Guy Michelson (Emeritus)

(206) 621-1407

[email protected]

Guy Michelson (Emeritus)

Admitted in Washington

Mr. Michelson is a retired founding partner of the firm, and served as the Managing Partner of the firm from 1999 to 2016. We are proud to call him one of our “emeritus” partners. Previously, he was a member in Bogle & Gates PLLC’s Litigation Department. Mr. Michelson’s litigation experience covered a wide range of commercial disputes, including contract claims, class action defense, and products liability cases. He was selected as a “Super Lawyer” by the readers and editors of Washington Law & Politics.

Professional Associations

  • Washington State Bar Association

  • King County Bar Association

Education/Background

  • J.D., Stanford Law School, 1976

  • B.A., Political Science, University of Washington, 1973

Featured Cases

Hearst Communications, Inc. v. The Seattle Times Company

Representation of The Hearst Corporation in contract dispute arising out of the Joint Operating Agreement between The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Seattle Times under which Seattle’s two daily newspapers were published for more than 20 years.

Zenith v. Purolator

Representation of Washington aircraft parts manufacturer in suit against Purolator Products for breach of contract and misrepresentation arising out of our client’s purchase of an aircraft carburetor line from Purolator. Claims in excess of $6 million.

Class Action Litigation

Defense verdict in four-week jury trial defending a national transportation company against multi-million-dollar claims that its independent contractor drivers were employees.

Pateman v. General Electric Company

Defense of General Electric in subrogation action brought by certain underwriters at Lloyds of London seeking to recover $5 million paid by the underwriters to injured crewmen (and the estate of one deceased crewman), stemming from an engine room fire aboard an ocean going tug owned and operated by plaintiff’s insured.

More Representative Cases

Hearst Communications, Inc. v. The Seattle Times Company

Representation of The Hearst Corporation in contract dispute arising out of the Joint Operating Agreement between The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Seattle Times under which Seattle’s two daily newspapers were published for more than 20 years.

Zenith v. Purolator

Representation of Washington aircraft parts manufacturer in suit against Purolator Products for breach of contract and misrepresentation arising out of our client’s purchase of an aircraft carburetor line from Purolator. Claims in excess of $6 million.

Garrett v. Swedish

Representation of investors in a medical resonance imaging facility regarding a multi-million dollar claim against the general partner. Settled, terms are confidential.

SIM-CO v. GECA

Representation of insurance broker in multi-million dollar contract dispute with General Electric Assurance Company. Settled, terms are confidential.

Public Communications Services, Inc. v. DOC/DIS

Representation of Public Communications Services, Inc., in contract dispute with the Washington State Department of Corrections and Department of Information Services, arising out of a RFP for inmate telephone services valued at over $132 million, which was awarded to Public Communications Services, Inc. and then canceled by the State of Washington.

Magotteaux International v. Canica

Representation of Belgian company in a complex commercial dispute with a Washington corporation involving alleged breach of contract and misappropriation of intellectual property concerning seven contracts affecting business relations between the parties on three continents. Claims in excess of $14 million.

Boyd v. Davis: Representation of Dr. Davis

A Washington physician, in a suit against another Washington physician for alleged breach of contract arising out of the purchase of a medical practice in Bellevue, Washington. The claims were successfully arbitrated, and the arbitration award was affirmed by the Washington Supreme Court in what is now the leading case on arbitration law in Washington. Claims in excess of $800,000.

Data Dimensions, Inc. v. Unisys Australia Ltd.

Representation of Unisys in contract/trade secret dispute arising out of licensing agreement regarding Y2K products and services. Claims in excess of $5 million.

Nevill v. Greyhound Leasing & Financial Corporation

Defense of Greyhound in action brought by Seattle-based joint venture alleging breach of a commitment to finance purchase of a fishing vessel. Claims in excess of $6 million.

Landreth Timber Co. v. Ivan K Landreth

Defense of Mr. Landreth in securities fraud action brought by purchasers of a sawmill. Claims in excess of $4 million. Following a successful motion for summary judgment on behalf of our client, the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court for a ruling on the “sale of business” doctrine.

Landreth Timber Co. v. Ivan K Landreth

Defense of Mr. Landreth in securities fraud action brought by purchasers of a sawmill. Claims in excess of $4 million. Following a successful motion for summary judgment on behalf of our client, the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court for a ruling on the “sale of business” doctrine.

Class Action Litigation

Defense verdict in four-week jury trial defending a national transportation company against multi-million dollar claims that its independent contractor drivers were employees.

Plunkett v. Ed Glenn Distributor, Inc.

Representation of ExxonMobil in class action litigation arising out of distributor’s alleged misbranding of gasoline products. Claims in excess of $12 million. Summary Judgment in favor of ExxonMobil dismissing all of plaintiffs’ claims.

Pateman v. General Electric Company

Defense of General Electric in subrogation action brought by certain underwriters at Lloyds of London seeking to recover $5 million paid by the underwriters to injured crewmen (and the estate of one deceased crewman), stemming from an engine room fire aboard an ocean going tug owned and operated by plaintiff’s insured.

Magotteaux International v. Canica

Representation of Belgian company in a complex commercial dispute with a Washington corporation involving alleged breach of contract and misappropriation of intellectual property concerning seven contracts affecting business relations between the parties on three continents. Claims in excess of $14 million.

Data Dimensions, Inc. v. Unisys Australia Ltd.

Representation of Unisys in contract/trade secret dispute arising out of licensing agreement regarding Y2K products and services. Claims in excess of $5 million.

Westside Securities Litigation

Defense of outside directors of Westside Federal Savings & Loan Association in five suits (including two class actions), brought by shareholders and depositors following the bank’s failure. Claims in excess of $20 million.