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Michelle E. Piziak

Education

  • J.D. West Virginia University
    B.S. West Virginia Institute of Technology

Bar Admissions

  • West Virginia


Michelle E. Piziak
Of Counsel

Michelle E. Piziak
Of Counsel

Michelle Piziak concentrates her practice in the areas of general litigation, insurance coverage, and extra-contractual matters. Ms. Piziak’s practice also involves reviewing insurance policies, researching insurance coverage issues, drafting coverage opinions, representing clients in coverage disputes, and representing clients in bad faith or other extra-contractual claims, including administrative proceedings before the West Virginia Insurance Commission.

Ms. Piziak also represents clients in fraud and arson cases involving insurance matters. Specifically, she has handled examinations under oath, claim evaluations, and settlement negotiations. 

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Sought declarations of the existence or non-existence of coverage under various types of insurance policies
  • Drafted summary judgment motions for insurance carriers on claims that the carriers acted in bad faith and committed unfair claims settlement practices
  • Conducted numerous examinations under oath on behalf of insurance carriers investigating suspicious claims
  • Represented a number of insurance carriers in administrative actions before the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner
  • Litigated numerous cases for insurance companies in a variety of coverage and "bad faith" matters

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 1997
    Steptoe & Johnson

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AWARDS

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Super Lawyers® Rising Star
  • Insurance Law Committee, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
  • Insurance Law Committee, Defense Research Institute

INDUSTRY / CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS

  • International Association of Arson Investigators

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Fire/Explosion Cause and Origin Investigations in West Virginia: Developing Viable Subrogation Claims and Managing Experts from the Forensic and Legal Perspectives (Lorman, July 2006)