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also known as Mel Crawford
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.
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Chat withState: Washington
Acquired: 1993
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3244 N.E. 103rd St., Seattle, WA, 98125
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
"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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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
2015 - Present
Sole Practitioner, Law Office of Mel Crawford
1999 - 2015
Partner, MacDonald Hoague & Bayless
1993 - 1999
Associate Attorney, MacDonald Hoague & Bayless
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
Member
Judgment entered against Sedgwick Claims Management Services
Judgment against Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston
Judgment entered against Prudential Insurance Company
Judgment against Unum
Judgment against Hartford
Settlement for $645,000.00
Court entered judgment in favor of all workers.
Ninth Circuit held short-term disability benefits are wages.
Court ordered de novo review of ERISA case
Plaintiff recovered all LTD benefits owing to her
Claim alleging Aetna breached its fiduciary duties sustained by Court
1993
JD - Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude
1990
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2003
Wage and Hour Law
2000
Employee Handbooks
N/A
Guest Lecturer: Employment Law
2003
2003
2000
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides