Oregon Auto Accident Attorney

About

I have lived in Oregon for all but the first year of my life.

I grew up on a tree farm in rural Clackamas County. I was exposed to courtrooms and trials at a young age, as my father, a forensic psychiatrist, would bring me to court when he testified on a criminal and civil cases. Early on, I was taught that juries preferred simple, honest lawyers and witnesses that did not hide behind medical and legal jargon and did not talk down to juries. I embraced this and it helped form my plain-spoken, straightforward manner in trial and life.

After high school, I attended the University of Notre Dame, where I graduated with a bachelor of arts in 1991. I then attended Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1994.

While a third year law student, I interned at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office. While working as an intern, I tried approximately 20 jury trials. The day after I passed the bar, I was hired by the district attorney’s office. During my career there, I tried criminal cases, ranging from vehicular assaults to home invasion robberies.

Open Portland Personal Injury Law Practice in 2002

In 2002, I decided that he needed a change from criminal prosecution and wanted to be my own boss, so I started my Portland personal injury practice. I worked very hard to get up to speed on both the law and personal injury trial practice. It did not take too long before I was back trying cases and getting excellent results.

One of my first Portland personal injury cases involved a cyclist who injured his wrist in a bike accident. My client was offered a few thousand dollars and told take it or leave it. Around a year later, I tried the case and a Portland jury awarded the man $550,000
(Boyd vs Willamette).

This was the first of a number of cases where I went to trial and got 10, 20, even 90 times what the insurance company offered.

Educate Oregon Personal Injury Lawyers Better Handle Cases and Try Them To a Jury

In addition to working for my clients, I have tried to help other lawyers fight for their clients. I have spoken at many Continuing Legal Education classes, trying to educate other lawyers on how better to handle Oregon personal injury cases and how to better try them to a jury.

For a number of years, I was chairperson of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, organizing and presenting classes to other lawyers. I have stepped down from that role, but I am still dedicated to mentoring other lawyers and making them better trial lawyers.

I am married and live in Northwest Portland. I am an avid bicycle commuter and bluewater fisherman. I sponsor and participate in fundraising tuna fishing tournaments for the Oregon Food Bank.