- Understanding Oregon's legal landscape
- Top 9 firms in Oregon
- What to consider when choosing a firm in Oregon
Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including legal services expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.
Oregon's $265.1 billion economy presents unique challenges for businesses navigating legal requirements across its diverse industries—from established technology clusters to emerging cannabis markets. This data-driven analysis examines law firms serving Oregon's 400,000 small businesses and major corporations, drawing insights from spending patterns and industry expertise to help companies make informed decisions about legal representation in a state where 12,000+ active attorneys operate against a backdrop of rural legal deserts and innovative regulatory frameworks.
Understanding Oregon's legal landscape
Oregon's legal services sector operates within a complex economic ecosystem where professional and business services contribute $38.5 billion to state GDP. The state's attorney distribution reflects broader economic patterns, with practitioners concentrated in metropolitan areas while rural counties like Gilliam, Sherman, and Wheeler face legal deserts where district attorneys serve as sole practitioners. This geographic disparity coincides with an access-to-justice gap affecting low and moderate-income Oregonians. Oregon leads regulatory innovation through initiatives like the Licensed Paralegal program with 13 practitioners sworn in by 2024 and the nation's first Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination, expanding service capacity beyond traditional attorney models. The legal market serves key industries including metals, machinery, and transportation equipment manufacturing, alongside a cannabis sector generating $994 million in 2022 sales that requires specialized regulatory expertise.
Top 9 firms in Oregon
Oregon's legal services market features firms ranging from century-old institutions to specialized boutiques serving the state's evolving economy. Our analysis identifies nine leading firms based on practice expertise, client portfolios, and market presence. Miller Nash LLP, with its 151-year history and 100-attorney team, leads in serving Pacific Northwest businesses across multiple sectors. Immix Law Group has carved a niche in startup and growth-stage company representation, while Kolitch Romano LLP dominates intellectual property prosecution with over 5,000 patents secured for clients.
Miller Nash LLP
Miller Nash LLP, founded in 1873, maintains offices in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver with approximately 100 attorneys serving Pacific Northwest businesses. The firm's practice spans corporate law, litigation, real estate, and intellectual property, with clients including technology startups, healthcare providers, financial institutions, and manufacturing companies. Notable achievements include defending CoxHealth against defamation claims and securing a $20 million judgment in ESI's antitrust counterclaims. The firm holds U.S. News "Best Law Firm" rankings with attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers in America, while maintaining specialized teams for healthcare regulatory compliance and technology venture financing.
Key practice areas
- Corporate law and business transactions
- Commercial litigation
- Real estate and land use
- Intellectual property
- Healthcare law
- Technology and venture capital
Best for
Miller Nash excels at serving established Pacific Northwest businesses requiring comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas. The firm particularly suits healthcare providers navigating regulatory compliance, technology companies seeking venture financing, and manufacturing enterprises engaged in complex transactions or litigation matters.
Notable facts
Founded in 1873, making it one of Oregon's oldest law firms. Secured a $20 million judgment in ESI's antitrust counterclaims case. Maintains specialized healthcare and technology practice groups serving key Oregon industries. Attorneys consistently recognized in Best Lawyers in America and U.S. News "Best Law Firm" rankings.
Immix Law Group
Immix Law Group operates as a specialized business law firm from Portland, focusing exclusively on corporate and transactional matters for startups and growth-stage companies. The practice serves technology and manufacturing sectors through entity formation, financing rounds, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial contracts. Distinguished by alternative fee structures and process efficiency, the firm functions as outside general counsel to emerging enterprises. Team members include veterans from national firms bringing big-law expertise to entrepreneurial clients, facilitating numerous venture capital transactions and technology transfers across Oregon's innovation economy.
Key practice areas
- Entity formation and corporate structure
- Venture capital and financing
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Commercial contracts
- Technology transactions
- Outside general counsel services
Best for
Immix Law Group serves startups and growth-stage companies requiring sophisticated corporate counsel without traditional law firm overhead. The firm particularly benefits technology and manufacturing enterprises seeking efficient, cost-effective representation for financing rounds, M&A transactions, and ongoing corporate matters.
Notable facts
Specializes exclusively in corporate and transactional work for emerging companies. Offers alternative fee structures designed for startup budgets. Team includes attorneys with national firm backgrounds. Serves as outside general counsel to multiple Oregon technology and manufacturing startups.
Kolitch Romano LLP
Kolitch Romano LLP, established in 2003, practices intellectual property law from Portland with 15+ attorneys prosecuting patents across electrical, mechanical, and computer technologies. The firm handles IP litigation, trademarks, and licensing for universities, research institutions, and technology companies from startups to Fortune 500 corporations. Having secured over 5,000 patents and litigated high-stakes IP disputes in federal courts, the firm earned recognition in IAM Patent 1000. Attorneys hold advanced technical degrees in physics and computer science, specializing in complex technologies including semiconductors, medical devices, and software systems.
Key practice areas
- Patent prosecution
- Intellectual property litigation
- Trademark registration and protection
- Technology licensing
- Trade secret protection
- IP portfolio management
Best for
Kolitch Romano serves technology companies, research institutions, and universities requiring specialized intellectual property expertise. The firm particularly benefits clients developing complex technologies in semiconductors, medical devices, and software who need attorneys with matching technical backgrounds.
Notable facts
Secured over 5,000 patents for clients since 2003 founding. Attorneys hold advanced degrees in physics, computer science, and engineering. Recognized in IAM Patent 1000 for intellectual property excellence. Represents clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations in Oregon's high-tech cluster.
Dunn Carney LLP
Dunn Carney LLP has served Pacific Northwest businesses since 1980 from Portland and Salem offices with 50+ attorneys covering agriculture, construction, energy, and natural resources law. The firm represents farming cooperatives, timber companies, renewable energy developers, and construction firms in transactional and litigation matters within Oregon's $28.9 billion agricultural economy. Notable work includes defending agricultural producers in water rights disputes and representing construction companies in delay claims. Attorneys hold leadership positions in Oregon Association of Defense Counsel with recognition in Best Lawyers for construction and environmental law.
Key practice areas
- Agriculture and natural resources law
- Construction law and litigation
- Energy and renewable development
- Water rights and environmental compliance
- Real estate transactions
- Land use and zoning
Best for
Dunn Carney excels at representing Oregon's land-based industries including farming cooperatives, timber companies, construction firms, and renewable energy developers. The firm particularly suits businesses navigating water rights, environmental regulations, and complex real estate transactions in rural and agricultural contexts.
Notable facts
Established in 1980 with deep roots in Oregon's agricultural and natural resource sectors. Maintains offices in both Portland and Salem to serve statewide clients. Attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers for construction and environmental law. Successfully defended agricultural producers in precedent-setting water rights disputes.
Grayson Law LLP
Grayson Law LLP practices complex civil litigation from Portland, founded by trial attorneys with big-firm experience focusing on high-stakes commercial disputes, professional liability defense, and appellate practice. The boutique firm has represented clients in precedent-setting cases before the Oregon Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Maintaining a selective roster of seasoned litigators from national firms, Grayson Law handles business torts, contract disputes, and legal malpractice defense with attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers for appellate and business litigation excellence.
Key practice areas
- Complex commercial litigation
- Professional liability defense
- Appellate practice
- Business torts
- Contract disputes
- Legal malpractice defense
Best for
Grayson Law serves businesses and professional service firms facing high-stakes litigation or appellate matters. The boutique particularly benefits clients requiring experienced trial attorneys for complex commercial disputes or seeking appellate review of significant legal issues.
Notable facts
Founded by attorneys with national firm backgrounds focusing exclusively on complex litigation. Successfully argued precedent-setting cases before Oregon Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit. Maintains selective roster of seasoned litigators. Attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers for appellate and business litigation.
White Summers
White Summers, founded in 1996, operates technology law practices in Portland and Silicon Valley with 20+ attorneys serving startups and growth companies. The firm handles corporate formation, venture financing, M&A transactions, securities law compliance, intellectual property strategy, and executive compensation. Having facilitated over $1 billion in venture capital transactions for software, hardware, and life sciences clients, attorneys hold technical degrees with prior industry experience. Recognized in Best Lawyers for venture capital law, the firm publishes widely-cited startup legal guides and hosts educational sessions for entrepreneurial communities.
Key practice areas
- Venture capital and startup financing
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Securities law compliance
- Intellectual property strategy
- Executive compensation
- Corporate formation and governance
Best for
White Summers specializes in representing technology startups and growth-stage companies through all phases of development. The firm particularly benefits entrepreneurs seeking counsel from attorneys with technical backgrounds who understand both legal and business aspects of venture-backed companies.
Notable facts
Facilitated over $1 billion in venture capital transactions since 1996. Maintains offices in both Portland and Silicon Valley to serve West Coast technology markets. Attorneys hold technical degrees with prior industry experience. Publishes widely-cited legal guides for startups and hosts regular educational sessions.
Kell Alterman & Runstein PC
Kell Alterman & Runstein PC has practiced business law in Portland since 1985 with 30+ attorneys serving middle-market companies in manufacturing, distribution, and professional services. Practice areas encompass business transactions, commercial litigation, employment law, and estate planning for clients in Oregon's metal fabrication, transportation equipment, and wood products sectors. The firm handles business succession planning for multi-generational manufacturers and employment disputes for agricultural processors, with attorneys holding Oregon State Bar leadership roles and Super Lawyers recognition for business litigation.
Key practice areas
- Business transactions
- Commercial litigation
- Employment law
- Estate planning and business succession
- Manufacturing industry representation
- Distribution and logistics counsel
Best for
KAR excels at serving Oregon's middle-market manufacturing and distribution companies, particularly family-owned businesses requiring succession planning. The firm suits established enterprises in traditional industries seeking comprehensive business law services with deep regional connections.
Notable facts
Established in 1985 focusing on Oregon's industrial and manufacturing sectors. Represents clients central to the state's $37.7 billion real estate/leasing GDP sector. Attorneys hold leadership positions in Oregon State Bar sections. Specializes in multi-generational business succession planning for manufacturers.
Sussman Shank LLP
Sussman Shank LLP, established in 1953, operates from Portland and Lake Oswego with 40+ attorneys serving businesses and individuals in litigation, bankruptcy, real estate, and tax law. The commercial litigation group handles contract disputes, fiduciary claims, and real estate conflicts while the bankruptcy practice represents creditors and trustees in complex reorganizations. Supporting Oregon's $36.5 billion construction industry, the construction law group assists contractors and developers. Attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers for bankruptcy and commercial litigation, with several serving as federal court mediators.
Key practice areas
- Commercial litigation
- Bankruptcy and creditors' rights
- Real estate law
- Construction law
- Tax planning and disputes
- Fiduciary litigation
Best for
Sussman Shank serves businesses facing financial distress, real estate developers, and construction companies requiring litigation or transactional support. The firm particularly benefits creditors in bankruptcy proceedings and parties involved in complex commercial disputes requiring experienced trial counsel.
Notable facts
Founded in 1953, making it one of Oregon's established law firms. Represented clients in landmark bankruptcy proceedings and real estate development disputes. Several attorneys serve as federal court mediators and state bar committee chairs. Recognized in Best Lawyers for bankruptcy and commercial litigation excellence.
Markowitz Herbold PC
Markowitz Herbold PC, founded in 1985, practices complex business litigation from Portland with 30+ attorneys handling intellectual property, contract, fiduciary duty, and trade secret disputes. Trial lawyers have secured numerous eight-figure verdicts and defended bet-the-company litigation for technology companies, professional service firms, and manufacturing enterprises. Notable representations include software copyright infringement cases and partnership disputes within professional practices. Consistently recognized in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, several attorneys serve as American Arbitration Association arbitrators supporting Oregon's $38.5 billion professional services sector.
Key practice areas
- Complex business litigation
- Intellectual property disputes
- Trade secret litigation
- Fiduciary duty claims
- Partnership and shareholder disputes
- Commercial arbitration
Best for
Markowitz Herbold specializes in high-stakes business litigation for technology companies, professional service firms, and manufacturing enterprises facing bet-the-company disputes. The firm particularly suits clients requiring experienced trial lawyers for intellectual property conflicts or complex commercial litigation.
Notable facts
Secured numerous eight-figure verdicts in complex commercial cases since 1985 founding. Handles sophisticated intellectual property and trade secret disputes for technology sector clients. Attorneys consistently recognized in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. Several partners serve as arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association.
What to consider when choosing a firm in Oregon
Selecting legal counsel in Oregon requires evaluating firms against your specific industry context and geographic needs. Start by assessing whether your business operates in Oregon's traditional sectors like agriculture, timber, and manufacturing, or emerging markets like technology and cannabis—each demanding distinct regulatory expertise. Consider geographic coverage carefully, as rural counties face legal deserts that may require Portland or Salem-based firms willing to travel or provide remote services.
Evaluate firm size relative to your needs: boutique specialists like Kolitch Romano offer deep IP expertise for tech companies, while full-service firms like Miller Nash provide comprehensive support across multiple practice areas. For startups and growth companies, examine fee structures—firms like Immix Law Group offer alternative billing arrangements designed for emerging businesses. Industry alignment proves critical: Dunn Carney's agricultural focus serves farming cooperatives differently than White Summers' venture capital orientation benefits tech startups.
Request specific Oregon experience during initial consultations. Ask about the firm's work with Licensed Paralegals or participation in the state's innovative Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination program, indicating forward-thinking approaches to legal service delivery. Verify attorney credentials through the Oregon State Bar, checking disciplinary records and practice area certifications. Schedule consultations with at least three firms, preparing specific questions about their experience with your industry's regulatory requirements, typical fee structures for similar matters, and availability for your geographic region. This systematic approach ensures selection of counsel equipped to navigate Oregon's unique legal landscape while meeting your business's specific needs.
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