"As a mediator, I will bring the necessary energy and commitment to your matter to get the job done." Mike Duggan Michael (Mike) Duggan is a full-time mediator dedicated to providing fair, effective and economical mediation services. He mediates the kind of cases he litigated. He has successfully mediated disputes involving personal injuries, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, police and jail liability, civil rights, governmental liability and common carrier liability. Mike spent more than thirty years handling litigation in the King County Prosecutor s office. For more than twenty-five years, he was the attorney in charge of the County s tort litigation and personally handled many of the major cases. He also supervised dozens of civil division attorneys handling complex civil litigation. Over these years, he successfully negotiated more than 1,000 settlements and mediated more than 500 claims and lawsuits. Time and time again, these experiences demonstrated that an agreed resolution of a dispute is usually better for all concerned than the uncertainty, delay, expense, and pain that often comes with hard fought litigation. Those who have worked with Mike or against him in litigation know that he is a person of considerable knowledge, energy, and fairness. In mediation, he now brings that same skill and energy to assist you in achieving a fair resolution of your dispute. As a mediator, Mike Duggan will bring the necessary energy and commitment to your dispute to get the job done.
Michael C. Duggan Firm: Michael Duggan Mediation Service Address: P.O. Box 220 Riverside, WA 98849 E-mail Address: Focus of Mediation Service: Personal Injury cases, Wrongful Death, Motor Vehicle cases, Common Carrier Liability, Police and Jail cases, Highway Design Liability, Governmental Liability, Civil Rights cases, Property and Premises Liability. Legal Experience and Work History: King County Prosecuting Attorney s Office Criminal Division (1973-1977) Tried hundreds of cases, from misdemeanors to homicides Argued numerous appeals King County Prosecuting Attorney s Office Civil Division (1977-2003) Founded and Managed the KCPAO Tort Section (1977-2003) o Tried many tort cases o Successfully negotiated settlements of more than 1,000 cases o Handled more than 500 mediations and arbitrations o Argued numerous tort and civil rights appellate cases o Supervised all Tort Section lawyers o Supervised scores of Civil Division deputies in complex litigation Prosecuting Attorney s Office Outstanding Public Servant Award (2002-2003) Established and Advised King County s Risk Management Program (1977-2003) o Extensive dealings with insurance carriers and insurance coverage issues o Substantial experience counseling clients regarding all aspects of governmental liability from common carrier liability to medical malpractice Frequent Lecturer on Governmental Liability Issues (1980 to present) National College of District Attorneys o Faculty member lecturing nationally on Governmental Liability matters (1984-1995) o NCDA Lecturer of Merit Award (1991) Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys o Numerous lectures and training sessions on various governmental liability issues (1980-2003) Northwest ADR Conference, May 2007 the Aurora Bus Tragedy
Mediation Service (2004 to present) Successfully mediated numerous cases including personal injury, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, police and jail cases, civil rights cases, governmental liability, discrimination, and common carrier cases Certified to serve as a 39.1 mediator in Federal cases Court Admissions: Washington State Supreme Court United States District Court for the Western District of Washington United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Supreme Court of the United States Education: B.A. English Literature, Seattle University (1970) J.D. University of Notre Dame Law School (1973) Personal: Born: Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland (May 27, 1948) Naturalized United States Citizen, Tacoma, WA (July 7, 1958) Graduated: Bellarmine High School, Tacoma, WA (1966) Commercial salmon fisherman, Alaska, summers (1966-1970) Part-time longshoreman, Seattle, WA (1966-1970) Married with four sons (ages 19-24) Interests: various active sports running, hiking, fly-fishing, weightlifting, two dogs
MEDIATION FEE SCHEDULE Half-day mediation (up to four hours)... $600 per party Full-day mediation (up to nine hours)... $1200 per party Evening mediation (up to four hours)... $600 per party Hourly Rate... $300 No Additional Administrative Fees Charged Half and full day rates include any administrative costs and a reasonable time for review of submittals. Additional review of extraordinary submittals (more than 30 pages) will be billed at the hourly rate. Pre-Mediation Conference Included A one-hour pre-mediation conference is included in the half-day or the full-day rate. Additional pre-mediation conference time will be billed at the hourly rate. Testimonials "In over 20 years of experience with mediation, I have never been so impressed with a mediator as I was with Michael Duggan. He worked harder than any mediator I have used in the past. He requested and studied the issues prior to the mediation with an enthusiasm I have never experienced. In a mediation with 2 plaintiffs and 2 defendants who were not in agreement, he carefully studied all of the material the lawyers sent him, talked to each of the lawyers prior to the mediation and asked for additional materials he correctly thought would help settle the case. He understood the issues and was courteous and kind to my clients. They felt they had their "day in court" following the mediation. In my case, we did not settle the case at the mediation, although we were close. Mike kept us focused following the mediation and the case settled a few days later. Mike is at the top of my list of mediators." September 2010 -- Paul Wallstrom, Attorney, Seattle.
"I have known Mike Duggan for over 30 years. For much of that time, he defended King County as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Civil Division. His ability to handle difficult liability cases with lawyering skill, integrity and forthrightness was legendary. Mike was the best kind of public servant, forgoing employment that would have paid him far more money, because of his innate sense of civic duty. Given his many years of experience with challenging cases, thorough knowledge of the law and keen insight into how juries react to different fact patterns, I was delighted when Mike decided to open his mediation practice. His experience and personal skills give him a unique level of insight. Very quickly, Mike has shown that he is a born mediator. In the cases of mine where he has served, both sides emerged very impressed and pleased. Mike is worthy of his Irish heritage, tenaciously and tirelessly exploring all settlement possibilities, refusing to quit until the job is done. He really believes in alternative dispute resolution and uses his considerable knowledge, skill and motivation to make it work. I give him my highest recommendation." -- Bill Bailey, Partner, Fury Bailey, Seattle. "Tired of the usual suspect mediators who are jaded and uninterested in your case, particularly where modest damages are involved? Don t worry, help is available and that help is Mike Duggan. I have used Mike twice during the past year on two soft tissue injury claims. I can t recall a mediator ever taking his role as seriously as Mike does. He brings passion, genuine concern and nonpareil preparation to the process. In fact, he s the only mediator I know who schedules pre-mediation phone conferences with the parties attorneys to familiarize himself with the issues so that the mediation itself is smooth and productive. Mike is highly intelligent, capable and knowledgeable and your smart choice for your next mediation. -- Ken Selander, Attorney, Seattle. "Mike Duggan's depth of real court room experience creates the credibility necessary to help the parties assess the risk of going to trial. Combined with his intellect, patience, and integrity, Mr. Duggan has been very effective in resolving all of the cases that I have mediated with him. I recommend him to other counsel on a regular basis, and do so without reservation." -- Robert L. Christie, Attorney/Principal, Bob Christie Law Group, Seattle.
"Thank you for making an extra effort (from a pre-mediation call that saved time on mediation day to working for several days past our mediation date) to get this difficult high-damages case resolved. Your insight and understanding of the issues was crucial to getting it done. Your experience in working for a governmental entity in the past allowed insight to the parties' positions and procedures that was likely the difference between the case settling or not. This was my first experience in working with you and I now look forward to working with you again." September 2010 -- William L. Weber III, CNA Staff Counsel, Seattle. Mike is dedicated and tireless. He comes prepared, quickly masters the legal issues and the facts, and he develops excellent rapport. I seek him out to resolve the most intractable cases. -- Jesse Wing, Partner, MacDonald Hoague & Bayless Mike did an outstanding job mediating a difficult personal injury case a head-on auto collision with multiple fatalities and severe, permanent injuries. Mike began his preparation well in advance and by the time of the mediation had a firm grasp of the factual and legal issues. At the mediation he was, as the situation required, compassionate, forceful, insightful and persistent and he got the case settled. I would whole-heartedly recommend Mike as a mediator. -- Hayes Goring, Attorney, Bainbridge Island. From the outset of a recent mediation with Mike Duggan, I was impressed by his level of preparation: It was clear that he had read the briefs, that he was familiar with the law of the case, and he was able to recall complex facts from memory. Moreover, he not only listened carefully to my clients, he really heard their concerns in a very compassionate way. Without rushing the process, he carefully kept us focused on the issues, and we were able to obtain a highly satisfactory resolution in less than a day's time, start to finish. It's clear that Mr. Duggan possess a wonderful set of mediation skills, and I look forward to obtaining his services in the future. -- Kenneth M. Brown, Jr., Attorney, Seattle.
"Mike Duggan was the mediator on a very difficult, and emotional, personal injury case I had involving multiple deaths and injuries. All parties were seeking to settle the matter without litigation, if possible. Mike worked tirelessly, through a day long into the night mediation, successfully bringing both sides to settlement. Mike was well prepared when he came to the table and immediately addressed issues in controversy. His preparation and approach worked very well in our case. Debatable matters were handled head on and taken off of the table in the beginning of the mediation, clearing the path to an ultimate settlement. I highly recommend Mike as a mediator and would call on him again to facilitate in a case." -- Eileen M. Schock, Partner, Sanchez, Paulson, Mitchell & Schock, Bremerton. "Mike has served as an arbitrator over the years in numerous cases that I have been involved in. I believe that he is the quickest study of all arbitrators I have been before. Mike was always approachable, dedicated to his task, and unquestionably fair to all parties. He always grasped the task at hand and refused to quit until the job was done. I believe that these talents make him the go to mediator when you have a tough case, or want to settle a case in which difficult facts, parties, damages or personalities are involved." -- John J. Soltys, Partner, Cozen and O'Connor, Seattle. I highly recommend the work of Mike Duggan as a mediator. His work was instrumental in helping the parties come to a mutually agreeable solution to litigation. His knowledge of the subject matter was exceptional, and he helped illuminate aspects of the case. -- Rebecca E. Wendling, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Snohomish County. "Mike Duggan is a hardworking, effective mediator. He prepares thoroughly and works ardently to help the parties reach agreement. Mike dedicates himself to each case, giving 100% every time. This work ethic combined with his legal experience make Mike a great mediator." -- Kathleen Wareham, Mediator, Seattle.
"I practiced with Mike for 20 years and was able to observe first hand the intellect and rigor he brought to each case he tried. I know Mike to be meticulous with the facts, fully knowledgable about the law and truly interested in the right outcome, not just the outcome that was most advantageous. Since Mike has been mediating cases, I've used him on several occasions and was not surprised to see that he brought the same qualities to mediation that served him so well while he was practicing. Above all, Mike is a great listener and I have every confidence that he will strive to bring about a just outcome. I fully endorse his services." -- John Cobb, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County. "Mike successfully mediated a multi-party injury claim with tragic injuries to all parties involved. His years of experience as a litigator were essential in bringing the sides together and obtaining clarity on the liability and damage issues. However, his compassion in helping the families get past the ongoing emotional issues and move toward settlement was even more important to both resolving the claims and helping the families move forward post settlement." -- Dan W. Kilpatrick, Partner, Davidson, Czeisler & Kilpatrick, P.S., Kirkland. "I recommend Mike Duggan as a mediator. He is knowledgable, energetic, and compassionate. He has a thorough understanding of the value of cases and can speak with credibility to both sides. He is particularly knowledgable in government liability cases from his work at the prosecutor's office, but is effective on all types of claims. " -- Kevin Sullivan, Attorney/Principal, Sullivan & Thoreson, Seattle Mike mediated a complicated pre-litigation case involving multiple fatalities and serious injuries to surviving children. I was impressed that he contacted all of the parties in advance of the mediation to gain an understanding of the issues, beyond what was stated in written submissions. He raised issues and concerns before the day of the mediation and then worked tirelessly during a day that lasted almost 15-hours to skillfully bring the mediation to a successful conclusion. I wholeheartedly recommend him as a mediator. -- Robert D. Reinhard, Attorney, Tacoma