Attorneys
Steven C. Berman
Steven Berman's practice emphasizes business, employment and securities litigation. Steven also has extensive experience providing advice and representation regarding Oregon election law. He represents both individuals and institutions, predominantly as plaintiffs, in arbitrations and in state and federal court. Steven has briefed and/or argued appellate matters before the Oregon Court of Appeals, the Oregon Supreme Court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Before entering law school, Steven managed a transitional homeless shelter in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 2008, Steven took a professional sabbatical from Stoll Berne to provide counsel and research on Oregon initiative and referendum matters. During that time, he was part of a team that won each of the eleven statewide ballot measure campaigns it undertook. Steven also successfully lobbied the Oregon legislature for laws to prevent fraud and abuse in the initiative and referendum systems. Steven returned to Stoll Berne in 2010.
In 2005, Steven received the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association's Arthur H. Bryant Public Justice Award. Steven has authored articles on employment termination, competition and trade-secret matters, and on the rights of homeless people. Steve authored the chapter on Elections Law and Government Ethics in the Oregon State Bar's 2009 Oregon Legislation Highlights. Steven has lectured on business litigation and balancing work and personal life.
Areas of Practice:
Business Litigation/Employment:
Represented multinational steel manufacturing and trading company in various director, employee and third-party actions. Obtained dismissal or summary judgment in each of five cases brought against company. ISTIL Group, Inc. v. Masood, USDC Case No. CV 03-1765 AS (2004 WL 948376); Integral Resources (PVT) Limited v. ISTIL Group, Inc., USDC (D.Del.) Case No. 03-904 (GMS) (2004 WL 2758672, affirmed, 155 Fed. Appx. 69 (3rd. Cir. 2005)).
Employment/Shareholder Dispute:
Represented employee and shareholder in wrongful termination suit against former employer. Case successfully resolved after mediation.
Securities/Trade Secrets/Employment:
Represented national brokerage firm in breach of noncompete and misappropriation of trade secrets case in federal court and before the National Association of Securities Dealers (now known as FINRA). Preliminary and permanent injunctions were granted for client.
Securities/Employment:
Represented national brokerage firm against claims brought by current financial advisor for breach of contract and various tort duties, alleging damages in excess of $5 million. After arbitration, client prevailed on all tort claims and majority of contract claims; claimant was awarded only de minimis damages. Beckmeyer v. Waddell & Reed, NASD Case No. 04-D1545.
Securities:
Represented national mutual fund in appeal of securities fraud case against entity that sold bonds to mutual fund. Successfully obtained reversal of trial court's grant of summary judgment. Waddell & Reed v. Dougherty & Co., 9th Cir. Case No. 04-35147 (155 Fed. Appx 968 (2005)). Case resolved after appeal.
Disability Discrimination:
Represented AIDS-diagnosed individual in housing discrimination case against assisted-living facility. Case settled successfully on the eve of trial. B.G. v. B.M.E. Enterprises, USDC Case No. CV 01-1564 BR.
Initiative Litigation:
Represented numerous electors in ballot title challenges to the Oregon Supreme Court. Large majority of cases have resulted in favorable opinions from the Court.
Employment:
Represented former university professor in appeal of trial court's dismissal of his employment discrimination case against private university. Obtained reversal from Oregon Court of Appeals, which subsequently led to successful resolution for client. Holmes v. Willamette University, CA A95864 (157 Or. App. 703, 971 P.2d 914).
- Stoll Berne; Of Counsel, 2001-2008; 2010-present
- Our Oregon; Counsel and Research Director, 2008-2010
- Steven C. Berman, attorney, Portland, Oregon; sole practitioner, 1999-2001
- Ball Janik LLP, Portland, Oregon; associate, 1997-1999
- Hon. Susan P. Graber, Oregon Supreme Court; judicial law clerk, 1994-1996
- Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1994
- Amherst College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1989
- Oregon State Bar, 1995
- United States District Court, Oregon
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
- Amicus Committee, 2002-2004
- New Lawyers' Committee, 2001-2002
- Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger, Board of Directors, 2002-2005
- WaterWatch of Oregon, Board of Directors, 2005-present
- Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Board of Directors, 2009-present