Meet Steve Hansen

Stephen M. Hansen ("Steve") is a Tacoma-based business, real estate and litigation attorney.  For 30 years, he has represented clients in minor and complex business and real estate matters. He is also recognized as a leading attorney in representing individuals who have been injured in automobile collisions and has been named as class co-counsel in class action cases which have resulted in settlements totaling over $100 million for tens of thousands of class members.

Steve has practiced in state and federal courts in Western Washington and other jurisdictions in the United States.  He is recognized for his experience, preparedness, loyalty, and compassionate approach to representing clients.  He strives to resolve disputes creatively through negotiations, arbitration, mediation or trial, when necessary, and his track record is evidence of his commitment to creative problem solving and fairness.

Although he tries to resolve disputes outside of the tensions of litigation, when necessary, Steve possesses the skills and experience from almost three decades of practice to fully represent the rights and interests of his clients in the courtroom.

Along with his strong commitment to his clients, Steve is also committed to the Tacoma community in which he lives and works. He has served on local boards of directors and has been actively involved in civil, professional and legal associations and groups.

Representative Matters

Busani v. USAA, Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 99 2 08217 1.  (Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage of automobile diminished value (i.e., resulting loss in value to vehicle wrecked in collision and subsequently repaired) claims).  Settlement of $5,637,369.00 paid to 17,371 class members. 

Moeller v. Farmers Insurance et al., Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 99 2 07850 6; 155 Wn.App. 133, affirmed 173 Wn.2d 264; 267 P.3d 998 (2011); (First party insurance coverage of automobile diminished value claims).  Settlement of up to $48,500.00 made available to 51,000 + class members on.

Merrill v. PEMCO, Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 13 2 13764 5.  (Uninsured Motorist and Collision coverage of automobile diminished value (i.e., resulting loss in value to vehicle wrecked in collision and subsequently repaired) claims).  Settlement of $15,000,000.00 made available to 17,000+ class members. 

Laughlin v. Allstate et al., Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 02-2-10380-0.  (Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage of automobile diminished value claims).  Settlement of up to $23,000,000.00 made available to class members.

Rose v. Nationwide Insurance et al., Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 02-2-06621-1.  (Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage of automobile diminished value claims).  Settlement of up to $35,700,000.00 made available to 101,000 class members.

Shin v. Esurance, United States District Court, Western District of Washington, Case No. 08-CV-05626-RBL.  (Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage of automobile diminished value claims).  Settlement of up to $792,480.00 made available to 2,500 class members.

Martin v. Hartford Insurance Co. et al., United States District Court, Western District of Washington, Case No. 08-CV- 5651- RJB.  (Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage of automobile diminished value claims).  Settlement of up to $7,448,175.00 made available to 23,645 class members.

Franciscan Medical Group v. Premera Blue Cross et al., Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 02-2-05983-5.  (Representation of Washington physicians and health care providers regarding insurance billing practices.) 

Malloque v. MultiCare, Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 10-2-10146-8. Settlement obtained on behalf of class of Registered Nurses in claims for Wage/Overtime violations.

McClurkin v. First American Payment Systems, Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 10-2-09671-5 (Representation of class of sales employees in claims for Wage/Overtime violations). Settlement of up to $2,000,000.00 made available to class members.

Mansker v. Farmers, Pierce County Superior Court Cause No. 11 2 06668 7.  (Uninsured Motorist coverage of automobile diminished value (i.e., resulting loss in value to vehicle wrecked in collision and subsequently repaired) claims).  Settlement of $6,100,000.00 made available to 8,900+ class members. 

Presentations & Publications

Speaker, Rental Housing Association “TRENDS” Trade Show (Construction Lien law and Unlawful Detainer law); Washington Association for Justice “Insurance Law Basics” Seminar (Automobile Diminished Value)

Author, Regular contributor to Rental Housing Association Newsletter

Professional & Civic Involvement

• American Inns of Court, Hon. Robert H. Bryan Chapter
• Washington Association for Justice (Eagle Member)
• American Association for Justice, Member
• Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, Current member, Board of Directors
• Child Guidance Association, Past member, Board of Directors
• Children’s Home Society, Past member, Board of Directors
• Seattle’s Table, Past member, Board of Directors
• Tacoma Children’s Museum, Past member, Board of Directors

Honors / Awards / Unique Recognition

Recognized as “Mediator of the Year” by Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution

Education

• J.D., University of Puget Sound School of Law, 1985
• American Jurisprudence Book Award, Constitutional Law
• B.A., University of Washington School of Business, 1982

Bar/Court Admissions

• Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
• Washington State Bar Association
• Washington State Courts
• U.S. District Court