Dubs Herschlip

Partner

Office: Mukilteo, WA

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Dubs quickly understood our situation and provided excellent legal counsel.

Biography

Dubs Herschlip represents mid-sized companies, including those with over $50 million in annual revenue, and their owners in litigation, arbitration, insurance coverage disputes, and business transactions. He has practiced in Washington for 26 years.

His practice covers both disputes and deals. He has tried cases to juries and judges in state and federal court, handled appeals, and appeared in arbitrations as counsel and as an arbitrator.

On the transactional side, he advises buyers, sellers, and investors on the purchase and sale of businesses, and he negotiates the commercial leases, franchise agreements, software licenses, and manufacturing contracts that growing companies rely on. Because he litigates the same kinds of agreements he drafts, he writes contracts with an eye to how they will be read if a dispute arises.

For companies facing an insurance denial or underpayment, Dubs represents the policyholder. He won a six-day federal jury trial against State Farm under Washington’s Insurance Fair Conduct Act and has handled coverage disputes for businesses in state and federal court. He has also worked with insurance brokers to design and price new business-risk insurance products, which gives him a working knowledge of how carriers assess risk.

Earlier in his career, Dubs worked in government, serving as the City of Seattle’s Land Use Code Enforcement Officer and working for the City of Everett and the Oregon Department of Justice. He draws on that experience when companies need permits, land use approvals, or help on public projects.

He also advises business owners on succession and transition planning, so that a change in ownership or leadership happens on the owner’s terms.

Experience

Co-counseled the defense of a builder in arbitration of a construction contract claim of more than $56 million brought by a developer. The arbitration resulted in no liability for the builder.
Won a six-day jury trial in federal court as lead counsel for an insured under Washington’s Insurance Fair Conduct Act, and defeated the insurer’s post-trial motions. O’Neal v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., No. 2:23-cv-00232-KKE (W.D. Wash.).
Represents businesses in insurance coverage litigation over denied coverage for class action discrimination claims, including counterclaims under the policy’s Employment Practices Wrongful Acts provisions. Houston Cas. Co. v. Awashington, LLC, No. 2:24-cv-01647-BAT (W.D. Wash.); Houston Cas. Co. v. Casal Enters. (W.D. Wash. 2026).
Served as one of the lead attorneys for a surviving spouse in an accidental death claim under a life insurance policy after the insurer denied coverage. Hawthorne v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co., No. CV06-0374RSL (W.D. Wash.).
Represented a homeowner in a coverage action against underwriters at Lloyd’s of London over a claim for stolen personal property. Crawford v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London, No. 12-2-18792-4 SEA (King Cnty. Super. Ct.).
Served as lead counsel for a family seeking homeowner’s and umbrella coverage after their minor son allegedly set a fire that spread from an elementary school dumpster and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, contesting the insurer’s denial based on intentional-act exclusions.
Represented a defendant, cross-claimant, and cross-defendant in a federal interpleader action over insurance policy benefits that also involved the City of Seattle. Standard Ins. Co. v. Nelson, No. C07-0140RSM (W.D. Wash.).
Defended a paralegal at a personal injury law firm against Allstate’s fraud and ethical-violation claims, which resolved by settlement. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Tacoma Therapy, Inc., No. C13-5214 RBL (W.D. Wash.).
Represented a Washington LLC as plaintiff and counter-defendant in a multi-year, international dispute over a clothing brand, involving breach of an operating agreement, breach of the duty of loyalty, and trademark-related claims. Kische USA, LLC v. Simsek, No. C16-0168JLR (W.D. Wash.).
Defended a computer programmer in protecting his intellectual property rights in the code he wrote. November 2nd Inc. v. Mutch, No. 19-2-20864-3 SEA (King Cnty. Super. Ct.).
Represented a business as plaintiff in King County Superior Court and as respondent in two appeals to Division One of the Washington Court of Appeals. Bulk FR8, LLC v. Schuler, No. 75108-5-I (Wash. Ct. App.).
Represented the appellant in an appeal to Division One of the Washington Court of Appeals from an estate contest order. In re Estate of Coaker, No. 74873-4-I (Wash. Ct. App.).
Prepared land use opinions for 26 Washington cities and counties and advised cities on multi-million-dollar public works construction projects.
Advises buyers, sellers, and investors on business acquisitions and sales, including purchase terms, due diligence, and post-closing disputes.
Drafts and litigates international manufacturing agreements, software licenses, and intellectual property rights.
Defends employers in wage-and-hour class actions, including meal and rest break claims.
Resolved multi-million-dollar partnership disputes between business owners.
Served as counsel to banks, including their trust departments and collections groups.
Represented institutional clients, including the Everett Housing Authority.