As the firm’s former co-managing shareholder for over 20 years, Keith has been instrumental in the growth of the firm. Keith is an experienced trial lawyer who represents institutional investors, government entities, and individuals in complex real estate litigation, securities class actions, and other large-scale litigation. Keith brings a unique perspective to his cases in that he represents victims of financial fraud and, in other instances, defends select clients who face allegations of financial or securities fraud. Consequently, his practice provides him a particularly useful perspective that is helpful in counseling clients as to the merits and risks of their specific cases.

His representation as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oregon has involved individual securities fraud cases as well as class cases, including against Marsh, BNY Mellon, JP Morgan and Oppenheimer. Keith just completed, as lead class counsel, a securities fraud class action lawsuit against Deloitte, TD Ameritrade and 4 other law firms and professional firms. The $235 million settlement is the largest securities recovery in Oregon history and was recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a Case of the Year for 2019.

He is currently serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oregon in litigation against Monsanto for damages to the state’s public trust resources from PCB contamination, the City of Seattle, and two other states in PCB litigation against Monsanto. Keith is also currently representing victims of the Oregon 2020 wildfires against PacificCorp and Pacific Power.

Keith’s clients value his counsel for his unique ability to envision and structure creative resolutions to complicated legal matters, particularly in multi-party litigation. Keith’s intuition and warm personality make him especially effective as an advocate in the federal and state courthouses where he regularly appears.

University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with Distinction, 1987
Journal of Corporation Law, Note & Comment Editor

Western Michigan University, B.B.A., 1984

Oregon State Bar, 1991

U.S. District Court, Oregon

Stoll Berne
Shareholder, 1996-present
Managing Shareholder, 2001-2022
Associate, 1991-1995

Vinson & Elkins LLP (Houston, Texas)
Associate, 1987-1991

Oregon State Bar
Securities Regulation Section Committee Member, 2016-present

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Board of Directors, 1999-2001
Business Litigation Section Chair, 1993 and 1996-1997

Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust
Board of Directors, 2016-present

Multnomah Athletic Foundation
Board of Directors, 2016-present

Cycle Oregon
Board of Directors, 2010-2014
Vice President, 2012

Stand for Children
Oregon Advisory Board & Political Action Committee, 2006-2011

Lake Oswego Soccer Club
Board Member, 2004-2010

Lake Oswego School Foundation
Board Member, 2005

Campaign for Equal Justice
Advisory Board, 2006-present
Board Member, 2003-2005

Community Transitional School
Board Member, 1999-2001

Youth Soccer Coach

Practice Areas

Antitrust Litigation

We represent United States and international companies and consumers in all aspects of antitrust litigation, including, price-fixing, customer allocation, market division, price discrimination, and unfair or deceptive trade practices.

Business Litigation

From everyday contract disputes to bet-the-company litigation, our litigation team works to understand each party's priorities and to create a solution that best serves you.

Business Organizations & Transactions

We act as general and special counsel to businesses engaged in a wide variety of industries, including real estate, finance, securities, technology, sports apparel, agriculture, and health care.

Class Actions

As Oregon's leading plaintiffs'-side class actions firm, we help our clients to level the playing field and find justice. We have earned our reputation and work hard for our clients.

Elections & Government Law

We provide advice and counsel to political campaigns, candidates, and individuals involved in state and local political or governmental processes.

Environmental

We have experience litigating environmental issues including mass environmental torts, consumer products contamination, and state and federal natural resource damage recovery.

Intellectual Property Litigation

We represent parties in patent, trade secret, trademark, copyright, false advertising, unfair competition, defamation, medical research practice, and related intellectual property matters.

Internal Investigations

We specialize in complex independent investigations of public bodies and private companies. Our deep experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants enables us to approach investigations without bias.

Lawyer, Accountant & Professional Malpractice

We represent clients in disputes with attorneys, accountants, auditors, insurance brokers, stock brokers, real estate professionals, and many other professionals.

Securities Compliance & Defense

We represent a number of select national, regional, and local securities broker-dealers and brokers in disputes with customers, with other broker-dealers, and before regulators.

Securities Litigation

Stoll Berne is Oregon's premier securities litigation firm. We have represented as many or more investors in securities and financial advisor fraud cases than any other firm in Oregon and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.

Wildfire Litigation

Our attorneys are here to advocate on your behalf and hold those responsible who cause or contribute to wildfires. We have years of experience advocating on behalf of fire victims, survivors, and their families in Oregon and other states.

Representative Cases

OPERF vs. Marsh

In a securities fraud lawsuit alleging that the defendant misrepresented key information about its services and finances, a team of Stoll Berne attorneys represented the lead plaintiff State of Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund.

Multinational Steel and Trading Company Representation

Over the course of ten years, Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a multinational steel and trading company and its principal in litigation across the globe.

Mutual Fund Securities Fraud

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman successfully prosecuted a securities fraud case for a Waddell & Reed mutual fund.

Oregon’s Eviction Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s eviction ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating wildfires, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent.

Oregon’s Foreclosure Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s foreclosure ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented lenders from foreclosing on borrowers or charging fees to borrowers for late payments.

Defense of Pacific Continental Bank Class Action

Keith Ketterling and Tim DeJong defended Pacific Continental Bank in an Oregon class action on behalf of shareholders of the Berjac companies.

Defense of Broker-Dealer in Noncompete and Nonsolicitation Actions

Keith Ketterling has represented a national broker-dealer in numerous actions against former brokers acting in violation of noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements.

Real Estate Developer Contract Dispute

The firm represented a leading Pacific Northwest real estate management, development, and investment firm in an action to enforce its contract rights against a co-owner/operator who had breached its operations and management obligations.

Compli vs. Snapflow

Keith Ketterling and Josh Ross represented a software developer in a contract dispute with a “platform as a service” provider over the failure to provide services as promised, resulting in delayed development of a critical software package.

Innovative Sports vs. Columbia Sportswear Company

The firm successfully defended Columbia Sportswear against trade secrets claims relating to heated jackets.

Representation of Surety in Letter of Credit Dispute

Stoll Berne represented a surety who had provided a standby letter of credit in connection with the construction of railcars for the TriMet WES commuter rail service in an action to discharge the surety’s obligation as a result of material changes to the underlying production agreement.

Regional Bank and Broker-Dealer Securities Fraud

Keith Ketterling sued a regional bank and broker-dealer for securities fraud on behalf of a group of individual investors who were targeted by defendants for the sale of speculative, illiquid investments in spite of plaintiffs' lack of sophistication and limited investment horizons.

Sinking Building Case

Keith Ketterling obtained a $3.9 million judgment against a foundation subcontractor in a "sinking building" case.

Breach of Contract and Specific Performance Action

In an action for breach of contract and specific performance for right to purchase property on Mt. Hood, Keith Ketterling obtained complete relief and damages for the client, a property development company, following arbitration.

Multinational Steel and Trading Company Representation

Over the course of ten years, Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a multinational steel and trading company and its principal in litigation across the globe.

Energy Contract Disputes

Rob Shlachter and Keith Ketterling represented a major California utility company in challenging a $250 million long-term energy contract, and represented solar energy companies in disputes with PGE.

Major Insurance Company Property Development Branch Representation

Keith Ketterling represented the property development branch of a major insurance company in contract litigation involving the $25 million purchase of moorages on the Columbia River.

Defense of Law Firm in Oregon Securities Class Action

Stoll Berne attorneys Tim DeJong, Keith Ketterling and Lydia Anderson-Dana represented a prominent Northwest law firm in the defense of a purported class action seeking to recover against the law firm for securities sold by its former client. The case presents novel issues concerning securities sold for a decade after the attorney-client relationship ended.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against PacifiCorp and Pacific Power for Recent Oregon Fires

n September 30, 2020, Keller Rohrback L.L.P., Stoll Berne, and Nick Kahl, LLC, three Pacific Northwest law firms with decades of combined environmental law experience, filed a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp and Pacific Power for the catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and entire communities allegedly caused by the companies’ power lines and other equipment around Labor Day 2020.

Aequitas Securities Litigation

Stoll Berne is co-lead counsel what is believed to be the largest settlement of a securities case in Oregon history in representing the investors in the case arising out of the Aequitas Ponzi scheme, asserting claims against Aequitas' auditors, lawyers, and others for participant/aider liability under the Oregon Securities Law.

Bank of New York Mellon Securities Class Action

Keith Ketterling and Keith Dubanevich obtained a $180 million settlement on behalf of Bank of New York Mellon investors in a lawsuit alleging that the bank operated a deceptive foreign currency exchange program.

In re JPMorgan Chase & Co. Securities Litigation

A team of Stoll Berne attorneys served as Special Assistant Attorneys General to the State of Oregon in its role as co-lead plaintiff in a securities fraud class action lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase.

BP Unpaid Dividends Suit Following Deepwater Horizon Disaster

A team of Stoll Berne attorneys represented the named plaintiff in a multidistrict litigation class action against BP p.l.c., seeking to collect on behalf of U.S. investors the dividends that BP declared, but never paid, following the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Maui Fire Assistance

Welcome to Stoll Berne, where empathy and unwavering support guide our mission. We understand the profound pain and devastation that wildfires on Maui have brought upon families, businesses, and communities. Our law firm is dedicated to standing by your side, providing solace, and pursuing justice for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in these tragic events.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against PacifiCorp and Pacific Power for Recent Oregon Fires

n September 30, 2020, Keller Rohrback L.L.P., Stoll Berne, and Nick Kahl, LLC, three Pacific Northwest law firms with decades of combined environmental law experience, filed a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp and Pacific Power for the catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and entire communities allegedly caused by the companies’ power lines and other equipment around Labor Day 2020.

Oregon’s Eviction Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s eviction ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating wildfires, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent.

Oregon’s Foreclosure Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s foreclosure ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented lenders from foreclosing on borrowers or charging fees to borrowers for late payments.

Natural Resource Damage and Environmental Contamination

As Special Assistant Attorneys General for the State of Oregon, Stoll Berne, along with co-counsel Keller Rohrback, worked with Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and attorneys from the Oregon Department of Justice on claims against Monsanto seeking recovery for damage caused to Oregon’s wildlife and environment by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Energy Contract Disputes

Rob Shlachter and Keith Ketterling represented a major California utility company in challenging a $250 million long-term energy contract, and represented solar energy companies in disputes with PGE.

Innovative Sports vs. Columbia Sportswear Company

The firm successfully defended Columbia Sportswear against trade secrets claims relating to heated jackets.

Barrett Business Services (BBSI)

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling, and Tim DeJong were retained by BBSI to investigate potential accounting irregularities.

Aequitas Securities Litigation

Stoll Berne is co-lead counsel what is believed to be the largest settlement of a securities case in Oregon history in representing the investors in the case arising out of the Aequitas Ponzi scheme, asserting claims against Aequitas' auditors, lawyers, and others for participant/aider liability under the Oregon Securities Law.

Bank of New York Mellon Securities Class Action

Keith Ketterling and Keith Dubanevich obtained a $180 million settlement on behalf of Bank of New York Mellon investors in a lawsuit alleging that the bank operated a deceptive foreign currency exchange program.

Regional Bank and Broker-Dealer Securities Fraud

Keith Ketterling sued a regional bank and broker-dealer for securities fraud on behalf of a group of individual investors who were targeted by defendants for the sale of speculative, illiquid investments in spite of plaintiffs' lack of sophistication and limited investment horizons.

Real Estate Investment Company Litigation and Compliance

Keith Ketterling currently represents two prominent real estate investment companies in the Pacific Northwest.

Real Estate Developer Contract Dispute

The firm represented a leading Pacific Northwest real estate management, development, and investment firm in an action to enforce its contract rights against a co-owner/operator who had breached its operations and management obligations.

Sinking Building Case

Keith Ketterling obtained a $3.9 million judgment against a foundation subcontractor in a "sinking building" case.

Breach of Contract and Specific Performance Action

In an action for breach of contract and specific performance for right to purchase property on Mt. Hood, Keith Ketterling obtained complete relief and damages for the client, a property development company, following arbitration.

Major Insurance Company Property Development Branch Representation

Keith Ketterling represented the property development branch of a major insurance company in contract litigation involving the $25 million purchase of moorages on the Columbia River.

Defense of Broker-Dealer

Keith Ketterling represented a regional broker-dealer in defending securities fraud claims by investors that exceeded $20 million.

Real Estate Investment Company Litigation and Compliance

Keith Ketterling currently represents two prominent real estate investment companies in the Pacific Northwest.

Defense of Broker-Dealer in Noncompete and Nonsolicitation Actions

Keith Ketterling has represented a national broker-dealer in numerous actions against former brokers acting in violation of noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements.

Representation of Broker in Disciplinary Administrative Proceeding Involving FINRA

Keith Kettering represented a broker in a significant disciplinary administrative proceeding in FINRA in which the regulators sought a full suspension for nearly one year against the client.

Defense of Underwriters in Securities Class Actions

Keith Ketterling has represented, on numerous occasions, select clients sued as underwriters in securities class actions.

Defense of Registered Investment Advisor

Keith Ketterling defended a registered investment advisor in arbitration against claims by a former customer seeking $3 million.

Intentional Interference Claims

Keith Ketterling represented a national broker-dealer in defending against contract and intentional interference claims by a broker seeking $18 million in damages.

Pre-Litigation Resolution on Behalf of Broker-Dealer

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a regional broker-dealer in pre-litigation resolution of claims arising out of the broker-dealer’s agent's sales of securities.

Defense of Broker-Dealer re Investor’s Allegations

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling defended a broker-dealer against an investor's allegations that improper investments had been made given his investor risk profile and that his account had been churned.

Defense of Law Firm in Oregon Securities Class Action

Stoll Berne attorneys Tim DeJong, Keith Ketterling and Lydia Anderson-Dana represented a prominent Northwest law firm in the defense of a purported class action seeking to recover against the law firm for securities sold by its former client. The case presents novel issues concerning securities sold for a decade after the attorney-client relationship ended.

Aequitas Securities Litigation

Stoll Berne is co-lead counsel what is believed to be the largest settlement of a securities case in Oregon history in representing the investors in the case arising out of the Aequitas Ponzi scheme, asserting claims against Aequitas' auditors, lawyers, and others for participant/aider liability under the Oregon Securities Law.

Bank of New York Mellon Securities Class Action

Keith Ketterling and Keith Dubanevich obtained a $180 million settlement on behalf of Bank of New York Mellon investors in a lawsuit alleging that the bank operated a deceptive foreign currency exchange program.

In re JPMorgan Chase & Co. Securities Litigation

A team of Stoll Berne attorneys served as Special Assistant Attorneys General to the State of Oregon in its role as co-lead plaintiff in a securities fraud class action lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase.

Defense of Pacific Continental Bank Class Action

Keith Ketterling and Tim DeJong defended Pacific Continental Bank in an Oregon class action on behalf of shareholders of the Berjac companies.

OPERF vs. Marsh

In a securities fraud lawsuit alleging that the defendant misrepresented key information about its services and finances, a team of Stoll Berne attorneys represented the lead plaintiff State of Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund.

BP Unpaid Dividends Suit Following Deepwater Horizon Disaster

A team of Stoll Berne attorneys represented the named plaintiff in a multidistrict litigation class action against BP p.l.c., seeking to collect on behalf of U.S. investors the dividends that BP declared, but never paid, following the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Intentional Interference Claims

Keith Ketterling represented a national broker-dealer in defending against contract and intentional interference claims by a broker seeking $18 million in damages.

Representation of Surety in Letter of Credit Dispute

Stoll Berne represented a surety who had provided a standby letter of credit in connection with the construction of railcars for the TriMet WES commuter rail service in an action to discharge the surety’s obligation as a result of material changes to the underlying production agreement.

Regional Bank and Broker-Dealer Securities Fraud

Keith Ketterling sued a regional bank and broker-dealer for securities fraud on behalf of a group of individual investors who were targeted by defendants for the sale of speculative, illiquid investments in spite of plaintiffs' lack of sophistication and limited investment horizons.

Oppenheimer Funds Securities Action

Acting as Special Assistant Attorneys General to the State of Oregon, Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling, Keith Dubanevich and Jen Wagner obtained a $20 million settlement on behalf of the Oregon College Savings Plan in a lawsuit against Oppenheimer Funds.

Multinational Steel and Trading Company Representation

Over the course of ten years, Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a multinational steel and trading company and its principal in litigation across the globe.

Mutual Fund Securities Fraud

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman successfully prosecuted a securities fraud case for a Waddell & Reed mutual fund.

Articles

October 2012 – “Any Athlete Will Tell You That Injuries Happen,” Multnomah Lawyer

Keith Ketterling’s third knee injury and ACL replacement ended his ability to play soccer but put him on a path to becoming a passionate enthusiast about bicycling.

September 26, 2008 – “Avoiding the Pitfalls of ESI Spoliation,” Oregon Law Institute

Due to its format, electronically stored information (“ESI”) is especially vulnerable to deletion, modification or corruption and parties and counsel must take extra precautions to preserve this type of evidence.  Keith […]

May 2007 – “Rainmakers 2007 – Thinking It Forward,” Commerce Magazine

Do what you like, like what you do – the philosophy is woven throughout lawyer Keith Ketterling’s world, from the clients he takes on to his volunteer activities to how […]

April 11, 2007 – “Unwanted Affections – Reg D & Real Estate,” Keith Ketterling

Unwanted Affections – Reg D & Real Estate: Why the SEC and NASD Care Deeply About Your Clients’ Real Estate Offerings – presentation by Keith A. Ketterling.

July 22, 2005 – “Best of the Bar – Keith Ketterling,” Portland Business Journal

Read the full profile of Keith A. Ketterling as printed in The Portland Business Journal here.

July 12, 2002 – “Executive Profile: Keith Ketterling,” Portland Business Journal

Read the full profile of Keith A. Ketterling as printed in The Portland Business Journal here.

News

Stoll Berne and Eight Lawyers Recognized in 2023 Chambers USA Guide

Stoll Berne, once again, has been recognized by Chambers USA in the 2023 Oregon guide in both Litigation: General Commercial and Real Estate.

Stoll Berne Attorneys Rank in The Best Lawyers in America 2024

Stoll Berne is excited to announce that fifteen of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2024® in 18 different categories.

Oregon Super Lawyers 2023 Recognizes Stoll Berne Lawyers

Ten individual Stoll Berne attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in their 2023 Oregon Super Lawyers edition.

State of Oregon Files PFAS Contamination Lawsuit

The State of Oregon, by and through Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, filed a lawsuit on May 31, 2023, for injuries to the State of Oregon’s lands, waters, wildlife, and other natural resources; property; residents; and consumers against nearly two dozen defendants for the use of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foam.

Nearly $700 Million Settlement Reached by State of Oregon in Monsanto PCB Contamination Lawsuit

Stoll Berne, as Special Assistant Attorney General to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and the Oregon Department of Justice, along with its partners at Seattle’s Keller Rohrback, are pleased to announce the settlement of State of Oregon v Monsanto for the amount of $698,000,000 ($698 Million).

Ten Stoll Berne Attorneys Listed in the 2023 Edition of Benchmark Litigation

Stoll Berne, along with 10 individual attorneys, were recently selected to be included in the 2023 edition of Benchmark Litigation, a definitive source for America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys.

Stoll Berne Files Breach of Contract Class Action Lawsuit Against NuScale Power

Stoll Berne, led by attorneys Tim DeJong, Keith Ketterling, and Lydia Anderson-Dana, recently filed a proposed $100 million breach of contract class action lawsuit against NuScale Power LLC and other entities in the United States District Court, District of Oregon.

Fifteen Stoll Berne Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

Stoll Berne is excited to announce that fifteen of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2023©.

Oregon Super Lawyers 2022 Recognizes Stoll Berne Lawyers

Thirteen individual Stoll Berne attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in their 2022 Oregon Super Lawyers edition.

Stoll Berne and Eight Lawyers Recognized in 2022 Chambers USA Guide

Stoll Berne, once again, has been recognized by Chambers USA in the 2022 Oregon guide in both Litigation: General Commercial and Real Estate.

See All News
Awards

Benchmark Litigation
2015-2024

Chambers USA
2017-2023

Commerce Magazine
Rainmaker Finalist
Mentor of the Year

Martindale Hubble
AV* Rated

Oregon Super Lawyers
2006-2023

The Best Lawyers in America®
2008-2024
Lawyer of the Year, Portland: Litigation – Securities, 2021

The Portland Business Journal
Best of the Bar Award – Business Litigation

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