Our Approach

We work smart. This means we combine a disciplined understanding of insurance law with strategy and common sense. We know it’s not enough to “win” if the win takes too long and costs too much.

“Working smart” means finding the most efficient path to a positive outcome. Sometimes that means fostering a collaborative rapport to engage the insurance company in an informal dialogue; sometimes that means going the distance in litigation.

Each case requires its own analysis, but our dedicated and proactive approach is always the same. We work collaboratively with other lawyers who also represent our clients’ interests, and we recognize that resolution of any insurance dispute must dovetail with our clients’ business and financial objectives.

About Us

W. Blake Mikkelsen

W. Blake Mikkelsen

Member

blake@millerinsurancelaw.com

Blake has dedicated most of his legal career to insurance recovery, helping countless businesses and individuals obtain benefits owed by insurance companies.

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Emily Miller

Emily Miller

Member

emily@millerinsurancelaw.com

Emily has spent her entire career helping clients recover insurance from insurance companies. She has successfully negotiated and argued many insurance coverage matters in and out of state and federal courts in Oregon, where she is admitted.

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Margie Schroeder

Margie Schroeder

Member

margie@millerinsurancelaw.com

Margie is a respected litigator and trial lawyer with an affinity for coverage. She is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington.

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Speaking Engagements

The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law, Co-Chaired by Emily Miller and Presentation by Margie Schroeder (October 22 & 23, 2024)

Oregon State Bar Construction Law Section, Annual CLE, “Intersection of Liability Insurance Coverage and Construction Projects” (October 18, 2024)

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, 2024 Annual Convention, “Getting Moody: The When, Where, and How of Bad Faith in Oregon” (August 10, 2024)

The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law, Co-Chaired by Emily Miller (November 2 & 3, 2023)

Multnomah Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, “Insurance 101” (October 26, 2023)

The Seminar Group, 28th Annual Oregon Construction Law, “Insurance For Sale!” (September 28, 2023)

The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law, Co-Chaired by Emily Miller (October 25 & 26, 2022)

The Seminar Group, 27th Annual Oregon Construction Law, “Insurance Considerations” (September 22, 2022)

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, 2022 Convention, “Top 5 Things Every Plaintiff’s Lawyer Should Know About Coverage” (August 11, 2022)

The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law, Co-Chaired by Emily Miller (October 28 & 29, 2021)

Oregon State Bar Construction Law Section, Annual CLE (October 8, 2021)

The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law, Co-Chaired by Emily Miller and Presentation by Margie Schroeder, via Live Webcast (October 29 & 30, 2020)

The Seminar Group, Insurance Considerations Relative to COVID-19, Co-Chaired by Emily Miller, Via Live Webcast (September 25, 2020)

The Seminar Group, 25th Annual Oregon Construction Law, “More Misperceptions and Myths About Construction Insurance” (September 11, 2020)

Clark County Bar Association and Washington State Bar Construction Law Section, Practicing on the Border: Construction Law in Washington and Oregon, “Insurance and Construction in Oregon: Common Coverages and Practice Tips” (August 28, 2020)

The Seminar Group, Northwest Insurance Law, “Oregon Consent Settlements,” Seattle, Washington (November 14, 2019)

Oregon State Bar Construction Law Section, Annual CLE (October 4, 2019)

The Seminar Group, 24th Annual Oregon Construction Law, “Misperceptions and Myths About Construction Insurance” (September 13, 2019)

Multnomah Bar Association, CLE, “Federal Civil Procedure: Crushing Pre-Trial Motions” with the Honorable Stacie Beckerman (February 2019)

Multnomah Bar Association, Young Lawyers CLE Series, “Complaints and Answers” (January 2019)

The Seminar Group, Insurance Law: A Comprehensive Review, “Caselaw and Regulatory Update” (October 25, 2018)

The Seminar Group, 23rd Annual Oregon Construction Law, “Misperceptions and Myths About Construction Insurance” (September 28, 2018)

Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, 2018 Annual Convention, “What Can I Say? Ethical Reporting on the Tripartite Relationship” (June 2018)

Multnomah Bar Association, Young Lawyers CLE Series, “Complaints and Answers” (January 2018)

Oregon State Bar Construction Law Section, Advanced Construction Law, “Insurance Coverage” (October 2017)

The Seminar Group, Insurance in the Construction Industry, “Stipulated Settlements and Consent Judgments” (October 2017)

The Seminar Group, Construction Contracts, Risk & Insurance, “Construction Defect Litigation” (June 2017)

University of Oregon, Women in Construction, “Building Your Network” (April 2017)

Firm Values

INTEGRITY

firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values

the quality or state of being complete or undivided

Integrity is personal. How we practice law reflects who we are as individuals. We put our integrity into practice through consummate professionalism, showing respect for ourselves through respect for others, and holding sacred our fiduciary and ethical duties as lawyers.

EMPOWERMENT

the act or action of empowering someone or something

We believe in the empowerment of every person, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship, or disability. We put this into daily practice, empowering our clients through advocacy against large, institutional insurance companies with vast resources.

COMMUNITY

a unified body of individuals

Community is foundational. We need it to thrive. We value the community we create at Miller Insurance Law LLC, not only with each other but with others. Our community is one in which different perspectives are welcomed, heard and respected. Our different perspectives make us stronger and push us to innovate and problem-solve in creative ways.

INNOVATION

the introduction of something new; a new idea, method, or device

We at Miller Insurance Law LLC are not afraid to evolve our way of thinking and working, to depart from the past when it makes us better. We “work smart.” We embrace new ideas, methods, systems and applications that help us do what we do well.