Kara Backus

Robert R. Calo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Robert R., who practices law in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew Altschul mediates employment and ERISA disputes. In addition to his mediation practice, Andrew handles federal and state court appeals of employment litigation, provides day-to-day employment counseling, litigates ERISA benefit matters, serves as settlement counsel, and provides collective bargaining representation primarily for non-profit organizations. He also consults small law firms on law firm management. Andrew has over 20 years’ experience representing both employers and e...

Michael Zahn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael, 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 Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katherine VanZanten is an estate planning and tax attorney who has significant experience in estate planning, business and tax planning, charitable remainder trusts and establishing charitable organizations. Katherine has an active estate planning practice helping clients and their families complete their estate planning goals. She regularly advises fiduciaries on their duties with respect to trust and probate administration.

Jesse D. Lyon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jesse D., 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 Jesse D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian has a specialized practice representing regional and national financial service providers on regulatory and compliance issues in Oregon and Washington. He represents credit unions, financial service companies, and banks on regulatory and operational issues; regional and national financial service providers and mortgage and finance companies on operational, compliance, and licensing issues; and financial service organizations and providers on formation issues, securities, insurance, and ...

Tara's practice emphasizes bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and commercial litigation. She represents all types of parties in all types of bankruptcy matters including unsecured creditors' committees, business debtors in reorganization proceedings, creditors including banks and other financial service providers, bankruptcy trustees and receivers. She protects clients' interests and represents them on a national level in multiple bankruptcy jurisdictions. Tara is certified by the American Board ...

Kimberley Hanks McGair is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kimberley Hanks, who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberley Hanks is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kirsten Day is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Portland office and a member of the Firm’s Real Estate practice group. Ms. Day brings over 20 years of experience to her national practice in leasing, acquisition/disposition, development and financing of regional shopping centers and other retail properties, Class A office buildings and industrial properties.

Sarah Crooks, a partner in the firm's Commercial Litigation group, focuses her practice on navigating clients through complex business litigation, class action lawsuits and attorney general investigations across a variety of industry sectors, including the telecommunications, food and restaurant, childcare and education and real estate sectors. Sarah also has extensive experience representing clients in the areas of consumer protection, securities litigation, fraudulent transfer litigation an...