I began practicing law in Seattle, Washington, more than 20 years ago, with a firm specializing in maritime law. The maritime law practice was a good fit for me, as I had worked for nine years as a licensed deck officer in the American merchant marine.

After five years in Seattle, I moved to Portland, Oregon to begin working for a group of companies engaged in metal recycling, manufacturing, real estate and ocean shipping.  Over the next fifteen years, I handled a vast array of business transactions, including:

purchase, sale and lease of real property; acquisition and sale of businesses; multi-million dollar loan transactions; and the more routine types of legal
issues encountered in the business world, such employment law questions, contract review and negotiation, business disputes, etc.  I also represented
my clients in litigation in court and in arbitrations in California, Washington, Oregon and as far away as London, England.

In 2004, I opened a small law practice in Wilsonville, Oregon. Since then, I have continued to do a substantial amount of business work for a number of small (and not so small) businesses, as well as helping individuals start their own businesses.  In addition, I have represented small businesses and individuals in such diverse areas as collection cases, contract negotiations, child custody and divorce, wrongful termination, personal injury, professional malpractice, purchase and sale of residence, and sexual harassment.

What I learned when I first began practicing law, and what continues to guide me today, is the realization that every client expects his or her legal matter to be taken seriously, and handled in a practical, competent and affordable manner.  As a sole practitioner, I give my clients personal attention, without the billable hour pressures faced by lawyers in larger firms.  My diverse legal and business background gives me the confidence, experience and flexibility to tackle a wide breadth of legal matters.   

I enjoy the practice of law, and appreciate the trust and confidence of my clients who ask me to perform legal services for them.  It is a great privilege and responsibility to provide such services and I take my obligations seriously.

I graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York and am a retired U.S. Naval Reserve officer.  I received my law degree from the University of Washington and am admitted to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.  I have been married for more than 20 years.  My wife and I have three children, and live in Portland, Oregon.