Biographical Information

After graduating from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1975, I began practicing law as an associate at a large law firm in Portland. I became a partner there in 1980, and practiced law at the same firm continuously until June 1996.

In June of 1996, I opened my own office. Initially the staff consisted of myself and my excellent secretary Charity Ralls. In the Spring of 1998 I hired Tom Holmes as a paralegal. Tom had worked for me for about 15 years at my old firm and is a very valued addition.

My practice began exclusively in litigation, then after a few years I became involved in land use and construction disputes. Those led me into real estate transactions, environmental problems and natural resource issues. Those in turn helped me develop an expertise in dealing with government agencies.

For about the last 10 years I have practiced as a business lawyer rather than exclusively as a litigator, but I continue to be frequently involved in real estate and construction cases along with some other business cases.

I enjoy working with both small and large businesses. My clients range in size from single person consulting firms to large public companies such as Sprint PCS. I am happy to work with start-ups.

Purchase, sale and lease of real estate:

• Office buildings
• Industrial sites
• Undeveloped land
• Telecommunication sites
• Easements

Land use approvals:

• Rock quarries
• Telecommunication towers
• Residential subdivisions and partitions
• Multifamily residential developments
• Conditional use permits for industrial and commercial uses
• Conditional use permits for parking
• Non-conforming uses

Providing clients with advice and assistance in dealing with government agencies:

• Department of Environmental Quality
• Oregon Liquor Control Commission
• Oregon Real Estate Agency
• Land Conservation and Development Commission
• Bureau of Labor and Industries
• Oregon Department of Transportation
• Cities and Counties
• Metro

Creation, purchase, and sale of business entities:

• Corporations
• LLCs
• Partnerships
• Non-profit corporations

Real estate, construction and business litigation:

• Construction claims alleging defective work and materials
• Federal Claims Court
• Arbitration
• Adverse Possession, Trespass, Quiet Title

Obtained Site Plan approval for heavy industrial site in Troutdale.

Represented land owner successfully seeking Metro approval of Urban Reserve designation for a large collection of parcels near Tualatin.

Assisted telecommunications companies in drafting and negotiating numerous leases and easements for Telecommunications Towers and in obtaining land use approvals for towers.

Obtained Goal 5 resource designation from coastal county for 2 rock quarries which previously had no permits.

Assisted company in obtaining expansion of non-conforming office use in coastal county.

Confirmed non-conforming use status for a used car dealership in Tualatin.

Defended Real Estate Brokers in disciplinary action brought by Oregon Real Estate Commissioner.

Defended claims brought by OLCC seeking to suspend or revoke licenses to sell alcohol.

Advised lender regarding potential liability for an environmentally contaminated real estate.

Assisted buyers in protecting their interests when purchasing brownfield sites which have hazardous contamination, but

have been partially cleaned up.

Represented property owner in construction dispute with contractor over quality of work.

Represented equipment supplier in claim against Army Corps of Engineers.

Represented property owners in numerous purchases, sales and leases.

Creation of Non-profit trade organization.

Represented Non-profit corporation in creating and selling a for profit subsidiary.

Creation of LLCs and corporations for small businesses.