Michael Potraffke

Michael is a senior associate in WSHB’s Denver office, handing complex litigation involving personal injury, product liability, premises liability, defamation, construction, and various commercial disputes on behalf of clients and insurers. Michael also has experience with claims and matters involving state governmental immunity acts and governmental tort liability. Michael is also well-versed in intellectual property matters and business transactions. In addition, Michael assists our national insurance coverage practice by advising and representing domestic and international insurers on first-party property (Homeowner’s and Commercial), commercial general liability, construction defect, and professional errors and omission claims, including the interpretation of policy provisions and exclusions and first-party bad faith claims. His experience also includes providing complex insurance coverage opinions regarding construction defect losses as well as commercial trucking catastrophic losses involving multiple insurers and policies.

Michael earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2009 with majors in English and Political Science and a minor in music studies. Michael then earned his J.D. from the Indiana University - Bloomington Maurer School of Law. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, skiing, golf, and Indiana Hoosiers basketball. Michael has also spent time volunteering as a judge for the Indiana University Maurer School of Law Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition and as a guest speaker for the Indiana Kids’ Election program.

Trial & Appellate Results

Becky McCray v. Lockheed Martin Corporation, 2020 WL 495376 (D. Colo. 2020) (slip copy) (successfully obtained dismissal with prejudice, and defeated motion for remand, of civil action involving application of Colorado’s Dram Shop Act)