Thomas M. "Tom" Christ

Tony Kullen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Tony, 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 Tony 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.

Michael Wiswall is a native Oregonian. He began his legal career at Hart Wagner LLP in 1994, and became a partner of the firm in 1999. For nearly 20 years, Mike’s practice has primarily focused on defending medical malpractice lawsuits throughout the Northwest. Mike also assists hospitals and clinics with pre-litigation evaluations, as well as with their early disclosure and resolution programs. Mike frequently represents physicians, dentists, pharmacists and nurses before state licensi...

Jeff Hunter, a partner, focuses his practice on environmental and natural resources law, real estate and land use and environmental litigation, including white collar criminal matters. Jeff's practice includes environmental permitting and compliance, enforcement defense and civil and criminal litigation under various environmental statutes and regulations including CERCLA, hazardous waste, solid waste, water quality, water resources, air quality, regulated storage tanks, OSHA, and fertilizer ...

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...

Tim Cunningham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Tim, 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 Tim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With more than 30 years of experience working on commercial finance, real estate and creditors’ rights matters, Susan Alterman focuses her practice on commercial banking and complex real estate transactions. She assists a variety of financial institutions and real estate investors in structuring real estate and asset-based credit facilities, including loan documentation, underwriting considerations, and regulatory matters. Susan regularly represents banks and other financial institution...

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...

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.

Julie Smith is an appellate lawyer who also specializes in advising trial attorneys on litigation strategy and in drafting and arguing complex motions. Before joining Cosgrave, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial and Appellate Divisions of the Oregon Department of Justice, where she twice received the department’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Prior to that, she clerked for the Honorable Virginia Linder of the Oregon Court of Appeals. Appellate services include: Re...