Allstate Client Legal Services

This office is not a partnership or a corporation.
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We're here to help

The attorneys in this office limit their practice to defending lawsuits against people like you who are insured by Allstate or one of their subsidiaries. They represent you and will exercise independent professional judgment in your defense.

Understand the process

Take a few minutes to look over this page and get to know the next steps. The more you know about the litigation process, the better.

Meet your team

Take some time to meet your legal team. While your case is pending, you will likely talk to several members of the firm, including your attorney, paralegals, and administrative assistants.

Got questions?

If this is the first time you have been involved in a lawsuit, you likely have questions. We've put together some frequently asked questions to assist you.

The litigation process

Getting sued can be an unsettling experience. But we're here to provide legal representation and help ensure your rights are protected under the law.
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  1. What is litigation?

    Contesting a legal action in court.

  2. First steps

    How to begin the initial steps of your defense. Your legal team will ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. Someone from our office will speak with you to discuss the details of your case.

  3. Discovery

    What we need to help prepare your case. We will collect information relevant to your case during the "discovery" phase. You may be asked to give a deposition. But your lawyer will be with you.

  4. Resolution

    The different ways your case can be finalized. If appropriate, we'll meet with the plaintiff's lawyer to discuss the possibility of settlement. Each case is different. Most do not go to trial and are settled or dismissed.

Glossary

  • Discovery
    When attorneys learn about their client's case and the other side's case by examining all of the relevant documents, photos, emails, etc.
  • Deposition
    A meeting with your attorney in front of a court reporter where you will give your testimony under oath administered by a court reporter.
  • Mediation
    A meeting before an independent third party who attempts to work out a settlement between the parties. If the case does not settle, it continues through the court system.

Staff counsel attorneys

Here's the team of attorneys available to defend you.

Staff counsel headshot 

Vivienne Alpaugh

Lead Counsel

University of Washington, Seattle, B.A.
University of Southern California, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 206-689-4265

Staff counsel headshot 

Mai-Anh T. Nako

Lead Counsel

UCLA, B.A.
Loyola Law School, J.D.

Practice Location: Portland, OR
Email me
Phone: 503-553-0363
Mobile: 503-926-3709

Staff counsel headshot 

L. Benjamin Allen

Attorney at Law

University of Puget Sound, B.A.
Rutgers University School of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Portland, OR
Email me
Phone: 503-553-0362
Mobile: 503-329-8215

Staff counsel headshot 

Alexandra Chen

Attorney at Law

Temple University, Japan, B.A.
Seattle University School of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 206-661-6910

Staff counsel headshot 

Catherine Christensen

Attorney at Law

University of Washington, B.A.
Willamette University College of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 206-712-6110

Staff counsel headshot 

Heidi A. Hankins

Attorney at Law

University of Washington, B.A.
University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 206-689-4262

Staff counsel headshot 

Stephen Lizaola

Attorney at Law

San Diego State University, B.S.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 253-296-6339

Staff counsel headshot 

Tiana Morris

Attorney at Law

Washington State University, B.A.
Seattle University School of Law, J.D.
Marylhurst University, M.B.A.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 206-925-9233

Staff counsel headshot 

Nicholas Seymour

Attorney at Law

University of Oregon, B.A.
University of Oregon School of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Portland, OR
Email me
Phone: 503-553-0374

Staff counsel headshot 

Matthew Shtayyeh

Attorney at Law

California State University, Long Beach, B.A.
Golden Gate University, School of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 206-689-4275
Mobile: 206-619-9784

Staff counsel headshot 

Chelsey J. Thorne

Attorney at Law

The Evergreen State College, B.A.
Gonzaga School of Law, J.D.

Practice Location: Seattle, WA
Email me
Phone: 253-487-9162

Staff counsel headshot 

Wayne E. Watson

Attorney at Law

Brigham Young University, B.S.
University of Puget Sound/Seattle University, J.D.

Practice Location: Alaska, Oregon & Washington
Email me
Phone: 907-351-0294

Support staff

Administrative assistants and paralegals work closely with staff attorneys. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.

Email:
PortlandLegal@allstate.com for Oregon Cases ALLSCOSeattle@allstate.com for Washington Cases

Fax: 877-715-9317

Frequently asked questions

Do you have some general questions? Our FAQs might help. But if you don't find your answers below, feel free to contact our office. Your attorney and the attorney's support staff will be happy to assist you.

Contact

Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.

Allstate Client Legal Services
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Suite 860
Chicago, IL 60654

Email:
PortlandLegal@allstate.com for Oregon cases ALLSCOSeattle@allstate.com for Washington cases

Fax: 877-715-9317

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