MWL Partner Eric Goelz Retires

MWL partner Eric J. Goelz has retired from MWL after thirty three years of practice. Eric graduated cum laude from Marquette Law School in 1989 and practiced in insurance defense litigation and subrogation in both private practice and as in house counsel. His marriage of thirty-six years has blessed him and his wife Colleen with…

Washington

Washington Court Allows Recovery for Residual Diminished Value Following Vehicle Repairs

Grothe v. Kushnivich, 521 P.3d 228 (Wash. App. 2022) One by one, states have begun to recognize a vehicle owner’s third-party claim for residual diminished value damage, or “stigma damage”, which is the loss of value of an automobile that remains after it is completely and professionally repaired. It is the loss of value that…

Stephen A Smith

MWL Welcomes Steve Smith As New Partner

Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. is pleased to announce that Stephen A. Smith has become a partner with the firm. Steve is in his 13th year of practice and joined MWL in 2015. His practice focuses on insurance litigation and subrogation, including automobile, property, and workers’ compensation, and product liability. Prior to MWL, Steve worked with…

Gig Economy

Subrogation and the Gig Industry: Workers’ Compensation Subrogation, PEO, and Employee Leasing Companies

A huge segment of America’s service economy involves flexible, temporary, part-time, or freelance jobs—frequently involving professional employer organizations (PEO’s) or employee leasing companies. The “gig economy” is the labor market that relies on temporary and part-time positions filled by independent contractors, leased employees, and freelancers, rather than full-time permanent employees. Threading the needle of workers’…