Jeanne M. Chamberlain

Education:
J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, Order of the Coif, 1985
B.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute, 1974

Admitted to Practice:
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Washington, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

Biography:

Jeanne has substantial litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts. Her practice emphasizes complex civil commercial litigation, including contract disputes, creditors rights, shareholder disputes, professional liability, and injunction actions.

Recent cases include:

• Synectic Ventures, et al. v. Craig Berkman, et al., Multnomah County Circuit Court.  Jeanne defended one of the accountants who provided services to Craig Berkman's investment funds.  When investors sued Berkman alleging that he took fund money, the accountants were also sued.  Plaintiffs alleged that the accountants aided Berkman in hiding his theft.
• Robinson v. Regional Accounting Firm, U.S. District Court. Defended a $9 million professional malpractice claim.  Our client provided accounting and tax services to plaintiff over a 15‑year period.  After terminating the engagement, plaintiff alleged that a substantial sum was missing.  Jeanne won summary judgment in her client's favor establishing that the firm had in fact provided an adequate accounting for plaintiff's funds.
• City of West Linn v. Regional Accounting Firm. West Linn's Finance Director embezzled $1.4 million before her theft was discovered.  Jeanne defended the City's long-time outside auditor.
  
   
• Puget Sound Energy, Inc., PacifiCorp, and the City of Seattle v. Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington, King County Superior Court Case No.01-2-22126-4SEA. Jeanne represented PGE in this dispute concerning Power Sale Contracts related to the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River. PacifiCorp and others filed a state court action to enjoin Grant County PUD from enforcing certain contract rights. Jeanne intervened and defeated plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants won summary judgment.
• Dunstan v. Ernst & Young, LLP. Jeanne defended Ernst & Young, LLP in a negligent misrepresentation and securities case.
• Graham v. Trullinger, et al. Jeanne defended Deloitte & Touche LLP in a negligent misrepresentation and securities case.
• SEC v. J. Kenneth Stringer, III, J. Mark Samper, William N. Martin and Steven R. Eagleburger. Jeanne defended FLIR's former CEO in an SEC civil enforcement proceeding.
• Crandon Capital Partners v. Shelk, et al. Jeanne successfully defended Willamette Industries' individual directors in a class action related to Weyerhaeuser's hostile tender offer. She won summary judgment.
• BPA v. WPPSS, 956 F2d 1497 (9th Cir 1992). Portland General Electric Company in litigation concerning the allocation of costs among twinned nuclear power plants.
• In re Louisiana-Pacific Corp. Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 95-707-JO; In re Lousiana-Pacific Corp. Derivative Litigation, Castle County, Delaware Chancery Court Consolidated CA No. 14322; In re Louisiana-Pacific Inner-Seal Products Liability Litigation, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 95-879-JO-LEAD. Jeanne represented Louisiana-Pacific's former Chairman and CEO, Harry Merlo, in these securities, derivative and products liability class actions.
• Dowsett v. West One Bank, Oregon S.B., Multnomah County Circuit Court Case NO. 9201-00506. Jeanne represented West One in this class action concerning a renewable rate mortgage product.
• Damerow Ford Co. v. Bradshaw, 128 Or App 606 (1994). Jeanne defended Damerow's former president and CEO in a dispute concerning usurpation of corporate opportunity and related matters. She obtained a summary judgment on all of the corporation's claims and on her client's counterclaims. The trial court was affirmed.

She began her legal career in 1985 at the firm of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, where she practiced civil litigation, administrative representation, energy and corporate work.

Jeanne served as Chair of Tonkon Torp's Litigation Department for nearly two years.

Jeanne's other interests include birding, flyfishing and gardening.

Professional Organizations:
Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar
Federal Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association (Court Liaison Committee)
Oregon Women Lawyers
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel

Community Activities:
Southeast Legal Clinic
Multnomah Art Center Association, President, Board of Directors