Claims/Inadequate Limits: What Is An Insurer To Do?", Northwest Insurance Coverage Association, October 17, 2002
- Speaker: "Arbitrations", WDTL Seminar, January 17, 2001
- Chair and Moderator: WDTL Annual Convention, July 21-22, 2000
- Speaker: "UIM Arbitration, Jury Trials, Intervention," WDTL Annual Insurance Seminar, November 5, 1999
- Speaker: "Products Liability and Insurance," Seattle University Business Law, Summer, 1998
- 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
- Speaker: "Environmental Insurance Litigation," Seattle University Environmental Law, Spring 1995
- Speaker: "Recent Developments in Insurance Law," Lorman Education Services CLE, March 1995
- Chair: Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Annual Insurance Seminar (Seattle and Spokane), November 1994
- Speaker: "Recent Developments in Insurance Law," Lorman CLE, March 1994
- Presenter: "How to Investigate Environmental Insurance Claims," Regional Seminars (Denver, Chicago, Hartford, Philadelphia), November 1993
- Speaker: "Bad Faith and Legal Malpractice" Panel, PEMCO Casualty Claims Seminar, February 1993
- Speaker: "Is It An Accident?" Lorman, Insurance CLE, August 1992
- Speaker: "Uninsured Motorist Issues," Seattle King County Bar Association CLE, December 1991
- Presenter: "UIM Today," Defense Trial Lawyers Third Annual Insurance Law Seminar/CLE, November 1990
- Speaker: "Overview of Environmental Law," University of Washington Extension Paralegal Program, Fall 1990
- Contributor: Washington Defense Trial Lawyer Annual Insurance Law Summary: 1992-1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997-1998, 1999
