Ronald J. Clark

Practice Experience

Ron Clark brings a trial lawyer's expertise and experience to bear in cases involving insurance coverage litigation and bad faith, product liability and general tort actions. His representation focuses on the Western states including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Alaska in state and federal courts.

Ron's trial experience includes more than 40 trial verdicts. Clients benefit from his background because he understands the opportunities and risks of taking cases before a jury and judge. Ron has defended some of the largest national insurance carriers in coverage litigation and bad faith matters across the Northwest and in other jurisdictions. A large portion of Ron's work involves defense of bad faith claim-handling allegations.

In product liability, Ron has defended manufacturers in heavy equipment and chemical industries. His work in product liability is complemented by defense of general tort actions that span several industries.

Professional associations and clients call on Ron to present programs on insurance coverage, trial practice and defense strategies. In addition to speaking and writing, Ron serves on relevant committees and boards of both insurance and professional legal associations. He also served on Bullivant's board of directors.

Representative Trials

Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith

• Wild Waters, LLC, et al. v. Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company – Idaho (2014) (Coverage suit involving a vandalism claim and application of the Vacancy clause in the policy, as well as contentions of waiver and estoppel against the insurance company – defense verdict)
• Prime Alliance Bank v. Travelers Property Casualty Company of America – Utah (2013) (Coverage and bad faith claims following alleged theft of large commercial LED signs)
• Port of Longview v. Arrowood Indemnity, et al. – Washington (2013) (environmental contamination claim)
• Dat Kim Partners v. Travelers, Ada County District Court – Idaho (2012) (insurance coverage and bad faith suit following restaurant fire)
• F.C. Bloxom Co. v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., United States District Court – Washington (2012) (insurance coverage and bad faith suit on ocean marine policy)
• Ramparts, Inc. v. American Ins. Co., United States District Court – Nevada (2011) (first party property and bad faith case involving collapsed floor at casino)
• Metawave Communications Corp. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., et al, California state court and Court of Appeals ($18 million business interruption claim and bad faith allegations tried and won in California State Court and also on appeal)
• Hartford Financial Services Corp. v. Cleveland Public Library, Federal Court in Cleveland, Ohio and 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ($10 million property coverage and bad faith claim tried and won in trial court and also on appeal)
• Mancuso v. American Family Ins. Company, Oregon federal district court (fire claim and related tort claims defeated at jury trial based on insured's misrepresentations)
• Traders & General Ins. Co. v. Freeman, Federal Court in Oregon and on appeal (Arson defense to coverage claim involving "innocent co-insured" won at trial, and also on appeal)
• Koldkist-Beverage Ice., Inc., et al v. Liberty Northwest Ins. Co., Oregon state court (Fraud and bad faith claim won at trial)
• Linda Lochard v. American Family Life Insurance Company (2009) Defense verdict at trial in a life insurance case defended based on misrepresentations by the decedent in the application.

Product Liability Suits

• Roorda v. Pierce Manufacturing, et al. – Washington (2013), Product liability suit involving fire truck
• Weeg v. Lewis Bros. Rental Co., Oregon state court case involving allegedly defective back hoe, won in state court
• Fite-Frazer v. Portland Party Works, Inc., Oregon state court case involving allegedly defective product at convention, won in state court
• Holbrook v. Gowan Company, Oregon state court case involving allegedly defective herbicide, won in state court

Miscellaneous

• Whittington v. American Family Insurance, Malicious Prosecution case, won in Oregon state court
• Haatia v. American Family Insurance, Defamation case, won in Oregon state court
• Odd Fellows Cemetery Assoc. v. Schenck Communications, Inc., Timber Trespass case, won in Oregon state court
• McCarty v. Trend Setter Home Improvement, Employers Liability case, won in Oregon state court
• Loftus v. Westberg, Wrongful Death case, $400,000 plaintiff's verdict in Oregon state court
• Approximately 20 other jury trials in addition to those listed above