Family Law

• Premarital Agreement
  As a member of your trusted team, we will work closely with your other professional financial and strategic advisors. We develop long-standing relationships with our clients and create customized, personal plans to help them achieve their unique business, estate, charitable and legacy goals. Our team regularly addresses our clients’ evolving legal needs, from cohabitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, estate planning for a young family, wealth transfer and business succession planning later in life, and family office services to grow and preserve wealth and family values across generations.
• Guardianship
  Our Fiduciary Litigation Team represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries and family members in probate, trust and guardianship disputes. We have extensive litigation and trial experience, as well as a strong commitment to alternative dispute resolution. Our clients are institutions, charitable organizations, families and individuals addressing challenges related to the transfers of wealth from generation to generation and the administration of existing multi-generational trusts. We advise executors and trustees regarding construction and interpretation of wills and trust instruments, and advise and represent individuals in intra-family disputes.

Criminal Law

• Wrongful Death
  Represented Extendicare Homes Inc. in allegations of neglect and wrongful death allegedly due to an infected bed sore and failure to properly monitor. The four-week jury trial resulted in a defense verdict.
• Fraud
  Representing Henrik Nørremark, former Chief Financial Officer of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, in actions pending in the United States, India and Denmark, including allegations of securities fraud.
• Theft
• Murder
  Represented administrator of assisted living facility to obtain anti-harassment protection order against involuntarily discharged resident who threatened to murder administrator. Employer also retained security guards related to this matter.
• Restraining Order
  We represented Government Contracting Services in obtaining a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against two former employees and their new employer for violating non-disclosure agreements, and tortiously interfering with contractual and business relations.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Our securities and corporate governance litigators are among the most respected and experienced practitioners in the profession. We have a culture of hands-on case management, so our partners closely supervise and actively work on our cases. We were recently ranked the second busiest securities practice in the nation, as published in the
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  As a part of our service to clients, we regularly advise foreign and domestic firms about the antitrust restrictions on the pricing and distribution of products, including exports and imports, as well as the competitive implications of joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, our team has developed compliance programs and educational opportunities to help our clients, their officers, and employees stay informed and up-to-date on the competition and trade issues most important to their success.
• Business Disputes
  We represent domestic and foreign companies and individuals in a full range of antitrust, competition, and trade matters, from government investigation through litigation, including criminal and civil actions by the United States government and private class actions, as well as business disputes.
• Business Transactions
  Our team identifies state and local tax saving opportunities for clients in their ongoing businesses. We also assist with entity formation and structuring business transactions such as sales and acquisitions of businesses and real estate. Our capabilities cover the full range of state and local taxes, including income, gross receipts, sales and use, estate, property, employment, and special excise taxes.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Entity Formations and Financing Transactions. The formation of partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies, the foreign qualification of those entities as and where needed, and the drafting and negotiation of various entity governance and investment documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements and board member, shareholder, and committee resolutions, investor rights agreements, stock and note purchase agreements, and stockholder agreements.
• Trade Secrets
  Oftentimes, one of the first projects we assist our startup and emerging company clients on is developing a strategy for securing and protecting their intellectual property rights. This could involve a combination of patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as processes for ensuring trade secret protection. Typically, this includes developing a budget for such work and helping our clients prioritize the work.
• Intellectual Property
  We serve as fierce, knowledgeable advocates for clients in litigation in state and federal courts. Our experience also includes helping clients resolve international intellectual property disputes. We represent clients in matters related to...
• Unfair Competition
  Represented plaintiff/employer in employee raiding, trade secret and unfair competition claims, and obtained successful settlement during jury trial.
• Antitrust

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  Represented NuStar Energy in proceedings before the Oregon Workers Compensation Board, following a multiple count citation by the Oregon Department of Occupational Safety and Health for violation of the Oregon Safe Employment Act at its Portland, Oregon facility.
• Wrongful Termination
  Defended the insured, Sterling Bank, to a favorable jury verdict in which the plaintiff alleged discrimination and wrongful termination based on her perceived sexual orientation.
• Employment Discrimination
  Represented annuities issuer preliminarily enjoining former securities broker/insurance agent (who had no non-competition covenant in agency agreement) from competing unfairly, misleading customers and misappropriating trade secrets; dismissed $5 million sex discrimination counterclaims at hearing.
• Employment Contract
  Drafting and negotiating closing documents, such as deeds, bills of sale, assignment agreements, lease termination agreements, operations transfer agreements, employment agreements, non-competition agreements, escrow holdback agreements, and title company affidavits and indemnities;
• Employment Litigation
  Our Labor, Employment & Benefits Team knows you need practical answers to employment issues and litigation so that you can maintain focus on your core business. We are committed to understanding your business goals and preferences, and team with you to provide cost-effective, strategic and creative advice, and litigation representation.
• Severance Agreement
• Sexual Harassment
  With experienced employment attorneys in our Seattle, Portland and Anchorage offices, we can handle any employment issue you are facing. Relying on our broad and diverse experience, we tailor our advice and representation to your industry, including retail, manufacturing, petroleum, financial services, hospitality, environmental, marine, technology, professional and engineering services, to name a few. We keep current on developing local laws and regulations, and often represent clients affected by proposed amendments to local laws and regulations. We provide updates on current issues through our annual “Best Practices for Best Employers” seminars, periodic “Breakfast with the Employer Adviser” seminars and through our emailed Employer Adviser legal updates. We offer clients our Employer Adviser Pocket Adviser series, with topics such as “Investigating Employee Misconduct,” “Sexual Harassment,” “Substance Abuse in the Workplace” and “Workplace Violence – Managing the Threat.” We also offer a video and online training series on employer rights and responsibilities.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Our Real Estate Team is recommended in Chambers ® USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business with one client enthusing, “I would rate them an A; they are excellent in all areas.” Chambers sources also described our team members as being “very responsive and timely, and keep[ing] clients’ best interests in mind at all times” and as “unique problem solvers who are available around the clock.” In addition, we have been highly ranked in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® annual “Best Law Firms” survey for our work in real estate law.
• Premises Liability
  Defense verdict in a jury trial of a premises liability matter. Client was accused of failing to discover a missing street valve box lid that caused injury to the plaintiffs.
• Construction Litigation
  We represent public and private clients in a broad range of construction litigation, arbitration, mediation, dispute resolution boards, and other types of dispute resolution on both public and private projects. We are skilled at helping you prevent claims or issues before they arise, but should it be required, our team has extensive experience litigating complex cases in court. Our dispute resolution experience has included representing clients in matters related to...
• Real Estate Transactions
  Commercial Lending — Representing major commercial lenders who finance all types of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, development and construction activities. We also have extensive experience counseling clients on financing issues related to senior housing.
• Eminent Domain
  Chambers ® USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business recommends our Construction Team, with sources describing us as an “adept” and “accomplished group,” known for its “contract-drafting, financial and dispute resolution expertise.” We are also highly ranked in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® annual “Best Law Firms” survey in the areas of construction law, and eminent domain and condemnation law. Sources surveyed said Lane Powell is their “go-to” for construction matters and recognized the group for their “extensive knowledge and experience in virtually every area of construction law.” One client noted our “ability to guide clients throughout the course of a construction project in such a way as to avoid the necessity for litigation, but when litigation is necessary, Lane Powell has the knowledge, experience and resources to handle even the largest and most complex cases.  As counsel for a public agency involved in billions of dollars of construction, they are the first firm I turn to for assistance.” Another client enthused: “Lane Powell’s adroit handling of mediations has helped our team avoid litigation.  We would be totally confident if litigation proved to be the only path to resolution.” We have also been recognized on
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
  Land-Use Planning and Development — Representing developers, businesses and lenders in connection with land-use and environmental issues arising from all kinds of development projects, from retail complexes to residential developments and natural resource extraction.
• Property Damage
  Represent professional contractor in claims against business (and related insurance company) related to property damage caused by operator of business’ motorized vessel which was operated at excessive speed in a no-wake zone.
• Condominium Law
  Defended attorney who served as escrow agent in financing of condominium development. Plaintiff, the Masonic Lodge of Washington, sought $250,000 plus attorney fees based on state securities act and other grounds. Prevailed in jury trial, then appealed the lower court's order overruling the jury verdict, prevailed on appeal dismissing all claims.

Immigration Law

• Citizenship and Naturalization
• Employment Immigration
• Investor Visas

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Defended national employer against claim by former employee that employer had unlawfully terminated employee based on employee’s FMLA leave and that employer had caused personal injury to terminated employee’s infant child.
• Disability Discrimination
  Represented employer sued for disability discrimination based on medical marijuana use; successfully obtained order granting judgment on the pleadings, upholding termination.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Our Private Client Services Team counsels clients on the full range of estate and gift planning, estate administration, family business governance and transition planning, family office services and dispute resolution matters. The team has extensive experience working with high net worth individuals and multi-generational families, including founders, owners and leaders of businesses and charitable organizations of all sizes.
• Wills
  Even the best plans can face controversy. We have extensive experience representing clients in estate and trust dispute resolution, including mediation and, if necessary, litigation, addressing matters such as will contests, trust litigation, guardianship conflicts and federal or state tax controversies. We represent fiduciaries, beneficiaries and family members in probate, trust, guardianship and vulnerable adult litigation. Our clients benefit from our deep understanding of their estates, family dynamics and businesses — all of which we bring to the table when helping them resolve a dispute or litigation matter.
• Trusts
  Lane Powell has an active trusts and estates practice. Our attorneys focus on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and charitable-gift planning for high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals and business owners. We work closely with clients to understand their estate planning goals, then meet those goals by working collaboratively with the client’s other advisors to provide innovative, tax-sensitive solutions. Many of our clients own interests in closely held businesses, and we work closely with those business owners to ensure that their estate plans are tailored to address their unique business succession concerns. Our attorneys have extensive experience in all facets of estate and trust administration, including preparation of transfer tax returns and representation of clients before the IRS in gift and estate audits. Several attorneys in the team focus their practice on trust and estate dispute resolution. We regularly represent fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and family members in contested matters before the courts or in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, such as arbitration or mediation. We recognize the important role that philanthropy plays in many clients’ plans, and our attorneys frequently provide advice on the formation and administration of private foundations, split interest charitable gifts and donor advised funds.
• Power of Attorney
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  We have an outstanding track record for successfully representing financial institutions, creditors’ committees, agent banks, borrowers, prospective purchasers and others in state, federal, and bankruptcy litigation. Our experience includes matters related to...
• Foreclosure
  When a company becomes financially distressed, our team of experienced attorneys routinely assists in all phases of out of court restructuring, workouts, and loan enforcement. From negotiating asset sales, refinancings, restructuring loans, forbearances, deeds in lieu, foreclosures, or orderly winddowns and other enforcement remedies, we provide strategic counsel to maximize value for the key stakeholders. Our team works collaboratively to plan for all contingencies while working to achieve a solution that fits the business and situation presented.
• Tax Law
  Our Tax Team advises clients on tax issues arising in connection with the formation and restructuring of business entities; the purchase or sale of assets; mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other reorganizations; public and private financing; tax-credit subsidies; and a wide range of events that give rise to income or costs that must be accounted for. Our goal is to ensure that our clients have considered and utilized appropriate tax-saving strategies in all of their affairs.
• Debt Collection