- Premarital AgreementAdvising clients regarding multigenerational trusts established by parents and grandparents, including helping with premarital agreements, estate planning for children, exercising powers of appointment, and assisting the client in the role of trustee with respect to modifying existing trusts to conform to current law and changed family circumstances.
- Fraud
- White Collar Crimes
- Theft
- Embezzlement
- ArsonSecured a decisive victory, after trial, on behalf of the operator of an underground silver mine and a construction contractor jointly accused by MSHA of knowingly violating mining regulations in connection with an arson fire, with findings of no violation as to all charges.
- Corporate LawOur Corporate team consists of over 75 lawyers who focus on all areas of corporate law representing both public and private entities at all stages of formation and growth.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsStoel Rives is proud to offer the services of our cross-disciplinary team of nearly 50 consumer products attorneys to retail and consumer product companies from across the United States and abroad. We represent clients of all sizes, from global retailers like Nike and Lithia Motors, to local companies like Chums and Alima Cosmetics. From apparel to electronics, automobiles to household products, grocery stores to online retailers, we provide counsel to consumer product companies on mergers and acquisitions, financing, regulatory compliance, intellectual property and brand management, product liability, product labeling, safety and compliance, cross-border issues, and litigation and other means of resolving disputes.
- Business Formation
- Business DisputesOur life sciences litigators constantly team up with the IP and corporate attorneys to defend your business against patent challenges, government investigations, contract disputes, product liability claims, antitrust cases, trade secrets litigation and the full range of business torts. We employ preventative strategies to manage risk and offer talented representation in any venue, whether handling settlement negotiations, arbitration, mediation, trial or appeal.
- Business TransactionsOur corporate, litigation and insurance policy advisors are a cross-discipline team that advises on contract negotiations and commercial transactions involving port authorities, bulk handling facilities and related air and sea transportation companies. Our clients include some of the busiest ports in the U.S., including seaport and airport operators in Washington, Oregon and California and related trade associations. While our experience is with clients on the Pacific Coast, we’re recognized nationally for our capabilities and leadership.
- Limited Liability CompaniesWe represent investors and active members in all aspects of planning, forming, structuring, permitting and managing joint ventures, limited and general partnerships, limited liability companies and other alliances. Our services include advice on tax consequences, drafting and negotiating agreements, and assisting with dispute resolution and liquidation. We also represent joint venture entities in acquisitions and other transactions.
- Construction ContractsActed as lead counsel for client Mainstream Renewable Power in the development and negotiations for the wind turbine supply, operation and maintenance, and balance of plant construction contracts for 300MW of wind projects in Chile.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual PropertyWe’ve led transactions for the purchase and sale of oil and gas fields throughout the western U.S. and Canada. In addition to standard due diligence for oil and gas-related transactions, we are vigilant about examining the myriad land use, permitting and environmental issues—both actual and potential—that arise when effecting exploration agreements, contracts, leases or financing. In addition to documenting and negotiating transaction details, we collaborate with tax attorneys experienced with special state and federal tax concerns that apply to businesses engaged in oil and gas exploration and development. On an ongoing basis, we provide to energy companies counsel on operational issues such as securities compliance, corporate finance, intellectual property protection, workforce management, employee benefits planning, and real estate and construction matters.
- Unfair Competition
- Antitrust
- Wrongful TerminationRepresented a large industrial shipyard in multiple litigation matters. Successfully secured summary judgment dismissing a plaintiff’s wrongful termination claim based on newly disclosed documents on the eve of trial. Continue to provide guidance on a variety of matters, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- Employment LitigationWe provide counseling and dispute resolution services across the spectrum of labor and employment law and advise employers on employment disputes and on the design, implementation and administration of all types of employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements.
- Severance AgreementWe help design and implement a wide range of additional employee benefit programs, including tax-sheltered annuity programs (403(b)s), employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), severance pay arrangements, governmental deferred compensation programs (457(b)s and 457(f)s), cash bonus programs and other broad-based incentive compensation plans.
- Real Estate LitigationOur litigation team is well versed in disputes that arise in the alcohol industry. We have represented competing landowners in vineyard boundary disputes, environmental enforcement actions by regulatory agencies, insurance coverage actions, private citizen suits, product liability defense and other similar matters. Our attorneys regularly handle cases involving commercial contracts, sale or development of IP, construction, real estate, and partnership disputes.
- Premises Liability
- Construction LitigationWe work as a team to share our expertise with clients from a project’s concept to completion — a “soup to nuts” approach. From negotiating purchase and sale agreements or design-build contracts, to arranging financing, drafting leases, structuring joint ventures, managing risks associated with construction defects, and performing due diligence, we have experience advising clients on all aspects of their real estate and construction activities. The depth of our knowledge allows us to assist clients in all areas of the real estate world, whether they are developers, lenders, investors, contractors, landlords, or tenants.
- Eminent DomainServe as outside counsel to California Resources Corporation in matters covering mineral title examination and preparation of drilling and division order title opinions, various exploration and production matters, unitization and pooling issues, asset acquisitions, oil and gas-related litigation matters, environmental permitting advice and assistance, eminent domain defense, surface use disputes and related negotiations, SB 4 compliance, and defense of environmental litigation matters.
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningFor companies considering a move to or expansion in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Utah or Washington, state and local incentives can present significant opportunities. But the benefits of tax credits and tax exemptions are tied to complex systems that vary from state to state and even locally. Entering a new business environment also means maneuvering through local real estate and land use laws. And any significant move inevitably calls for good government relations.
- Personal InjuryOur litigation attorneys represent manufacturers and distributors of consumer and industrial products in cases involving claims of loss or injury due to claimed defects and are able to manage and try products liability cases, including personal-injury and premises-liability cases, throughout the western U.S. and beyond.
- Disability DiscriminationProvide general employment counsel to one of the fastest growing grocery chains in the country for all its operations in Washington, Oregon, and California. Recent challenges have included unionization activity, and disability discrimination, workers’ compensation retaliation, and sick leave discrimination lawsuits.
- Estate PlanningAn effective estate plan addresses the challenges of family dynamics, technology, and changing tax laws in an efficient and easy to understand way. Estate planning is increasingly complicated as technology, family relationships and tax laws evolve. Assets are unique, families can be untraditional, and the strategies to transfer and protect wealth are as diverse as the lives and interests of our clients. The estate planning process demands attention to detail and navigation of technical nuances in order to achieve family goals.
- WillsOngoing changes in estate and gift tax laws mean that wills and trust agreements need review and updates to ensure they accomplish the tax planning and distribution goals of our clients.
- TrustsThe administration of a probate estate or an irrevocable trust can be complex. We help our clients navigate this process with minimal stress. We handle all aspects of settling estates from preparing and filing pleadings and documents for probate court to marshalling and inventorying estate assets, settling claims, advising on distributions, and preparing estate tax returns and other tax documents. We have experience handling complex, illiquid and regulated assets. We guide our clients through what can be a challenging and emotional process. Our lawyers have decades of experience with helping families through transitions after death.
- Power of AttorneyAdvised on plan design, documentation and corrections for a plan with assets exceeding $1.5 billion. We also assisted with overseeing plan operations provided by a third-party administrator, reviewed all powers-of-attorney and QDRO’s, and provided fiduciary guidance.
- Probate
- BankruptcyThere can be substantial litigation around an out-of-court or bankruptcy restructuring. We vigorously defend clients against lender liability actions, fraudulent conveyance claims and challenges to acquisitions. We bring actions to recover assets and fight preference actions. We also have experience representing both debtors and creditors in valuation disputes. In all cases, you can count on our extraordinary litigation skills, experience in bankruptcy court and understanding of how debtor and creditor issues affect your operations. We’ll work hard to avoid litigation when possible and bring cases to quick resolution aligned with your objectives.
- ForeclosureAdvising secured creditors on workout strategies for distressed borrowers, including out-of-court loan workouts and forbearance agreements, as well as loan-to-own strategies in Chapter 11 cases and state court foreclosures
- Tax LawStoel Rives’ Transportation Practice provides full service legal representation to the maritime, road/motor carrier (including autonomous vehicles), rail, aviation, and logistics industries, including on matters involving corporate transactions, land use, real estate, construction and design, track and corridor management, litigation, environmental, labor and employment, employee benefits, intellectual property, products liability, and tax issues. Our team of over 40 transportation-focused attorneys provides legal support to transportation industry clients across multiple jurisdictions.
- Debt CollectionRepresented automobile manufacturer in numerous lawsuits filed in state courts in the Pacific Northwest, including several matters involving breach of warranty, failure to perform repairs, negligence claims, and one matter involving the propriety of a debt collection. Each of these matters was resolved favorably.