Laura Kerr

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...

Joshua E. Husbands is a partner in Holland & Knight’s Portland office and a member of the firm's Private Wealth Services Group. He often serves as outside general counsel for private companies and their owners, representing clients in an array of business, tax, business succession and estate planning matters, including business reorganizations, acquisitions and divestitures. He frequently writes and speaks on business, tax, life insurance and asset protection matters concerning busi...

Edward Piper is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Trade Secrets Law. Edward, who practices law in Oregon City, Oregon, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicole has defended individuals and businesses in a wide variety of complex litigation matters over her 22-year legal career, including trucking and automobile liability, liquor liability, legal malpractice, and hospitality and hotel-related claims. She is a strong advocate for her clients and an experienced and effective trial/arbitration attorney. Nicole is often retained to defend cases which are of a sensitive nature, such as defending businesses in vicarious liability claims involving se...

Julia E. Markley is a litigation partner in the Portland, Oregon office of Perkins Coie LLP. She has 14 years of legal experience in the federal and state courts. Her clients include companies in the construction, communications, technology, energy, mining, manufacturing, food, and retail industries. Julia's diverse litigation practice includes complex business, class action, intellectual property, franchise and employment disputes. She has also handled cases involving political and constitut...

Charley joined the firm in 1985. His practice focuses on representation of closely held businesses in a wide variety of business transactions, including significant work in real estate ownership, development and construction. Specialized areas include business start-up, shareholder and employment agreements and representing clients in the sale or transition of their businesses. In addition to his transaction work, he represents clients in complex business litigation.

PRACTICE EMPHASIS & DESCRIPTION Janet Schroer is a partner at Portland, Oregon-based Hart Wagner LLP. Her practice emphasizes civil litigation, including tort, contract, medical and professional malpractice, business and constitutional law, in both the trial and appellate courts, as well as professional licensing matters. Janet frequently serves the firm’s clients in the Oregon Court of Appeals, Oregon Supreme Court, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also represents her client...

Kevin Mapes is a commercial litigator with more than 25 years of experience in state and federal courts in Oregon, Washington, and California. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of business disputes involving commercial lending, partnership disputes, general contract matters, construction disputes, and a wide variety of commercial real estate disputes. Mr. Mapes is also an experienced environmental litigator, and has represented clients in matters involving the federal ...

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.

Katherine McDowell is an attorney at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC in Portland, Oregon, where her practice centers on Energy Law and Energy Regulatory Law, with a significant focus on litigation involving regulatory enforcement matters. She advises utilities and energy companies on a broad range of regulatory and administrative law issues, including ratemaking, resource development and acquisition, compliance with environmental mandates, industry restructuring, and utility mergers and acquisitio...