Michael S. DeLeo

Michael DeLeo’s practice focuses on high stakes commercial litigation and transactional work specific to his areas of practice.  As one of the region’s foremost banking, financial institutions, construction, and insurance defense attorneys, his roots run deep in Washington state’s legal and business markets.

Mike remains closely engaged in the expansive growth of Bellevue, Seattle, and outlying cities in the western and eastern parts of the state.  He takes great pride in representing his clients, helping solve their problems, and meeting their objectives, and is always focused on reaching optimal outcomes.

Mike is meticulously involved in addressing legal issues covering virtually every aspect of banking law, creditor rights issues, and the needs of financial institutions.  He is a Subchapter V of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trustee, appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. States Trustee.  In the construction industry, Mike handles regulatory and licensing issues.  He also has a long and successful track record in the insurance defense arena.

Banking and Creditors’ Rights

Mike represents banks and other financial institution clients in federal, state, and bankruptcy courts.  He provides strategic business advice and general counseling covering a wide variety of issues.  Mike has represented some of the world’s largest institutional lenders, regional banks, and numerous private lenders.  The broad range of work he provides includes:

• Loan documentation
• Loan workouts
• Litigation
• Collection actions
• Defense of avoidance actions
• Wrongful foreclosure defense
• Bankruptcy matters
• Receiverships
• Regulatory issues

Construction Law

As the fastest growing state in the nation – for a second consecutive year – Washington’s construction market is like no other; and for almost three decades Mike has remained a solid presence in the industry.   His work includes representing one of the largest building and construction supply companies in the world.  He has truly done it all.  Mike advises and represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, and professionals (architects-engineers) with business-related issues, and also litigates and arbitrates on their behalf.  He is a committed advocate for his clients, working tirelessly to seek quick and effective resolutions.  When conflicts cannot be resolved outside the courtroom, Mike is fully prepared to represent clients in trial.  His work in this area includes:

• Development and drafting of contracts
• Defending defective design and workmanship claims
• Payment and delay disputes
• Purchase and supply agreements
• Bid stage issues
• Bond releases
• Construction lien and public works claims

Mediation and Arbitration

In addition to his legal practice, Mike is a Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution trained mediator.  He serves as both an arbitrator and a mediator.  Mike has successfully mediated several exceedingly complex cases, including convoluted business matters, difficult partnership disputes, complicated consumer claims, bankruptcy disputes, and many property damage and personal injury claims (some of which involve confounding insurance coverage issues).

• Panel Mediator and Executive Committee Chair, for the Honorable Thomas T. Glover Bankruptcy Mediation program 
• Panel Arbitrator for Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties for nearly 10 years
• Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law, Mediating the Litigated Case, completed October 2020
• Pierce County Pro Tem settlement judge, appointed 2021
• U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Trustee appointed Subchapter V small business bankruptcy trustee (the paramount role of the Sub V trustee is mediating a plan of reorganization between the small business debtor and its creditors)

Mike is a Certified Mediator for bankruptcy matters, and also a panel arbitrator in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.

Personal

Outside of the office, Mike is an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast.  He enjoys spending time with his family exploring the endless hiking trails of the great northwest.   He’s also a long-time soccer and basketball player as well as recreational golf when time and weather allow.