Justin S.Landreth

Justin Landreth is a Partner and the Seattle Office Managing Partner at Selman Leichenger Edson Hsu Newman & Moore LLP, where he serves as Pacific Northwest coverage counsel for many of the nation’s largest insurers. His practice centers on insurance coverage counseling and complex coverage litigation, with a particular focus on the distinct legal landscape of Washington State—including identifying and avoiding extra-contractual exposure or covenant judgments and navigating developing efficient proximate cause rules.

Justin’s approach is fundamentally relationship-driven. He takes the time to understand each client’s claims operations, risk tolerances, and business priorities, tailoring his advice accordingly rather than applying a one-size-fits-all analysis. That client-first orientation spans the full arc of a matter—from initial coverage assessment through resolution—and has made him a trusted counselor to insurers navigating complex, high-stakes claims in the Pacific Northwest.  Justin regularly provides training to claims handlers and managers on the challenges of handling claims in Washington in order identify issues before they become problems.

His coverage experience is broad. Justin regularly counsels and litigates on a wide range of claims and insurance coverages, including construction defects, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, environmental claims, product liability, professional liability, advertising injury, agricultural liability, and commercial property. He also advises underwriting issues and assists with reinsurance and captive insurer matters. When litigation is required, he has represented insurers through dispositive motion practice and trial, including a month-long jury trial in complex environmental coverage litigation.

Justin is licensed in Washington and Oregon, enabling him to serve clients across the Pacific Northwest. He is also admitted in Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Ninth Circuits, the U.S. District Courts for the Western District of Washington the Eastern District of Washington and the District of Oregon.   

Outside of client work, Justin is committed to mentorship and the development of junior attorneys. He believes that investing in the next generation of coverage lawyers strengthens not only the team but also the quality of client service.

Justin previously served as Chairman of the Northwest Insurance Coverage Association (NICA), an organization of claims professionals and coverage attorneys that regularly hosts CLE and CE programming on insurance coverage developments. Justin is also a frequent volunteer with local youth organizations.  Earlier in his career, he worked with a nonprofit organization during law school, managing a team that assisted the Iraqi parliament in drafting legislation and implementing the Iraqi Constitution.