Jason helps companies navigate their legal needs and resolve disputes with practical, business-minded solutions. He serves as outside counsel to numerous companies, advising on their daily legal needs, including corporate governance and maintenance, contractual matters, ownership and succession planning, real estate, construction, and creditor/debtor rights.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Jason is skilled in all aspects of business and commercial dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on mediation and arbitration. Throughout his career, he has represented clients in hundreds of company contract disputes, both prosecuting and defending claims.

Business Counsel

Jason regularly advises companies on a wide range of legal and business matters, including:

  • Commercial leases
  • Contracts
  • Corporate, partnership, and LLC Law
  • Creditor and debtor rights
  • Entity maintenance and governance
  • Formation of new businesses
  • Loan transactions
  • Sales transactions
  • Succession planning

Dispute Resolution

Jason represents clients in mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings. His experience spans complex commercial and business disputes, including:

  • Contract disputes
  • Construction claims, including lien, bond, impact, and delay claims
  • Shareholder and LLC member disputes
  • Business torts (conversion, wrongful interference, etc.)
  • Commercial lease disputes
  • Judgment enforcement

My approach when working with clients is to understand their business and economic goals. This helps me identify practical solutions that align with their specific circumstances and objectives.

Business Counsel

  • Serves as outside counsel and registered agent for nearly 50 companies.
  • Has handled numerous transactional matters, including purchase and sale agreements, shareholder agreements, commercial leases, and company bylaws and operating agreements.

Construction/Real Estate

  • Successfully represented a construction client in resolving a multi-million-dollar contract dispute. Opposing party demanded additional compensation, but through strategic negotiations and clear legal analysis, we demonstrated the claims were unfounded—ultimately helping our client avoid a costly and protracted lawsuit.
  • Represented a commercial contractor in a breach of contract and construction lien foreclosure matter. The matter involved a commercial property owner that claimed its agent did not have the authority to bind the owner to a contract. As a result of our representation, the client obtained an arbitration award for the full amount of the claim.
  • Represented a subcontractor in a complex construction dispute involving numerous parties, large cost overruns, and delay damages, successfully achieving the client’s goals.
  • Represented an owner/developer against a general contractor and surety involving claims for breach of contract, fraud, and seeking surety’s payment under the Performance Bond.
  • Represented state university in real estate dispute concerning whether conditions of Bargain and Sale Deed were satisfied.
  • Successfully represented numerous commercial landlords in seeking payment and/or eviction of non-performing tenants.

Business Litigation

  • Represented a business valued at approximately $100 million in negotiating and drafting a comprehensive Buy- Sell Agreement. The agreement addressed succession planning across multiple generations, aligned with the long-term vision of the business, and balanced the diverse goals of current shareholders.
  • Represented company owner in matter alleging violation of fiduciary duties of care and loyalty.
  • Represented international bank in financial fraud case.
  • Represented company in contract dispute action against national auto dealer.
  • Represented national bank in fraudulent transfer action.
  • Frequently represents commercial landlords and tenants in all types of commercial lease disputes.
  • Represented regional company against claims alleging theft of trade secrets.
  • Frequently represents construction companies, manufacturing companies, and service companies involved in all types of contract disputes.

  • OP-ED: “Why well-drafted contracts matter: a litigator’s perspective”  (January 2018)
  • Oregon State Bar CLE Publications
    • The Oregon Real Estate Deskbook (2015 Edition)
    • Construction Law (2011)
    • Contract Law in Oregon (2008)
    • Foreclosing Security Interests (2005)
    • OR Civil Litigation Manual (2004)
    • Contract Law in Oregon (2003)
    • Foreclosing Sec. Interests (2001)
    • Civil Litigation (1999)

  • “Strengthening Timely Collection Efforts,” NACM (April 2025)
  • Suit Worthiness: To Sue or Not to Sue, Western Credit Conference (2019)
  • Oregon and Washington Lien Law (2016 – 2019)

Presented to numerous in-house client audiences on a range of topics, including corporate governance, managing legal risk, and legal documentation.

Professional Organizations

  • Business Litigation Executive Committee, Oregon State Bar
    • Chair (Present)
    • Chair-Elect (2024)
    • Treasurer (2023)
    • Secretary (2022)
  • Construction Section Executive Committee, Oregon State Bar
    • Chair (2015)
    • Chair-Elect (2014)
    • Treasurer (2013)
    • Secretary (2012)
  • Multnomah Bar Association
  • Oregon State Bar Association
    • Construction Section
    • Litigation Section
    • Dispute Resolution Section
    • Real Estate Section
  • Washington State Bar Association
    • Litigation Section
    • Business and Corporate Law Section Construction Section

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Outside the office, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, Heidi, and their two children, who attend college in faraway states. He stays active with running and skiing, enjoys live music, reading action-packed novels, and watching sports — including the Portland Trail Blazers, football, and volleyball. Jason admits he’s one of the few native Oregonians who cheer for both the Ducks and the Beavers!