clarity from chaos
Portland Area Law Blog
After 2020, will alternative dispute resolution go mainstream?
Prior to March, 2020, most of us had never heard of Zoom. Most of us had never teleworked or did so infrequently. And, in the blissful way-before times, a Corona was just a beer. Similarly, when it came to litigation, many gave little credence to alternative dispute...
Commercial leases: flatly different from their residential counterparts
Business principals and investors across the vibrant and growing Portland metro area often deal simultaneously with bracing challenges and attractive opportunities. In other words, entrepreneurs and established participants in the commercial realm are notably busy...
HOAs are powerful, but they have limits
Americans like to think of their homes as their castles, where their word is law. Of course, homeowners have limits to what they can do with their own homes. That's especially true for owners of condominiums and other homes that are subject to a homeowners...
Startups need intellectual property protections
Business startups’ greatest asset may be the new ideas that they bring to the marketplace. While intangible, these ideas need intellectual property business law and protections to assure that a startup may exploit their innovations to gain profits and prevent other...
Do you think your siblings altered your parents’ estate plan?
When your parents’ estate plan comes to light, you don’t feel like it is exactly what you were expecting. While you have moved away from home and your siblings stayed closer to your parents, you have still talked with them from time to time about their will and other...
New zoning laws changing the face of Portland
A progressive new low-density housing reform is transforming the city of Portland, with profound implications for real estate investments. The proposed changes in zoning requirements for residential lots has been billed as controversial since Portland condo developer...
What documents should I include in my estate plan?
Having a comprehensive estate plan that meets the needs of the estate planner is important. For that reason, the estate planner should be familiar with what estate planning documents they should consider including in their estate plan. Will A will is an important part...
Mediation can help employers, employees with business disputes
Fostering a positive workplace can lead to happier and more dedicated employees. However, it is not unusual for workplace disputes to arise even in the most supportive work environment. Litigating a workplace dispute in Oregon can be a long, expensive and...
How to solve a real estate dispute before closing
You’ve found the home of your dreams, it’s under contract and you’re working toward closing day. But then something goes wrong and you soon realize that your dream may not come true. Rather than think the worst, there are steps you can take to solve your real estate...
What type of insurance do I need for my business in Oregon?
In Oregon, starting or purchasing a business can simultaneously be an exciting and worrisome time. People who are moving forward in any type of self-starting endeavor must be aware of how to create, market and sell their product so the business can survive and thrive....
