WILLIAM M. DEMLONG

(602) 331-4600
(602) 331-8600 Fax
EMail

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION:

Mr. Demlong has specialized his practice in the litigation, both trial and appellate, of insurance matters, including Coverage, NASD and ERISA matters, and complex commercial and personal injury litigation.

Mr. Demlong’s practice involves the analysis and litigation of complex insurance claims and coverage in both the first-party and third-party context. He has litigated substantial commercial and personal injury matters in both federal and state courts. Mr. Demlong has tried cases in Arizona, Nevada and Illinois and has also litigated matters in Louisiana, New Mexico and California. His insurance litigation practice has included all types of policies with particular emphasis on life, health, disability (including group policies and ERISA claims), general liability, personal and commercial automobile, and personal and surplus lines.

Mr. Demlong devotes a substantial amount of his practice to defense of insurance bad faith and punitive damage claims against insurers. He has also had extensive experience in Insurance Coverage Litigation.

Mr. Demlong is very active within the United States District Court of the District of Arizona. He is an arbitrator for the District Court, a member of that Court’s Technology Committee and recently completed his term as Co-Chair of the Arizona Lawyer Representatives for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Demlong was also the Chair of the 2006 Magistrate Selection Panel for the Arizona District Court. Mr. Demlong’s litigation practice is predominately in federal court, having litigated matters for insurers in the federal courts located in six different states.

Mr. Demlong has been active in community service over the years and has devoted a substantial amount of time to various boards and community groups. Mr. Demlong’s most unique volunteer service was as a reserve police officer for the City of Tempe where he volunteered hundreds of hours a year as patrol officer. Mr. Demlong has been a community leader in the City of Tempe for years with substantial service to a number of organizations based in that city.

Mr. Demlong has two children who share his sense of adventure. He and his children are accomplished rock and ice climbers. He has taught others the skills necessary to pursue these avocations as well. Mr. Demlong is also an avid hiker, mountaineer, cyclist and triathlete and enjoys a variety of other outdoor activities that the state of Arizona has to offer.

EDUCATION AND SCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES:

University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with Honors, 1988)

Arizona State University (B.S. Accounting, 1982)

Certified Public Accountant, Texas (March 1985 – present).

PUBLICATIONS:

• Mr. Demlong is co-authoriing the chapter on Insurance Bad Faith for the soon to be published Arizona Tort Law Handbook.
• Co-editing revisions to Couch On Insurance 3d (Ch. 7 “Introduction to Group Health Insurance and Government Regulations”, ERISA and Ch. 8 “Group Health Insurance: Rights and Obligations”)

SPEAKER/PRESENTATIONS:

• “A Practical Guide To ERISA For Claims Examiners and Investigators” (June 1997) Sponsored by the Western Claims Conference.
• “ What You Need to Know About Presenting and Defending ERISA Claims for Benefits” (February 1998) Sponsored by the Maricopa County Bar Association.
• “Analyzing and Handling of Insurance Claims Subject to Interpleader Actions” (February 2001) Sponsored by the Eastern Claims Conference.
• “Insurance Bad Faith Claims in Arizona” (May 2001) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.
• “Insurance Bad Faith Claims in Arizona” (June 2002) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.
• “Disability Insurance Claims in Arizona” (April 2003) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.
• “Insurance Bad Faith Claims in Arizona” (June 2003) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.
• “Insurance Bad Faith Claims in Arizona” (June 2004) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.
• “Insurance Bad Faith Claims in Arizona” (February 2005) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.
• "Attorney Professionalism" (June 2005) Sponsored by State Bar of Arizona and a Mandatory Course for all Newly Admitted Arizona Attorneys.
• "Insurance Bad Faith Claims in Arizona" (2006) Sponsored by Lorman Education Services.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• American Bar Association
• Member, TIPS Section
• Past Member, Federal Procedure Committee
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• Past Chair, High School Teaching Program
• Past Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
• Past Member, Barrister’s Ball Committee
• United States District Court for the District of Arizona
• Appointed a Court Arbitrator (2001–Present)
• Member, Technology Committee (2002–Present)
• Lawyer Representative, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (2003-2006)
• Co-Chair, Lawyer Representatives, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (2005-2006)
• Chair, Magistrate Selection Panel (2006)

MEMBERSHIPS:

• American Bar Association
• Arizona Bar Association
• Nevada Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

• Member of Class IX, Tempe Leadership, Tempe, Arizona (1993-1994)
• Board of Directors, Tempe Leadership, Tempe, Arizona (1994-1999)
• President, Tempe Leadership, Tempe, Arizona (1997-1998)
• Reserve Police Officer, City of Tempe Police Department (1994-2001)
• Volunteer of the Quarter, City of Tempe Police Department (1997)
• Board Member, Tempe Communities in Schools, Tempe, Arizona (1999-2001)
• Board Member, The Centers for Habilitation, Tempe, Arizona (1999-2005)
• Treasurer, The Centers for Habilitation, Tempe, Arizona (2002-2003)
• Vice-Chairman, The Centers for Habilitation, Tempe, Arizona (2003)

BAR ADMISSION

• Arizona, 1989
• Nevada, 2001
• United States Supreme Court, 2000
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9^th Circuit, 1989
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7^th Circuit, 2003
• U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1989