WILLIAM F. KNOWLES
IVI ADR
Bill@IVIADR.com
206-819-4160
Education
JD, Seattle University School of Law: 1987, Cum Laude
BA, Washington State University: 1983, Cum Laude
Experience
The sole focus of my mediation and arbitration practice is resolving insurance coverage disputes. I draw upon my experience primarily representing insurers since 1987 in both disputes between the insured and insurer, or disputes between insurers.
Up until 2022, my private practice focused on insurance coverage and insurance defense. I have tried coverage cases to juries and the bench in state and federal court, and have tried an assortment of other jury trials, including commercial and personal injury disputes, throughout the state of Washington. I have been admitted specially to represent clients in state and federal court in Alaska, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Utah, Louisiana and Puerto Rico. My experience includes cases that have gone up on appeal to the courts of appeal in Washington and Oregon, the 9th and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. I have done this work with the following firms:
Senior Counsel, Cozen O’Connor, 2022 to present
Member, Cozen O’Connor, 2003 to present
Member, Knowles Ferguson PLLC (and its predecessor), 1996 to 2003
Associate and Partner, Gaitan & Cusack, 1991 to 1996
Associate, Julin, Fosso, Sage, McBride & Mason, 1988 to 1991
Associate, Law Offices of Kenneth B. Shellan, 1988
Bar Admissions
Washington, Oregon and Idaho
U.S. District Courts in Washington, Oregon and Idaho
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth and Tenth Circuits
U.S. Claims Court
Seminars and Publications (sampling - list is not complete)
Co-author, Thorns of 3D Printing, Claims Management Magazine, May 2014
Co-author, Mind the Gaps in General Liability Coverage for Construction Companies Operating in Multiple States, Business Insurance, March 2014
Speaker, Cozen O’Connor National Excess Casualty Claims Seminar, Emerging Trends: 3D Printers, New York, November 2013
Co-Chair and Speaker, HB Litigation Conference: Insurance Bad Faith Law in Washington, November 2013
Co-author, That’s a Wrap, Construction Today, March 2012
Speaker, HB Construction Litigation Leaders’ Forum, Marina del Rey, CA, March 2011
Speaker, The Seminar Group Construction Litigation, Forum Non Conveniens, Seattle
Speaker, Puget Sound Claims Managers Association, Pacific Northwest Coverage Update, 2011 and 2013
Speaker, PLRB Regional Conferences (Indianapolis and Anaheim) 2005, Subject: Construction Liability
Speaker, Mealey's National Conference on Additional Insured status 2005, Subject: Who Is Covered
Co-author, Joint Defense Agreements In Construction Defect Claims, For The Defense, June 2005
Speaker, various NBI seminars including Discovery In Bad Faith Cases (2002 and 2003), Insurance Coverage (1996), Bad Faith Litigation (1998), and Underinsured Motorist Claims (1996 and 1998)
Speaker, Cozen O'Connor Annual Seattle Insurance Client Seminars, 2003-2014, Subjects: Additional Insured Coverage, Owned Property Exclusion, the Washington Condominium Act, and Pacific Northwest Coverage Update
Speaker, Cozen O'Connor National Insurance Client Seminar, 2005, Subject: Additional Insured Coverage
Speaker, various client specific seminars/training sessions, 1996 to 2022
Peer Ratings
Martindale: AV
Washington Super Lawyer, 2006 – 2022 (retired)
Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2024