Derek has tried over 140 jury cases to verdict, winning over 80 percent. His law practice involves complex civil litigation with a focus on trial work. Derek represents companies and individuals in cases involving death, personal injury, product liability, liquor liability, false imprisonment, insurance fraud, professional negligence, and white-collar criminal matters. His regulatory work includes representation of professionals before the Oregon Board of Accountancy, the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners, the Oregon Board of Nursing, the Oregon Real Estate Agency, Oregon OSHA, and defense of hospitality clients before the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

Derek is preferred counsel for Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., Republic Services, Inc., National Interstate Insurance Company, Vanliner Insurance Company, ATTIC RRG, CAMICO, Hudson Insurance, Great West Casualty, C.R. England, Inc., Snap-on Inc, and Valvoline, Inc.

Before entering private practice, Derek served as a Deputy District Attorney for Multnomah County, where he tried major felony criminal cases including aggravated murder. Since leaving the District Attorney’s office, he has served as a special prosecutor for the District Attorney’s office in conflict matters.

Derek volunteers his time with the Legal Aid Services of Oregon by representing victims of violence and intimidation through the Domestic Violence Project and by representing persons who have changed their lives through the Expungement Clinic.

  • “Pre-Claim Investigations”, ATTIC RRG Safety Conference, Missoula, Montana (June 2016)
  • “ATTIC Safety Conference”, Legal Prospective – discussion participant, Kimpton Hotel, Denver, Colorado (2014)
  • “Premises Liability for Third-Party Acts”, Speaker and Panel Moderator – ALFA International Hospitality Law Seminar, Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, California (2013)
  • “Legal Update: Criminal Law Issues”, Speaker – Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad Police Annual Regional Law Enforcement Conference, Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, Washington (2013)
  • “Cross Examination”
    • Conducted a live cross-examination of a major transportation company’s Safety Director before seminar attendees and a mock jury – ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, California (2011)
  • “Expert Witnesses”, Speaker – Lincoln High School, Forensics Class (2012)
  • “CSA – From the Boardroom to the Courtroom”, Speaker and Moderator – ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, California (2011)
  • “Liquor Liability Issues”, Speaker – ALFA International Hospitality Law Seminar, Westin Kierland Resort Scottsdale, Arizona (2011)
  • “Experts and Consultants”, Presentation to Moss Adams Business Risk Group (April 2010)
  • “Missing Driver – Legal Strategies”, ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, California (2009)
  • “Trial Evidence”, Presenter – Oregon State Bar CLE (2008)
  • “Winter Driving and Preserving Evidence”, Presenter – Oregon Trucking Association (2008)
  • “Meditation – The Empathetic Approach”, Panel Moderator, ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Barton Springs Ranch Resort, Austin, Texas (2007)
  • “Making Winning Presentations to the Court in Motions to Suppress”, Presenter, Oregon Law Institute’s Search & Seizure Summit (2002)

Professional Organizations

  • American Bar Association
  • Multnomah County Bar Association
  • Oregon State Bar Association
  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
  • Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
  • Trucking Defense Advocacy Council (TDAC)
  • United States District Court of Oregon
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers

Civic Organizations

Derek was a board member and treasurer for Cardinal Football, a non-profit corporation that serves Lincoln High School. He served as an assistant football coach at Lincoln High School and was a member of the National Federation of High School Coaches Association.

Professional Activities

Derek served as chair for the ALFA International Transportation Practice Group for the year 2016-2017. He was the Vice Chair in 2016, and Program Chair for the 2015 ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar that was held in Coronado, California.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

When Derek is not in the office, you can find him exercising, traveling, fishing, socializing, and following his Oregon Ducks.