John C. Urness

Marisa Meltebeke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Tax Law. Marisa, who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marisa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...

Elizabeth C. Knight is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Elizabeth C., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David J. Elkanich is the Managing Shareholder of Buchalter’s Portland office. He is also a member of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group, and Chair of the Firm’s Professional Responsibility Group. Mr. Elkanich focuses his practice primarily on legal ethics, risk management, and discipline defense. He advises lawyers, law firms, in-house legal departments, as well as students and other professionals, on a variety of ethics issues, including conflicts of interest, confidentia...

Leah C. Lively exclusively defends employers from claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour violations. Leah represents and advises employers of every size, including Fortune 100 companies, non-profit organizations, and locally owned businesses. Leah appreciates that a client’s needs must be assessed and responded to on an individual basis to ensure efficient and effective representation. Leah is an experienced trial attorney having tried m...

John H. Chambers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Real Estate. John H., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Ames Benedict is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Sarah Ames, who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah Ames is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael J. (Sam) Sandmire Partner Sam Sandmire's practice is focused on complex business, product liability, personal injury, and employment litigation and counseling. Sam defends and prosecutes claims in a wide range of business disputes and defends insured and self-insured manufacturers in product liability, class action, consumer fraud, construction and mass tort litigation. He has litigated toxic exposure, catastrophic injury, and multi-state consumer fraud claims on behalf of manufacture...

Lawrence B. Burke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Lawrence B., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ron Hoevet is a shareholder and founding member of the firm of Hoevet Olson, PC. Ron has practiced in all areas of criminal defense and has litigated hundreds of criminal and civil cases in both state and federal court. He has also defended criminal cases in federal courts Washington, California, Idaho, Montana and Florida. Ron has an AV rating with Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest rating for both legal ability and professional standing in the legal community. He has been listed in Be...