Corporate/M&A: Oregon

THE FIRM Given this firm's international network, it is perhaps no surprise that the 14-strong corporate team in Portland is involved in more national and international work than many other corporate groups in town. As a recent example, the team recently advised its client austriamicrosystems AG on its acquisition of capital stock of Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions. The team engages in the full range of M&A and corporate governance work, and has a strong pedigree in transactions between public companies.

Sources say: "Definitely top tier." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Roy Tucker acts mainly for large, regional private companies, later stage venture-financed companies, public companies and private equity funds, as well as for emerging companies. He recently represented Endeavour Capital in acquisition of Nor-Cal Products.

Brentley Bullock is very active in deals involving emerging companies and venture investment, with a particular emphasis on the technology sector. Sources find he is "always a pleasure to work with." 

David Matheson is renowned for his experience and knowledge of capital markets and public companies. Clients consider him to be "an excellent adviser to the board and to management." He recently acted as lead counsel to Seaspan Corporation in the formation of a joint venture with The Carlyle Group and a subsequent public stock offering.

John Thomas works on M&A and corporate governance as well as securities offerings and securities compliance. He was lead counsel for Trimble Navigation Limited in its $17.5 million acquisition of Novariant's Terralite business.

Patrick Simpson brings his decades of experience in all types of corporate and M&A activity, and is duly considered "an incredible resource on tricky questions."

THE FIRM This venerable Oregon heavyweight has one of the most accomplished and highly regarded corporate/M&A practices in the state, if not the entire Pacific Northwest. The team has experience in almost all industries, and lost no time in performing pioneering work in the renewable energy sector. Recent highlights include representing Agilyx Corporation in a $22 million preferred stock financing and handling and IPO on behalf of ESCO Corporation.

Sources say: "What strikes me about them is their depth - lots of specialties in that office and the experience to go with it."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Todd Bauman's principal focus is on emerging businesses in the Portland market, typically venture capital-backed technology companies; he led on the Agilyx representation mentioned above. Commentators consider him "excellent - one of the best in town."

Ruth Beyer enjoys a strong following among blue-chip, locally-headquartered companies, including Precision Castparts, which she recently assisted in its $900 million acquisition of Primus International.

Robert Moorman heads the firm's public securities practice, and "comes readily to mind" as one of the state's top securities, M&A and corporate governance experts. He led on ESCO Corporation's IPO.

Margaret Kushner is well thought of as a skilled all-rounder in business and corporate law, and is also noted for her skill in matters concerning partnerships and joint ventures. Clients are impressed by her insights, with one commenting: "She often knows what we want to do before we've discussed it." 

Margaret Hill Noto is a go-to for matters regarding securities and the issues faced by public companies. Executive compensation plans and their reporting under the Securities Exchange Act are a particular specialty. She worked with Moorman on ESCO Corporation's IPO.

Stuart Chestler has expertise in corporate governance, insider trading and reporting, and executive compensation. 

Like many of the leading lawyers on the team, Steven Hull is sought for his knowledge of public company M&A and financing matters. He recently advised Electro Scientific Industries on its acquisition of the assets of Montreal-based laser manufacturer PyroPhotonics Lasers.

Mark Norby performs financing and transactional work for clients, many of which are leading entities in the timberland and forest products sector. Sources say he is "experienced with an imaginative head on his shoulders." He recently represented Roseburg Forest Products in relation to its $295 million debt offering.

Henry Hewitt enjoys a broad practice which takes in public company matters, corporate governance, M&A and high-level strategic advice. He is described as "knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with."

THE FIRM Lane Powell's presence in Oregon continues to grow - thanks in no small measure to its merger with Roberts Kaplan in early 2011. The firm's 18-lawyer corporate team in Portland handles a wide range of M&A, corporate governance and securities matters, while also offering a niche in aviation transactions and finance. Clients include Nordstrom, Wells Fargo and Lithia Motors. The team recently advised Lithia on its purchase of the Rasmussen BMW/Mini (Portland) and Mercedes Benz (Portland and Wilsonville) auto dealerships.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Wolfstone cochairs the firm's business practice. A recent highlight was his representation of Abcam in its $6 million acquisition of MitoSciences.

Benjamin Lenhart handles all manner of corporate transactions, financing and governance issues, with a specialty in secured loan transactions and workouts.

THE FIRM This Portland stalwart has a talented and experienced group of corporate lawyers offering expertise in all areas of business activity. It represents a range of public and private companies, financial institutions and venture capital formations, and can count the likes of Nike and The Greenbrier Companies among its clients. Recent work includes representing Greenbrier as Oregon counsel in its offering of three million shares of common stock.

Sources say: "We have always been impressed by them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sherrill Corbett is "highly esteemed in the community" for her work in advising businesses on M&A and securities transactions, corporate governance and joint venture formation. She led on the Greenbrier stock offering.

Ronald Greenman is a respected general corporate attorney with a strong client following. In addition to M&A, he is also expert in matters relating to governance, finance and private equity.

Thomas Palmer's practice covers the gamut of transactional and advisory business law, and extends to SEC disclosure and reporting.

Having experience as a chief financial officer, clients find that Kurt Ruttum "completely understands our issues from a business standpoint." Areas of specialization include financing, private equity and securities. 

Kenneth Stephens is a seasoned and admired practitioner, principally known for his knowledge of financial institutions and public and private financings.

THE FIRM This firm's Portland business group handles all manner of transactions and advises on corporate governance, securities offerings and investment fund formation. The team is also well known for its presence in the emerging companies space - particularly in the high-tech sector - and for its representation of closely-held businesses.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Brenda Meltebeke devotes much of her practice to guiding technology startups and emerging companies through the early stages of formation and consolidation.

Gregory Struxness is recommended for his expert advice on securities compliance - he formerly worked as a lawyer for the SEC - and the issues faced by public companies.

THE FIRM The team at Davis Wright's Portland office is notable for having many among lawyers who previously worked in-house in the private sector, making it especially well placed to counsel its clients on all matters corporate. The firm has particularly strong followings in the biotechnology, healthcare, hospitality and leisure, and manufacturing sectors.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Phillips is best known for his work with small and emerging companies in the Pacific Northwest. He is described by sources as being a "good, practical, confident lawyer."

Jesse Lyon is noted for his experience in the wine, food and agribusiness industries, although he has recently been active in joint ventures within the wind energy space.

THE FIRM Miller Nash's corporate and business team pools its talents to work in a highly effective and cost-efficient manner for clients from a range of sectors and industries. It is able to provide quality counsel in relation to corporate transactions, venture capital, corporate governance, tax structuring and securities disclosure and compliance.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients are taken with Mary Ann Frantz's "very impressive legal knowledge and advice." She works primarily with publicly traded companies, counseling them on SEC compliance and filing, corporate governance and M&A.

Erich Merrill concentrates mainly on advising private companies on formation, financing, strategy and transactions. Many of his clients are in the biotechnology and food industries.

THE FIRM This leading Pacific Northwest firm has a strong presence in Oregon's corporate law market, with over 20 lawyers devoting all or part of their time to this space. The team serves clients operating throughout the state's industrial landscape, with forest products, chemicals, healthcare and manufacturing among its more prominent areas of activity.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Carmen Calzacorta represents clients in the forest product and manufacturing industries, such as Benchmade Knives, Columbia Forest Products and Pacific Power Products Company.