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The 5 Firms with the Best Civil Litigation Lawyers in Portland to Resolve Disputes

Track Record of Success: We looked closely at each firm's history of settlements and court verdicts. A strong record of winning complex cases shows they know how to navigate the local legal system.  

Breadth of Practice Areas: We checked if the attorneys handle a wide variety of disputes or specialize in highly specific fields. This helps ensure they have the exact knowledge needed for your unique situation.  

Transparent Fee Structures: We examined how each firm bills its clients, looking for clear communication about hourly rates and retainers. Honest and upfront billing prevents nasty surprises when the final invoice arrives.  

Licensing and Reach: We prioritized lawyers who hold licenses in multiple states or have specialized board certifications. Broad legal reach makes handling complicated cross-border disputes much easier for everyone involved.  

Client Representation: We reviewed the specific types of clients each firm takes on to ensure a balanced list. This ensures you’ll find a match whether you’re a tenant, landlord, business owner, or injured individual.

Getting tangled up in a lawsuit is stressful, expensive, and frankly, exhausting. Legal battles happen, unfortunately, from individuals looking for employment lawyers in specialized fields to investors who need to protect their capital.

When you’re in a legal mess, you want an advocate who listens and fights for your best interests. Finding the right representation can easily make or break your entire case.

So, we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best civil litigation lawyers in Portland to save you time by pointing out reputable firms in the area. Let’s dive right into the details so you can make a solid choice.

How much does civil litigation cost in Portland?

Hiring a civil litigation lawyer in Portland typically costs between $350 and $550 per hour for an experienced private attorney, but newer associates can sit closer to $325 per hour.

Phase of LitigationTypical Cost Range
Initial Retainer Deposit$2,250 – $6,500
Demand Letter & Negotiation$1,000 – $3,500
Filing & Discovery Phase$5,000 – $20,000+
Full Trial (Heavily Contested)$50,000 – $100,000+

1. Johnston Law Firm

johnston-law-firm

Website: https://johnston-lawfirm.com/

Address: 200 SW Market St, Suite 1900

Contact: 503-389-6103

Hours: 24/7

The team at Johnston Law Firm is impressive for their documented history of securing massive multi-million dollar civil verdicts, like a $13.9 million recovery in a semi-truck collision.

They even bring in independent investigators and expert witnesses to strengthen your case from day one, ensuring they have all information at hand.

It’s also fantastic that they run their entire civil injury practice strictly on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay zero upfront costs to get them fighting for you. 

We managed to speak to a former client who only had high praise. Mainly, the legal team’s relentless approach to proving liability in a complicated negligence suit was impressive.

However, their scope is strictly limited to personal injury and wrongful death. You’ll definitely need to look elsewhere if you’re dealing with business conflicts or property disputes.

Pros

  • Operates entirely on contingency fees
  • Proven track record handling high-value cases
  • Network of expert witnesses and investigators
  • Relentless approach

Cons

  • Limited strictly to injury and wrongful death

Customer Reviews

Professional support & a great outcome after a complex auto accident 

I highly recommend Johnston Law Firm to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney. I was involved in an auto accident with complex liability issues and injuries that led to the loss of my employment. The attorneys were approachable, easy to work with, and consistently professional in a way that put me at ease.

I’m very pleased with the outcome of my case, and I don’t believe another firm could have achieved the same result. 

Caring, seamless representation for an out-of-state crash

I was in a terrible car accident while traveling in Portland, and I needed a strong, local attorney to represent my personal injury case.  The resources at Johnston Law Firm were caring and thorough.  They walked me through the process, checked in on my health, and kept me updated through the long process.  My case had multiple, complex parts, and Marc’s team handled the issues seamlessly from start to finish.  Marc knew the case would take some time, and he and his team had confidence in the facts of my case to carry me across the finish line.

2. Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC

southwest-portland-law-group-llc

Website: https://swpdxlaw.com/ 

Address: 8455 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy

Contact: 503-206-6401

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Southwest Portland Law Group brings a comprehensive approach to property litigation, blending trial advocacy with deep knowledge of Homeowner Association (HOA) and construction law.

We like them for their ability to handle a massive variety of business disputes, including breach of contract and Limited Liability Company (LLC) conflicts.

They don’t just drag every single case to trial. These attorneys regularly represent clients in private mediations and settlement conferences to save you precious time and money.

Plus, they manage appellate work in-house if an initial court ruling needs to be challenged.

But you should know that they only represent landlords in landlord-tenant disputes. Tenants facing unfair eviction or serious housing issues will need to find a different legal advocate to represent them.

Pros

  • Comprehensive approach to property litigation
  • Handles complex business and LLC conflicts
  • Appellate work is managed entirely in-house
  • Represents clients in private mediations

Cons

  • Exclusively represents landlords in tenant disputes

Customer Reviews

Fast, expert help with a tough eviction case

We hired Jesse from this law group to help out with an eviction case. The tenants in my rental property had been smoking and disrupting the neighbors with their noise, but denied all accusations and became very unresponsive. With Jesse’s help, we were lucky enough to get them out in a timely manner that avoided further damages and costs. Jesse is very expierenced with the landlord tenant law! He responded to all of our questions and concerns very quickly. We really appreciate all his help and recommend to anyone who need help on landlord tenant issues! 

3. Clark Law and Associates

clark-law-and-associates

Website: https://clarklawportland.com/ 

Address: 6501 SW Macadam Ave #E

Contact: 503-238-1010

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Clark Law and Associates makes navigating lawsuits across state lines this much easier because their team includes attorneys licensed in both Oregon and Washington.

As an Oregon and Washington Law firm, it allows them to seamlessly handle complex civil disputes that involve overlapping state laws.

They also take on very diverse cases, spanning from physical property damage litigation to civil police misconduct. Plus, they offer really solid representation for both landlords and tenants dealing with property conflicts.

One major downside, however, is their strict pricing structure for property disputes. 

In particular, they charge a steep $400 hourly initial consultation fee for most landlord and tenant matters. You’ll need to pay a significant amount out of pocket just to have your case evaluated.

Pros

  • Attorneys licensed in Oregon and Washington
  • Works on a wide range of cases
  • Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) restraining orders
  • Works on complex civil disputes

Cons

  • High $400 hourly initial consultation fee

Customer Reviews

Trial-winning support for a first-time legal need

Jina Clark and Brendan Burke were fantastic to work with. They took on my dog bite case, they explained what to expect every step along they way, and then when we went to trial, we won! It was my first experience needing an attorney (hopefully my last) and they were amazing! I recommend them to anyone who needs a personal injury attorney. 

Swift settlement & strong advocacy in under two weeks

Amazing lawer! Jina, who represented me in a civil suit was able to get a settlement for me in less than 2 weeks. She stood up for my rights and made sure to hold everyone accountable who was involved in my case. Her fees are extremely reasonable and she knows what she is doing. I highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation in police misconduct or personal injury claims. 

4. D’Amore Law Group

damore-law-group

Website: https://damorelaw.com/ 

Address: 1050 SW 6th Ave #1100

Contact: 971-459-2037

Hours: 24/7

D’Amore Law Group is one of our most trusted firms for their ability to handle complex legal matters. Founder Tom D’Amore is formally board-certified in truck accident law with over 30 years of experience, including securing multi-million dollar jury verdicts.

Even better, the firm’s team features personal injury lawyers licensed across Oregon, Washington, and California. Their broad geographic reach is incredibly helpful for multi-state claims.

Moreover, their services include handling mass torts and civil class action lawsuits for consumers harmed by toxic spills or defective products.

But since they operate exclusively on the plaintiff side for personal injury cases, they simply can’t help you with civil defense work or standard business disputes.

Pros

  • Board-certified in truck accident law
  • Lawyers licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California
  • Track record of multi-million dollar verdicts
  • Handles mass torts and class actions

Cons

  • Exclusively a plaintiff-side injury firm

Customer Reviews

Quick settlement & full bill coverage after an uninsured crash 

When I got hit by a car in Texas by a guy without insurance I was left with a bunch of medical bills and had no clue what to do. Matt and the D’Amore group stepped in and not only got me a settlement, but got all of my bills covered. It happened so fast and was so easy I couldn’t believe it. Hands down the best attorney I could have asked for. Thank you guys! 

Expert guidance & coaching through a serious accident claim

D’Amore Law were fantastic working for me after a serious motor vehicle accident. They were instrumental in helping me navigate the complex process, giving expert advice, coaching me on giving testimony, and supporting me in many other ways. End result was a very amenable settlement for which I am very grateful. 

5. Scannellaw

scannellaw

Website:https://scannellaw.com/

Address: 7307 SW Beveland St Suite 200

Contact: 503-862-7723

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Saturday Open 24 Hours

One of the most impressive firms we’ve encountered is Scannellaw. 

For starters, they bring a well-rounded perspective because one of their attorneys has direct experience managing startups and another holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

As a managing partner, Terry Scannell even boasts high-level government experience working closely with the Portland Mayor’s office. Because of their credentials, they have a strong understanding of corporate operations from the inside out.

Part of their expertise includes tackling malpractice suits and complex securities fraud litigation. They also provide highly targeted business law services for specific industries, like Information Technology (IT), banking, and property management.

However, their practice is heavily geared toward corporate law, real estate, and financial fraud. You’ll need to look elsewhere if you need a litigator for family law or standard negligence claims.

Pros

  • Attorneys have startup and MBA experience
  • Provides dedicated legal malpractice representation
  • Highly targeted business law services
  • Strong understanding of corporate operations

Cons

  • Not the right fit for family law cases

Customer Reviews

Fast 24-hour response & helpful business consultation 

I messaged Terry with a business contract issue, and he contacted me to set up a free phone consultation within 24 hours. He was generous with his time and advice in our consultation. He listened to my issue and provided several options forward during our phone call. I will definitely retain his services if I need a lawyer for my future business transactions. 

Winning guidance for an overwhelming business dispute

I needed an attorney and I’m so glad I found Terry Scannell. I found myself involved in a business dispute that was very complex and overwhelming for me. Right away, Terry and his team knew just what to do and guided us through the whole situation start to finish. Everything worked out and we came out on top! I highly recommend this firm! 

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