2008 Archived News

Larson named to Partners Council of NCLC

November 24, 2008 – Steve Larson was named to the Partners Council of the National Consumer Law Center.  The National Consumer Law Center is the nation’s consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers use powerful and complex consumer laws on behalf of  American consumers.

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STOLL BERNE – Highly Recommended Firm

November 5, 2008 – Stoll Berne is proud to announce that the firm has been listed as a Highly Recommended local litigation firm in Oregon in the recently released 2009 Benchmark Litigation publication.

In addition, shareholders Gary BerneRob ShlachterScott Shorr and Robert Stoll are all listed as local litigation stars.  Associates Emily Courtnage and Joshua Ross are listed as future stars.

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Larson elected to OSB Board of Governors

November 4, 2008 – Steve Larson was elected to the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors.

The Oregon State Bar (“OSB”) was established in 1935 by the Oregon Legislative Assembly to license and discipline lawyers, regulate the practice of law, and provide a variety of services to bar members and the public.  Membership is mandatory for lawyers who wish to practice law in Oregon.  The OSB has more than 16,000 members.

The sixteen-member Board of Governors governs the Bar, determines the general practices of the Bar, and approves its budget each year.

Steve Larson’s four-year term will commence January 1, 2009.

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Shlachter spoke at a CLE on December 2nd, 2008

Rob Shlachter co-presented with Roy Pulvers in a Multnomah Bar Association CLE on December 2, 2008 called “Dealing with Difficult Clients and Opposing Counsel.”

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STOLL BERNE Carbon Offset Project Donation

October 23, 2008 – On Wednesday, October 22nd, Stoll Berne hosted its Annual Fall party.  This invitation encouraged invitees to come on foot, by bike or by using public transportation, and, if they did, the firm would donate $10.00 per person to a local carbon offset project.

We had a total of 85 people come to the party by way of alternative transportation, and one guest made a $5 donation to the cause, so Stoll Berne is making a donation of $855 to The Climate Trust, a Portland based non-profit organization dedicated to providing solutions to stabilize our rapidly changing climate.  The money will go towards a Portland Traffic Signals Optimization project.

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Larson spoke at NCLC Class Action Symposium

October 20, 2008 – Steve Larson presented at the Consumer Class Action Symposium at the National Consumer Law Center’s (NCLC) Annual Consumer Rights Litigation Conference on October 27, 2008.  The NCLC Consumer Rights Litigation Conference is the premier gathering of attorneys and advocates working in the area of consumer law.  The Consumer Class Action Symposium is a full-day program on the last day of the conference covering many cutting-edge consumer class action topics.

Steve Larson was part of a panel discussing ethical issues in class actions, aggregate settlements and other knotty issues.

The NCLC Consumer Rights Litigation Conference was held in Portland, Oregon from October 24 to 27, 2008.

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STOLL BERNE Presented with Corporate Philanthropy Award

September 26, 2008 – Stoll Berne was once again recognized in 2008 by the Portland Business Journal as one of Portland’s leading philanthropic companies, this time in the medium-size category.  The firm was recognized as one of the top five companies for its corporate giving and employee involvement in the community.

In 2007, Stoll Berne was recognized in the small-size firm category.  The firm is proud to support the non-profit organizations, public schools, and volunteer organizations that make the City of Portland work for all of its citizens.

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STOLL BERNE recognized by Best Lawyers

September 15, 2008 – Six of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized for being among the best lawyers in America by the Best Lawyers’ publication, which will be distributed in 2009.

Robert Stoll and Gary Berne were recognized as Best Lawyers for their work in mass tort and commercial litigation; Rob Shlachter was recognized for his work in both intellectual property litigation and commercial litigation; Tim DeJong was recognized for his work in intellectual property litigation; Keith Ketterling was recognized for his work in commercial litigation; and David Lokting was recognized for real estate and tax law.

In addition, the firm has been ranked by Best Lawyers as #1 in both Oregon and Portland in the practice area of Mass Tort Litigation.

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STOLL BERNE hosts Consumer Rights Litigation Conference

September 6, 2008 – Stoll Berne will be hosting the opening reception for the 17th Annual Consumer Rights Litigation Conference, which is being held in Portland, Oregon this year, from October 24th to October 27th.  It is the largest annual consumer law conference in the country.  The conference is sponsored by The National Consumer Law Center and the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

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STOLL BERNE participates in Portland Bike Challenge

September 1, 2008 – Stoll Berne is proud to have entered the 2008 BTA Bike Challenge.  Seven attorneys, four paralegals, one secretary and two administrative staff from our office are all participating in the bike challenge, leading the way to healthier lifestyle commuting and reducing carbon emissions.

Way to go Team Stoll Berne!

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Shlachter and DeJong – Top Intellectual Property Lawyers

July 23, 2008 – Rob Shlachter and Tim DeJong were designated as top attorneys in Intellectual Property Litigation in the August 2008 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel edition.

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Exxon Valdez Case Decided by US Supreme Court

June 25, 2008 – Today, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Exxon’s appeal of the punitive damage award arising out of the March 24, 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster.  More than 19 years after Exxon’s disastrous spill, we are disappointed in that court’s decision, which results in a 90% reduction of the $5 billion award issued by the jury that heard the extensive evidence of Exxon’s egregious misconduct during a four-month long trial fourteen years ago. Thousands of Alaskans were devastated by a corporation which was not concerned about putting a known alcoholic at the wheel of a 950-foot long single-hulled tanker, in dangerous waters in a pristine and highly environmentally-sensitive area, loaded with 53,000 gallons of crude oil.

Robert Stoll and others in the firm have been litigating the Exxon Valdez case from the outset of this case. Among other duties, Robert Stoll served on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, which steered the litigation for all plaintiffs’ counsel on behalf of the large group of diverse plaintiffs injured by the oil spill.

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Judge Brown orders Farmers Insurance Company to Trial

June 20, 2008 – Federal District Court Judge Brown issued a 65-page opinion today granting in part and denying in part the cross-motions for summary judgment in a class action filed by insureds who were charged more for insurance based on their credit scores, but did not receive the notice required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Judge Brown indicated that the only two issues remaining – willfulness and the amount of statutory damages (between $100 and $1000 per class member) – will be for the jury to decide.  To read the full opinion, click here (size of file: 2005 KB).   Steve Larson and Mark Friel represent the policyholders in the class action against Farmers.

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STOLL BERNE Recognized by Chambers Publication

June 13, 2008 – Stoll Berne is proud to announce that Chambers and Partners, an independent researcher of the legal profession, has ranked the firm as one of Oregon’s top firms.  In addition, individual recognition has been given to Gary BerneRob ShlachterRobert Stoll(Commercial Litigation) and David Lokting (Real Estate).

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Class Action against TRM Corporation

June 4, 2008 – Stoll Berne announces that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon on behalf of purchasers of TRM Corporation common stock during the period between March 16, 2006 and May 22, 2007.  Click here to read Plaintiff’s Complaint. Click here to read press release.If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions, please contact Gary Berne at gberne@stollberne.com.

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Portland Monthly Announces Top Lawyers

June 2, 2008 – Portland Monthly announces Portland’s top lawyers including six from Stoll Berne: Robert StollGary Berne(Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation) and Rob Shlachter (Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property Law), Keith Ketterling(Commercial Litigation), Timothy DeJong (Intellectual Property Law), and David Lokting (Real Estate Law and Taxation Law).

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Josh Ross Recognized for Pro Bono Work

May 21, 2008 – Stoll Berne attorney Josh Ross has been recognized by the Multnomah Bar Association (“MBA”) for his pro bono work and was the recipient of the 2008 Michael E. Haglund Pro Bono Award at the MBA’s 102nd Annual Meeting on May 21, 2008. Josh volunteers for the Legal Aid Domestic Violence Project representing victims of domestic violence in contested restraining order hearings. You can read an article in Multnomah Lawyer about this award by clicking here. (Reprinted with permission by the Multnomah Bar Association.)

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Rob Shlachter Speaks at OLI / Federal Bar

May, 30, 2009 – Rob Shlachter spoke on May 30, 2008 at an OLI / Federal Bar Association CLE called: “Hot Topics in Federal Practice and Procedure”. The CLE was held at the US Federal Courthouse in Portland from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2008. The topic for Rob’s panel was “Effective Written and Oral Advocacy”.

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Steve Larson named as top Business Litigator

March 24, 2009 – Steve Larson was designated as one of the top attorneys in Business Litigation in the 2008 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel edition.

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Lincoln High School – 2nd in State Mock Trial Competition

March 17, 2008 – Stoll Berne attorneys Rob Shlachter and Josh Ross, along with coaches Mara Shlachter and Gardner Ashmanskas, led Lincoln High School’s mock trial team through the regionals and into the State Rounds, where Lincoln garnered the second place trophy. This is Rob’s 12th year of coaching mock trial and Josh’s second year.

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Third Stoll Case (Exxon Valdez) Goes to US Supreme Court

January 28, 2008 – For the third time in two years, a case in which Stoll Berne is involved will be argued before the United States Supreme Court.  This is exceptional for any firm. Last term, lawyers in the firm briefed and argued the cases, GEICO v. Edo and Safeco v. Burr, relating to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This term, the United States Supreme Court granted review of Exxon’s appeal of the punitive damage award arising out of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster.

Robert Stoll and others in the firm have been litigating the Exxon Valdez case for over 15 years. Robert Stoll served on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, which has steered the litigation for the large group of diverse plaintiffs injured by the oil spill. In addition, our firm served as lead counsel in the state case and has assisted in the briefing of the federal case that is now headed to the Supreme Court.

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