MICHAEL J. ELIA

Michael J. Elia was raised in Walla Walla, Washington. He graduated from Gonzaga University, magna cum laude, in 1984, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and minor degrees in Computer Science and Finance. He received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from the University of Washington School of Law in 1987.

Mike began his law practice in San Diego, California, as an associate of McInnis, Fitzgerald, Rees, Sharkey & McIntyre, where he emphasized in medical malpractice defense, general negligence, and automobile liability. In 1994, Mike relocated to Boise, Idaho and continued to develop his defense practice in the areas of product liability, insurance coverage, commercial litigation, and construction law, first with Stoel Rives LLP, and later Brassey, Wetherell Crawford and McCurdy.

In 2002, Mike went in-house as claims counsel for General Fire and Casualty Company. In 2004, he became a founding member of Lance, Elia & Associates, PLLC. Then, in 2006, Mike joined his current law firm, now known as Moore Elia Kraft & Stacey, LLP, where he practices primarily insurance defense and represents state and local governmental entities in tort and civil rights actions.

Mike is admitted to practice before all state courts in Idaho, Washington and California. He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Districts of Idaho and Southern California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mike holds a certificate from the Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution in Civil Mediation and is a member of the mediation panel for the United States District Court, District of Idaho. He holds an “AV” rating with Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the Idaho Association of Defense Counsel, and the Federal Bar Association.

Mr. Elia volunteers his time as the general counsel for the Fourth Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and represents Guardians ad Litem in child protection proceedings. He enjoys skiing, golfing and any other sport involving a ball with his three sons, Noah, Daniel and Joseph.