Mel L. Crawford

Mel L. Crawford

also known as Mel Crawford

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 32 years

Insurance Lawyer at Seattle, WA
Practice Areas: Insurance

3244 N.E. 103rd St., Seattle, WA

About Mel

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Insurance 100%

Mel represents people who have been denied short-term disability or long-term disability benefits. He has litigated numerous cases under "ERISA," the federal law that governs most employee benefits.

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 32 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1993

Active

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

5.0 /5.0

77 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 52 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Aaron | June 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability

Compassionate and caring legal expert

Mel is an absolute professional. He helped me navigate a serious change to my health which impacted my ability to work. He helped me understand the benefits available to me and represented me when working with the insurance company. I have no doubt that without Mel's expertise, we would still be sor...ting through the process and requirements to ensure I get the healthcare and benefits I need. Thank you, Mel,!

Posted by anonymous | May 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability

When you need help with your disability claim, Mel Crawford is the lawyer who can help

Mel brings tremendous expertise and knowledge to his work with clients struggling with disability claims. He knows exactly what steps to take when an insurance company denies a claim that clearly should be covered due to medical necessity. He remains calm and supportive throughout the process, and ...brings a positive attitude and good humor to a distressing situation. Mel effectively explained the dense and complex information sent by the insurance company and made specific and helpful suggestions as to how best to respond to correspondence and actions taken by the company, and when and if to take legal action. He also helped me to work with my doctors to ensure that I and they were providing the correct medical information to support my claim. His work on my year-long case resulted in the company deciding to approve my claim after multiple denials. I am so grateful for his help and would recommend Mel to anyone in need of a fantastic disability lawyer.

Posted by anonymous | July 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Insurance

Mel was the difference between winning and losing

My experience with Mel Crawford was outstanding. He came highly recommended and he exceeded my expectations. He clearly communicated what to expect during the process, and it unfolded as he said it would. His detail knowledge of this niche area of the law saved the day. He was very responsive and ...listened to me all along the way. If I had tried to challenge my insurance company without him, I would have surely failed.

Posted by Lisa | May 26, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability

My highest recommendation, Mel Crawford is the real deal

I hired Mel Crawford in 2021 for my disability case and I’m grateful for the hard work he has put into it. There have been a lot of insurance-related obstacles and I can confidently say that Mel has advised me like no one else throughout a stressful process. Mel is very responsive, and a positive lig...ht each time I feel a new phase in my case is seemingly unfavorable or too challenging. He sheds light on the insurance company’s intent, helps me field questions from my doctors, and keeps all content well organized for me. I have had positive after positive outcome navigating the disability process thanks to Mel. I highly recommend him to help you.

Posted by anonymous | May 02, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Insurance

Reliable, Knowledgeable and Kind

Mel, was key in successfully navigating my disability insurance denial/appeal and then later, a buyout offer. It was often a great relief knowing we could count on him and that we had his expertise on the case each step of the way. He has been reliable, knowledgeable and kind. Of important note is th...at his fee structure was fair.

See All Client Reviews

Mel L. Crawford's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Mel
Stacy Monahan Tucker headshot
Stacy Tucker

Insurance lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"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."

Alexander J. Higgins headshot
Alexander Higgins

Employee benefits lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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?!"

Robert S. Mahler headshot
Robert Mahler

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Jeffrey Erich Foster headshot
Jeffrey Foster

Litigation lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Kenneth M Odza headshot
Kenneth Odza

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"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."

Kevin Lederman headshot
Kevin Lederman

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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 Washington

Admitted

1998 - Present

United States Supreme Court Bar

Admitted

1996 - Present

United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit

Admitted

1995 - Present

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington

Admitted

1994 - Present

King County Bar Association

Member

1993 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

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)

See More Legal Cases

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

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