GMT is lead insurance coverage counsel for the Catholic Bishop of Spokane in federal court in Spokane, along with co-counsel Paine Hamblen of Spokane.  Oregon Auto Insurance Company and various CNA insurance companies moved for summary judgment seeking a declaration that they owed the Diocese no defense or indemnity obligations based on their argument that there was no “accident” within the meaning of the insurance policies at issue (Washington law applies).  The Diocese’s negligent supervision liabilities arise out of historical acts of abuse by some of its priests.

The Court entertained over 120 pages of briefing and two hours of argument on the motions on March 20, 2006.  At the hearing, the Court indicated it would deny the motions and today issued a 42-page opinion doing so.  A copy of the Court’s opinion can be found [here].  Press coverage of the opinion and related matters is [here].

Jim Murray, Christie Snyder and Mark Wilner of GMT are involved in the representation, along with Dan Short and Greg Arpin of Paine Hamblen.