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Mel L. Crawford
also known as Mel Crawford
About Mel
Biography
I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1993, after working as a ranch hand, baker and mental health counselor.
I was fortunate to spend twenty-two years with the Seattle law firm MacDonald Hoague & Bayless - a wonderful place that truly worked to advance justice and goodness. In 2015, I formed a firm to specialize in my favorite practice area -- helping people who have been denied short-term disability and long-term disability benefits. Most of these cases fall under the federal law known as "ERISA." My practice is now 100% devoted to this area of the law. I like it.
I litigate against the major disability insurance companies, including Prudential, Hartford, New York Life, CIGNA, Unum, Aetna and others. I represent people with a broad range of disabling conditions. For more information about my ERISA disability benefits practice, please visit my website, easily found with any search engine.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Fees and Rates
Cost
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 32 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Mel Crawford
3244 N.E. 103rd St., Seattle, WA, 98125
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Mel L. Crawford's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
77 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (77)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Discrimination
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Discrimination
Disability claim Expertise
My employer was a large software company and at first, I didn't have much confidence that my case would have a positive outcome. I was wrong. Not only did Mr. Crawford, review all the legal documents; he also prepared expeditious replies and ultimately I received fair compensation. As a client, I a...
Mel L. Crawford's Lawyer Endorsements
"I was opposing counsel to Mel on a few different disability insurance matters when I represented insurance companies. My client would always complain when she heard that Mel was opposing counsel, stating that it would cost the insurer a lot to settle any case with him. He is very good at his job, and anyone would be lucky to have him as their attorney."
"Mel is an outstanding advocate. I often recommend clients to him on ERISA and disability insurance matters. He gets excellent results. He's hard-working and smart! What more could you ask for?!"
"I have known Mel Crawford for 15 years. He is among the brightest, most dedicated, and talented lawyers I know. Mel is one of the truly outstanding civil litigators in Washington State and I strongly endorse him."
"I've had the great pleasure of working with Mr. Crawford as co-counsel on a significant personal injury case. The decision to co-counsel with Mr. Crawford resulted from my experience with Mr. Crawford as opposing counsel in several employment-related litigation cases. Not only was Mr. Crawford a consummate professional in our dealings as opposing counsel, but he displayed true compassion for his clients. More importantly, Mr. Crawford worked tirelessly to achieve great success on his clients' behalf. I recommend Mel Crawford without equivocation and with sincere appreciation for his efforts and dedication on his clients' (and co-counsel) behalf."
"Mel is a very bright and thorough trial lawyer. Mel and I have worked together on the opposite side of a difficult wrongful death case. Since we resolved our case, I have referred several plaintiffs' personal injury cases to Mel."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have know Mel for many years and can tell you that should you hire him, you will not only be getting a very smart lawyer who practices with the utmost integrity, but you will also be gaining a person who cares very deeply about your personal plight."
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Experience
Honors
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Member, Who's Who In American Law
2011
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
2010 Best Lawyers, Seattle Met Magazine
1994
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Sole Practitioner, Law Office of Mel Crawford
1999 - 2015
Partner, MacDonald Hoague & Bayless
1993 - 1999
Associate Attorney, MacDonald Hoague & Bayless
Associations
1999 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of WashingtonAdmitted
1998 - Present
United States Supreme Court BarAdmitted
1996 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitAdmitted
1995 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of WashingtonAdmitted
1994 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
1993 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
Washington Employment Lawyers Association
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Gallupe v. Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc., 358 F.Supp.3d 1183 (2019)
Judgment entered against Sedgwick Claims Management Services
Anderson v. Liberty Mut. Long Term Disability Plan, --- F.Supp.3d ---- (W.D. Wa 2015)
Judgment against Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston
Mirick v. Prudential Ins. Co. of America, -- F.Supp.3d ---- (W.D. Wa 2015)
Judgment entered against Prudential Insurance Company
Hogan v. Unum Life Ins. Co.of America, -- F.Supp.3d --, 2015 WL 339576 (W.D. Wa. 2015)
Judgment against Unum
Lamuth v. Hartford Life and Acc. Ins. Co., 30 F.Supp.3d 1036 (W.D. Wa. 2014)
Judgment against Hartford
Doe v. Insurance Company
Settlement for $645,000.00
Beach et al. v. JD Lumber, Inc.
Court entered judgment in favor of all workers.
May v. Honeywell, Inc. and MetLife
Ninth Circuit held short-term disability benefits are wages.
Kull v. Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and Hartford Life Insurance Company
Court ordered de novo review of ERISA case
Maher v. Aetna Life Insurance Co., 186 F.Supp.3d 1117 (2016)
Plaintiff recovered all LTD benefits owing to her
Bunger v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, 196 F.Supp.3d 1175 (2016)
Hancock v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 251 F. Supp. 3d 1363 (W.D. Wash. 2017)
Claim alleging Aetna breached its fiduciary duties sustained by Court
Reetz v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., 294 F. Supp. 3d 1068 (W.D. Wash. 2018)
Education
1993
Harvard University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude
1990
Antioch University-Seattle
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2003
Wage and Hour Update
Wage and Hour Law
2000
Contract Law Essentials
Employee Handbooks
N/A
Seattle University
Guest Lecturer: Employment Law
Publications
2003
Lorman Educational Services
Payroll Record-Keeping Requirements
2003
Lorman Education Services publication
Deductions from Pay
2000
Thompson Promises
Context, Extrinsic Evidence and the Employment Relationship (presented at Washington State Bar Association CLE “Contract Law Essentials – The Berg v. Hudesman 10th Birthday Celebration”)
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides