Government and Public Law
We know Government. Government knows us.
For nearly four decades we’ve helped hundreds of public entities -- both big and small -- manage their affairs and achieve their policy goals. This includes state, county, and city governments and agencies; special districts; school districts; public associations; and public corporations. We also serve as general counsel to a number of municipalities and special districts, and serve as trusted advisors to the general counsels of many government bodies. Finally, we have long assisted in the drafting of statutes and administrative rules and in advising and representing public and private clients in legislative and rules-making efforts.
Our government and public law attorneys have an in-depth understanding of how governments work and the complex environments in which they function. It’s experience that helps our clients—public and private—find practical, efficient, and effective solutions to the issues that confront them, including:
- Constitutional and other public policy litigation
- Oregon Public Records Law
- Property and development issues, such as takings and condemnations, land use planning, enforcement and statewide goal compliance, transportation rules, and public-private partnerships
- Administrative hearings before planning departments, commissions, councils, and LUBA
- Public contracting issues
- School charters
- Lobbying, legislative affairs, and administrative rule-making
- Ballot measures, initiatives, and ballot title challenges
- Ethics in government
- Risk management and liability defense, including defense of tort, civil rights, and employment claims and lawsuits
- Labor and employment matters for public and private employers
- Regulatory compliance issues, including assessments, compliance audits, and counseling for private companies
