Introduction to the Legal Scene in Portland
Portland may be known for its beautiful landscapes and thriving arts scene, but the legal market in the area has reached impressive new heights. In fact, according to ALM Intelligence, it is the only Tier 1 U.S. market that saw over 10% compound annual growth in attorney population growth last year. As demand for lawyers continues to flourish, an unprecedented number of lawyers are entering the market — an estimated 1,700 or more in the last four years alone.
Similar to any region, the legal market in Portland is affected by a variety of local factors. First and foremost is the nexus between Portland and the rest of the state, and the population density of nearby regions. Portland is known for its "tripod" market, which encompasses Northern and Southern Oregon, as well as Southwest Washington. As the major metropolitan hub in the region, Portland is the primary source of demand for legal services . And as the volume of lawyers increases, so does competition between firms of varying sizes, from stalwart international practices that have spent decades building their name and reputation to smaller, newer firms that offer competitive rates, convenience, and access to in-demand industry knowledge and specialized expertise.
Another factor feeding the growth of Portland’s legal market is the city’s reputation for being less expensive than surrounding markets (i.e., Seattle). Portland puts up far more affordable billable rates with the average partner rate hovering around $461 per hour.
All of these factors make Portland one of the top cities in the country in terms of the number of startups, where entrepreneurs have turned towards local talent to help them navigate the legal landscape. With this move towards new opportunities, some of the most prominent Portland law firms have expanded or merged with other firms to help them meet new demands.
How We Rank the Biggest Law Firms
These firms are typically ranked according to a number of different criteria that effectively determine the size of a law firm in comparison to others. One criteria is the number of practicing lawyers that a law firm has. More senior lawyers means a more established and more diverse firm, and it will likely have more employees in the future. The number of partners is also a common way to rank a law firm. A firm with a greater number of partners is able to bring in potentially more clients because the directors of a firm will be responsible more directly for seeking out clients and maintaining their business.
Revenue is an obvious deciding factor in the ranking of the largest law firms. A larger revenue means that a law firm has been able to serve a greater number of clients and provide better pay for its employees. Some lists take into account billing rates among the firm’s lawyers. This is an interesting criteria because effectively means that clients of a smaller law firm will have pay higher fees per hour. However, this doesn’t always mean that the firm is better than others, but that firms service different types of clientele each depending on ability to pay.
In-Depth Profiles of Portland’s 3 Largest Law Firms
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
History: With over 125 years of experience, Schwabe has become a strong player in the Pacific Northwest and a leader in the west in litigation, real estate, environmental, and financial services for both its practice of law and as an advocate for the success of its clients.
Notable Cases: Schwabe represented one of the world’s largest health insurance providers in a class action lawsuit against more than 100 manufacturers and distributors of light bulbs and other products, alleging antitrust violations; served as lead counsel to a client in a class action suit against a large credit card company; successfully defended a large co-op dairy association in a class action suit alleging deceptive trade practices.
Areas of Expertise: Affiliated with the State Bar in Oregon and the state Bars of Idaho and Washington, Schwabe has over 30 practice areas, including environmental, government affairs, Native American law, healthcare, litigation, real estate taxation, sustainability, tax, and real estate.
Community Involvement: The firm’s main office is located in downtown Portland. Its charitable foundation, Schwabe Williamson Foundation, supports various Portland-based organizations, from medical clinics to educational programs giving at risk children opportunities to develop their skills. They also support the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and donate their legal expertise by selling donated legal services to Oregon nonprofits at a discount, donating free legal services to local nonprofits, and participating in pro bono and volunteer programs like the Multnomah Bar Association.
Stoel Rives
History: Founded in 1901, Stoel Rives was formed by three attorneys who shared a commitment to professional excellence and responsible citizenship, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest and West Coast.
Notable Cases: Stoel Rives represented a landowner in a U.S. Supreme Court case to determine if Clean Water Act jurisdiction was limited to water bodies that displayed permanent bodies of water; represented Eagle Creek in its bankruptcy proceedings; defended Washington State in litigation against GE and Alstom in defense of EPA final rules.
Areas of Expertise: Stoel Rives is a leader in the legal aspects of renewable energy, the environment, antitrust, labor and employment, corporate M&A, intellectual property, and real estate.
Community Involvement: Their community service programs include volunteer events supporting local charities, an annual volunteer fair, and an annual volunteer recognition lunch. They are also heavily involved in educational programs related to science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts that include supporting local schools and environmental science fairs.
Perkins Coie Law
History: Founded in 1912, Perkins Coie held five ‘firsts’ in the Pacific Northwest: first American manufacturer of safety glass, first newspaper west of the Mississippi, first commercial color photograph, first second-class mailing permit, and first major Seattle theater that allowed smoking.
Notable Cases: Perkins successfully represented Alaska Airlines in a passenger class action lawsuit related to its air cargo fuel surcharge program; they acted as lead counsel to the Real Party in Interest for implementation of a ground wave surveillance radar system in the Columbia River Bar and Lower Willamette River section of the Port of Portland; defended the Portland Public and Hillsboro School Districts in lawsuits against these public school districts.
Areas of Expertise: Perkins Coie specializes in litigation, intellectual property, technology transactions and various business transactional services.
Community Involvement: The firm offers free pro-bono legal services for individuals and nonprofits; annually hosts a firm-wide Volunteer Day that allows employees to participate in volunteer events that support local charities; and offers a PACENET program to provide services to small businesses to ease survival in the current economy.
Comparing Legal Services and Client Reviews
Portland’s largest law firms are equipped to handle complex legal matters through every stage a client’s business may experience. Nationally recognized for their strength in mergers and acquisitions, copyrights and patents, class action litigation, labor and employment, bankruptcy and tax law, these powerhouse law firms in size and resources are remarkably accessible in terms of responsiveness, cost efficiency and closely listening to client needs. A recent study of client satisfaction conducted by the BTI Consulting Group confirms that client relationships are the driving force behind successful law firms, the study also highlighted the following five characteristics that make a difference to clients: At Perkins Coie and Stoel Rives, the two largest Portland law firms, client service is driven by their value proposition: Every lawyer and staff member is dedicated to maximizing the client’s success. Childress Law and Bullivant Houser – two relatively smaller firms with expert practices in their areas, but with enough infrastructure in place to cover the support needs of nearly any lawyer in those firms – also express similar commitments to client service. Childress Law, Bullivant Houser and Ball Janik make a concentrated effort to monitor feedback from clients well beyond initial surveys or satisfaction questionnaires. They communicate regularly with clients through a variety of channels to determine how they can improve their service offering. Portland’s Top 10 Law Firms are committed to continuous learning and improvement and use a number of sophisticated technological tools to assist lawyers in developing strongest case strategy and keep the firm aligned with overall goals and philosophies.
Firm Growth and Networking: The Future of Portland Law Firms
As of 2023, several of the "giant" law firms in Portland have shown impressive growth numbers over the past year. For example, Ball Janik LLP grew its revenue by over 16%, and many expect this trend to continue as the firm diversifies its portfolio and expands its operations. Similarly, Tonkon Torp LLP has made its mark in Portland’s real estate market and has plans to expand its environmental services to cater to a growing number of eco-conscious businesses .
Despite this positive outlook, some challenges lie ahead for Portland’s largest law firms. A changing workforce, shifts in office space requirements, and evolving legal needs are shaping the industry. However, all signs point to continued growth and expansion for the largest law firms in Portland for the foreseeable future.
The Economic and Community Impact of the Top Firms in Portland
It is undeniable that the largest law firms in Portland have a significant impact on the local economy and community. Not only do they provide employment opportunities for a large number of residents, but they also play a prominent role in various initiatives and local economic development projects.
Many of the largest law firms, such as Markowitz Herbold, Tonkon Torp, and Stoel Rives, have established themselves as community leaders through their support of local nonprofits and collaborative economic development efforts. Law firms often engage in corporate social responsibility programs, promoting pro bono work and encouraging their attorneys to become actively involved in the community. These efforts ensure that local voices are heard, and that businesses are deeply invested in the socioeconomic wellbeing of their community.
The legal giants in Portland also contribute to local economic development by directly impacting the growth of numerous industries. Their expertise and extensive networks assist clients in navigating complex business transactions, which helps stimulate economic growth in the surrounding areas. These firms often work closely with startup businesses, ensuring that the necessary legal and business frameworks are in place so that the companies can flourish.
Community involvement initiatives are another way that the largest law firms in Portland impact the region. Many firms participate in projects that champion youth development, legal aid, and working to end homelessness. By providing legal education, mentorship, and access to services, they empower local citizens and foster inclusive communities. This commitment to the greater good is commendable and resonates with community member values.
The largest law firms in Portland do not solely focus on their bottom line but rather their contributions to Portland’s economy and community are both far-reaching and long-lasting. It is evident that these firms are not only committed to their clients but also to the future of Portland.
Navigating the Right Law Firm for Your Legal Needs
The size or level of your case is sure to be a consideration when deciding which of the top Portland law firms you will select to represent you. But your needs and the needs of your case should extend beyond whether you are suing for damages, or a discretionary decision by the government. Look into how the firm you are considering specializes in areas of the law, and how they allocate time to those cases. Bigger may not always be better, but what is important is that whatever size firm you enlist, your case should be their priority. Also important is the type of law that you need. Lawsuits involving personal injury, malpractice, injury, criminal, fraud, business, trusts, family, class action, employment and real estate are all handled differently and require different skill sets and resources. Whatever your type of case is , be sure that the law firm you intend to retain has that experience, and the level of expertise that you need. The firm’s reputation, among clients, lawyers and judges, is perhaps the most important factor in choosing which one to retain. A reputable law firm will not be only credentialed and experienced, but will also be respected, admired and trusted throughout the community. Look into the history of the firm, its reputation throughout Oregon, and how major legal publications have ranked it in the past. The final element of law firm selection is customer service. From customer service reps to lawyers, every member of the staff must be friendly, helpful and dedicated to your case and your rights.