In The News
Legal counsel that makes news
We enhance and strengthen our service and value to our clients with news about the firm – who has joined the firm, who has published an article or is scheduled to speak at a meeting or forum, who has received a professional award or recognition, what seminars or other educational opportunities regarding current legal topics are we offering, and what newsworthy and precedent-setting issues has the firm handled recently. The following is a sample of recent coverage, or you can view archived stories covering a broad range of topics.
HLGR News Archives
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- 2009 News Archives
- 2008 News Archives
- 2007 News Archives
Lee Lashway Joins HLGR’s Business Practice
May 1, 2013
Harrang Long Gary Rudnick P.C. is excited to announce that J. Lee Lashway joined the firm as an “of counsel” attorney in our Eugene office on May 1, 2013. Lee will be an integral part of the firm’s Business Law practice in Eugene.
Lee’s practice focuses on business formation, transactions, securities law compliance (capital formation), and representation of issuers in sales of warrants, convertible notes, and equity interests. Since 2000, Lee has had principal responsibility for securities compliance in over $15 million in registered and exempt offerings. Among others, representative clients have included medical and dental practice management companies, consumer and commercial product designers and manufacturers, ambulatory surgery centers, senior living facilities, and internet ecommerce companies. He also has significant experience with clients in the fly fishing industry.
Shareholders are excited about the recent addition. Said firm president, Jens Schmidt, “Lee wanted to expand his practice, and we are thrilled he decided to do that with us. We are growing our business practice in Eugene, and Lee joining us creates new synergies and momentum around our expansion.”
HLGR Wins Argument in Oregon Supreme Court Re: Public Employer Benefits
April 17, 2013
HLGR lawyers Susan Marmaduke, Bob Steringer, and John Rake won a victory for Clackamas County in the Oregon Supreme Court on April 11, 2013. In 1985, the county had created a fund to provide certain retirement health insurance benefits. The county provided that it would pay a certain amount of money into the fund each year and it expressly made its obligation to provide those benefits contingent on the availability of sufficient funding in the fund. When insurance costs skyrocketed, the specified funding level was no longer sufficient to pay for the benefits. In James v. Clackamas County, the court upheld the county’s right to stop providing the benefits when that occurred. This is an important decision for public employers trying to create prudent and sustainable benefits programs for their employees. For additional commentary on this decision, you may read a related blog on the topic.
Oregonians Pay Price for Deeply Flawed PERS
April 17, 2013
The biggest flaw in the Public Employees Retirement System is not that its benefits are too rich. It is that its benefits are arbitrary, inequitable and irrational. Consider two real-life examples: Robert worked…[click on the link below to continue reading]
Oregonians Pay Price for Deeply Flawed PERS, opinion piece by William Gary published in Register-Guard on April 4, 2013.
Marmaduke Elected to Board of Directors for Campaign for Equal Justice
April 1, 2013
HLGR’s Susan Marmaduke was recently elected to a board position for Campaign for Equal Justice. The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice (CEJ) raises funds for legal aid services for the poor, making a difference to people’s lives in areas of critical need. For example, studies have shown that the greatest single factor in reducing domestic violence in a community is the presence of a legal aid office. Susan Marmaduke, HLGR shareholder and long-time CEJ supporter, said, “It is a privilege to be able to support those who regularly provide legal services to the poor and who tirelessly advocate for access to justice for all Oregonians.”
KXL Radio "Business Briefing" Interviews HLGR’s Ted Simpson
March 8, 2013
HLGR's estate and tax planning attorney, Ted Simpson, appeared on KXL News Radio (FM 101) on March 10, 2013 during Brian Bushlach's "Business Briefing" show. The show airs Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m. Ted discussed “portability.” Portability allows estates of decedents to elect to transfer any of the decedent’s federal unused exclusion amount to his or her surviving spouse. A podcast of the interview is also available on the KXL website.
Shari Lane Joins HLGR’s L&E Practice
March 4, 2013
We are excited to announce that Shari Lane has joined our Labor & Employment practice. Shari’s practice focuses on advising employers in personnel issues and labor negotiations and on representing employers facing administrative agency claims and audits. Shari’s advice and representation of employers is practical and down-to-earth, guided by her experiences as a business owner, employer, and manager. Prior to becoming Of Counsel at HLGR, Shari was the owner of Northwest Employment Law LLC in Portland and prior to that, an attorney with Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP, and Operations Manager for the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries.
HLGR Helps MBA Raise Money for Multnomah Court Care Program
February 27, 2013
HLGR, along with several other Portland-area law firms, helped the Multnomah Bar Association (MBA) raise funds for Court Care of Multnomah County. The annual WinterSmash bowling/fundraising event was held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 in Portland. As the "King Pin" sponsor, HLGR was proud to host our attorneys, staff, and family members as they enjoyed an evening of bowling, food, and fun while giving back to the community. Court Care services eliminate barriers to a parent/caregiver's ability to fully participate in legal proceedings created by lack of childcare while protecting children from inappropriate exposure to potentially traumatic adult situations that can be part of the legal process.
HLGR Ending Exclusive Relationship with Eugene City Government
Business in Oregon is growing. And, so are we.
February 25, 2013
HLGR started out as a small Eugene law firm in 1957. By the 1970s, HLGR was acting as city attorney for Eugene and later as exclusive outside counsel for Eugene city officials. Over the years, we have grown into a larger regional firm, with offices in Portland, Eugene, and Salem. We now assist a wide variety of businesses and organizations with litigation, advice, transactional legal services, and government relations.
On June 30, 2013, HLGR will be ending its exclusive and long-standing client relationship with Eugene city government so we may continue our trajectory as regional leaders in business and corporate law. We want to thank the City of Eugene–and all our friends there–for entrusting us with their legal matters for so many decades.
HLGR Helps CEJ Reduce Domestic Violence
February 21, 2013
Studies have shown that the greatest single factor in reducing domestic violence in a community is the presence of a legal aid office. The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice (CEJ) raises funds for legal aid services and volunteer lawyers to the poor. The CEJ recently recognized HLGR, along with several other law firms, as a “Defender of Justice” for contributing between $500-$999 per lawyer in 2012. Susan Marmaduke, HLGR shareholder and long-time CEJ supporter, said, “We have an individual and firm-wide commitment to the CEJ. It is a privilege to be able to support those who regularly provide legal services to the poor and who tirelessly advocate for access to justice for all Oregonians.”
HLGR Helps Fight Hunger in Oregon
February 5, 2013
HLGR attorneys and staff contribute each year to the Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger fund drive. For 2012, our donations earned the firm recognition in the “Thousand Pound Club,” meaning our contributions allowed the Oregon Food Bank Network to distribute over one ton of food, equating to at least 750 meals for hungry families. During these tough economic times, we are happy to play a part in bringing relief to others in need. Thank you to the Oregon Food Bank and the Board of Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger for all you do to help others.
HLGR’s Joanne Austin Receives Big Brothers Big Sisters Recognition
January 17, 2013
Chabre Vickers, Director of Community Relations & Diversity Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters/Columbia Northwest surprised HLGR’s Assistant Director of Administration on January 17, 2013, personally delivering a framed certificate of appreciation--along with balloons and treats--for being an outstanding mentor (pictured left).
Approximately 2,500 adults volunteer to serve as Big Brothers or Big Sisters in the Columbia Northwest branch of the BB/BS program. Studies show that, by participating in the program, Little Brothers and Sisters are:
- more confident in their schoolwork performance
- able to get along better with their families
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
In the words of the program's community outreach director, the program chose "a tiny fraction" of those people for special recognition as outstanding mentors today. Joanne was one of those honored few. Congratulations Joanne! We are all moved by your volunteerism and dedication to others.
HLGR’s Bill Gary Represents Nike Before Oregon Legislature
January 15, 2013
HLGR’s Bill Gary represented Nike before the Oregon legislature in December 2012. The resulting agreement between the governor and Nike will benefit both the state of Oregon and Nike. See articles in the Wall Street Journal and Oregonian for more detail.
- Nike Locks in State-Tax Guarantee with Oregon
Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2012 - Kitzhaber Signs 30-year Tax Deal with Nike
Oregonian, December 19, 2012 - Nike Eyed Austin, Vancouver until Oregon Special Session
Oregonian, January 12, 2013
Witherspoon Named HLGR Shareholder
January 14, 2013
Harrang Long Gary Rudnick P.C. (HLGR), a regional law firm with offices in Portland, Eugene, and Salem, is pleased to announce that John T. Witherspoon has been named shareholder.
“As an established law firm with a long history and reputation to protect, our shareholder admission process is rigorous and thorough,” said firm president Jens Schmidt. “We evaluate attorneys on several measures, from ethics and service to clients, to business development and ‘fit’ with other shareholders and existing clientele. We have all consistently found John to be a valuable contributor to our firm’s and clients’ success. We were unanimous in our decision to invite him to become a shareholder.”
Witherspoon was previously an associate with HLGR. Before that, he was an associate with Lukins & Annis, P.S., in Spokane, WA. In his seven years in practice in Oregon and Washington, he has served clients in a variety of industries demonstrating a great depth of business and legal acumen. As a member of HLGR’s closely-held business team, he focuses on the practicalities of adding value to the client’s bottom line.
You may contact John by calling 503.242.0000 or emailing him at john.witherspoon@harrang.com.
HLGR Sponsors PBJ’s Startup CEO Roundtable
January 4, 2013
HLGR was proud to be a sponsor for the Portland Business Journal’s CEO Roundtable event focused on start-ups in December 2012. Randy Duncan, chair of HLGR’s business law practice participated in the event and saw it as a rich opportunity to foster communication within the business community. “There is a great deal to be learned from these entrepreneurs,” said Randy, “about how the region’s leaders can better address the needs of growing and thriving businesses to help build a more vibrant business community in Portland and across the region. I was grateful to be a part of the event and look forward to working together to make Oregon an even more attractive place to develop and grow business.” Randy Duncan is licensed to practice in Oregon, Washington, and California and has received an AV® premier rating by Martindale-Hubbell. You can read more on the outcomes of the event in the January 11, 2013 issue of the Portland Business Journal.
