Shannon M. Connelly

Jaimie has been a practicing attorney in the Portland metro area since 2012. She joined Black Helterline LLP in 2022 after four years working at a Portland insurance defense firm focusing on construction defect and general liability defense. Prior to that, Jaimie served as the first ever volunteer prosecutor for the Washington County District Attorney’s Office; worked for a Seattle-based firm focusing on lending litigation; and worked with Stuart M. Brown, a highly regarded business and...

Joe Franco is a trial attorney who specializes in complex commercial litigation and has substantial experience in cases involving breach of contract, unlawful trade practices, securities fraud, protection of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, legal malpractice and insurance coverage. Joe strives to favorably resolve cases for his clients in an efficient and economical manner, which will often result in settlement prior to trial. But if a case must go to trial in order to achieve ...

Tom Ped is a Member in the Portland office of Williams Kastner, where he focuses his practice on construction and real estate law. He represents a range of construction industry clients—including general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers—assisting them with contract review, payment disputes, and workmanship-related issues. Tom also advises real estate clients on transactional matters such as purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, and other key legal doc...

Melissa E. Chapman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Melissa E., 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 Melissa E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chip Horner’s law practice focuses on defending medical negligence lawsuits, including high exposure birth trauma claims, ophthalmology, autism, failure to diagnose cancer, wrongful death and surgical matters. He is experienced in all aspects of health law. Chip’s clients range from large integrated health systems to solo practitioners, nurses, midwives, dentists, and many different allied health professionals. Chip also represents clients before licensing boards in Oregon and Was...

Eric Kekel is a partner at Dunn Carney who leads the Insurance Defense Team. His practice focuses on construction law, commercial litigation, catastrophic personal injury defense, insurance defense and insurance coverage. Eric handles an array of litigated matters, including construction claims, business and contract disputes, products liability, and a variety of personal injury defense. Eric has special expertise in defending construction defect and design claims, many involving complex desi...

Professional Experience President, Carolyn W. Miller, P.C., Portland, Oregon 2001 - present Partner, Duffy Kekel, llp, Portland, Oregon 1982 - 2001 Carolyn's practice is solely concentrated in estate planning, probate, trust administration, taxation of estates, trusts and individuals, charitable planning and administration, tax exempt organizations and private foundations. Recognized as a leader in the estate planning community, Carolyn was elected to the American College of Trust and Estate ...

Matt Mues is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Matt, 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 Matt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer B. Sackett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jennifer B., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank X. Curci is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Portland and Scottsdale offices and a member of the Firm’s Corporate Practice Group and Intellectual Property Group. His practice focuses on the representation of high-tech companies (ranging from emerging growth companies to global companies), bioscience industry companies, universities/research institutions, global technology consortia, technology accelerators, and other technology-based companies.