Claire E. Brown

Alex Wheatley is an attorney in the firm's Portland office. Alex provides local and national employers with advice on compliance with employment laws and representation against administrative claims and lawsuits in Oregon and Washington. Alex is passionate about working with employers to accomplish their goals within the confines of the law. He has substantial experience working with employers of all sizes in creating and implementing policies and practices, providing counsel with respect to ...

Collin McKean is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Collin, who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Collin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clarence Belnavis is a partner in the Portland and Seattle offices. He is a trial attorney with a primary emphasis in employment litigation, including disability, racial and gender discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and wrongful discharge. He also represents employers in wage and hour claims, employment class actions, and traditional labor matters. Clarence also has significant experience counseling clients with respect to labor and employment matters, including disability and re...

Brad is a litigator and effective risk assessor whose practice focuses on general litigation, business litigation, products liability, premises liability, and insurance defense. For 25+ years, he has assessed and managed clients' risks and litigated cases involving such diverse matters as class actions, contracts, business disputes, environmental matters, wage and hour, insurance coverage, products liability, employment termination, personal injury, real estate, and loan agreements. A recogni...

Román Hernández is a partner in the Portland office of K&L Gates and is a member of the labor, employment and workplace safety practice group. He has particular experience in the defense of employers against claims filed by former, current, and prospective employees for allegations of discrimination, harassment, constructive discharge, wrongful discharge, and for alleged wage and hour violations in both state and federal courts, including class action litigation. He provides...

Christopher J. Kayser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Environmental and Litigation - Securities. Christopher J., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura Maffei brings her experience as a geologist to her practice in environmental and natural resources law. She has extensive experience in Clean Water Act regulation in both Oregon and Washington where she assists clients with negotiating permit conditions and complying with permits. Ms. Maffei has litigated a number of Clean Water Act cases in both state and federal court, including defending against citizen suits and challenges to state-wide Clean Water Act regulations. Ms. Maffei provid...

John A. Berg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. John A., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Marc A. Johnston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Marc A., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marc A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Matheson, a partner in the firm’s Business practice, brings value to clients by providing strategic and practical advice. He has more than 20 years of experience in counseling on corporate governance matters, raising capital through public and private equity and debt offerings, and acquiring and disposing of businesses and assets. David advises domestic and foreign public companies — including controlled companies and master limited partnerships — on their SEC and secu...