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Overview
As Co-Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department, Anna has a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice including disputes between business owners, consumer protection matters, and complex tort cases. In her 15 years of practice, Anna has tried more than a dozen jury trials to verdict in state and federal court and has resolved dozens more short of trial, through motions practice or settlement. Anna also regularly counsels clients facing closely-held business disputes prior to litigation.
In addition to her litigation practice, Anna is an active member of the community. She currently serves on the board of directors of Oregon Humanities and previously sat on the boards of Emerge Oregon, Northwest Professional Dance Project, and Photolucida. She sits on the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Litigation Section. From 2019 to 2021, Anna served as a Commissioner on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Anna also regularly handles pro bono matters on behalf of clients in need.
In 2020, Anna was inducted as a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers, an honor society that maintains a worldwide membership of less than 750 trial lawyers deemed by their peers and judges to be “outstanding in the field of advocacy.” Anna is listed in Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Chambers USA. The Portland Business Journal named Anna as one of its 2017 Forty Under 40 award recipients, recognizing influential business and community leaders in the greater Portland area who are under 40 years old.
Prior to joining the firm, Anna was a law clerk for The Honorable Alfred T. Goodwin, on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
In addition to her litigation practice, Anna is an active member of the community. She currently serves on the board of directors of Oregon Humanities and previously sat on the boards of Emerge Oregon, Northwest Professional Dance Project, and Photolucida. She sits on the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Litigation Section. From 2019 to 2021, Anna served as a Commissioner on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Anna also regularly handles pro bono matters on behalf of clients in need.
In 2020, Anna was inducted as a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers, an honor society that maintains a worldwide membership of less than 750 trial lawyers deemed by their peers and judges to be “outstanding in the field of advocacy.” Anna is listed in Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Chambers USA. The Portland Business Journal named Anna as one of its 2017 Forty Under 40 award recipients, recognizing influential business and community leaders in the greater Portland area who are under 40 years old.
Prior to joining the firm, Anna was a law clerk for The Honorable Alfred T. Goodwin, on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
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Featured Representative Matters
Dissenter Rights
Favorably resolved a dispute over the value of a former executive's minority shares in the company following a squeeze-out merger.
Consumer Protection
Representing multiple national companies in consumer protection matters, including claims under the Oregon Unfair Trade Practices Act and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act claims.
Lead Trial Counsel
Serving as lead trial counsel in more than a dozen state and federal trials.
Environmental Contamination
Obtaining a defense verdict as trial counsel for a large public company following a seven-week jury trial relating to insurance coverage for liability for environmental contamination at three superfund sites, including the Portland Harbor, and over 1,200 asbestos claims.
Breach of Contract
Prevailing in a jury trial involving breach of contract and statutory claims brought on behalf of a financial company, securing a multi-million dollar judgment for her client.
Fair Credit Billing Act Appeal
Prevailing in an appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals involving Fair Credit Billing Act and Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act claims.
Criminal Fraud
Securing a large judgment on behalf of a group of investors in a fraud and breach of fiduciary duties case, leading to eventual federal criminal charges against the defendant.
Food and Beverage Fraud
Successfully defending a food-and-beverage business in a jury trial involving breach of contract and fraud claims, resulting in an award of attorney fees to her client.
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Featured Work
The Ramos Project
In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down non-unanimous jury convictions in criminal cases in Ramos v. Louisiana. A shameful carryover from the Jim Crow era, Louisiana and Oregon were the last two states that allowed non-unanimous criminal convictions when as many as two jurors believed a defendant was innocent. Overnight, more than 260 cases in Oregon became eligible to seek post-conviction relief for unconstitutional non-unanimous convictions. Housed in the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic (CJRC) at Lewis & Clark Law School, the Ramos Project is a statewide pro-bono initiative providing legal assistance to those seeking redress.
Tonkon Torp Guides Pacific Foods through Oregon’s Largest Acquisition of 2017
Tonkon Torp led Oregon's largest M&A transaction in 2017, the $700 million acquisition of Tualatin-based Pacific Foods of Oregon LLC by Campbell Investment Company. Pacific Foods is an iconic, nationally distributed organic food brand founded in 1987.
Tonkon Torp Wins Complicated Civil Trial for Con-way
In arguably one of the biggest and most complicated civil trials in Portland, Tonkon Torp secured a complete jury trial victory for Con-way, a $5.5 billion American multinational freight transportation company. Find details and more featured cases here.
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Community Involvement & Activities
Oregon Humanities
Board Member
Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Pro Bono Volunteer
Oregon State Bar Litigation Section
Executive Committee Member
Oregon State Bar Litigation Journal
Editorial Board
Photolucida
Advisory Board Member
OSB Committee on Federal Practice & Procedure
Past Chair of the Pro Bono Subcommittee
Member
Oregon Government Ethics Commission
2019-2021, Commissioner
Emerge Oregon
Past Board Member
Business for Culture and the Arts
Art of Leadership Program 2011
Northwest Dance Project
Past Board Member
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Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Gus J. Solomon Inn of Court
International Society of Barristers
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Oregon Women Lawyers
Gus J. Solomon Inn of Court
International Society of Barristers
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Oregon Women Lawyers
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Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America
2022, Commercial Litigation
2022, Litigation - Insurance
2022, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
2022, Litigation - Insurance
2022, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
International Society of Barristers
Fellow, 2020-Present
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers
2021, Litigation: General Commercial Law
Super Lawyers
2017-2021, Oregon Super Lawyer – Business Litigation
2013-2016, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
2013-2016, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
Portland Business Journal
2017, Forty Under 40
Daily Journal of Commerce
2012, "Up & Coming Lawyer" Portland, Oregon
Multnomah Bar Association
2007, Pro Bono Award of Merit
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Recent News
11.10.2021
Anna Sortun Shares Trial Expertise with MBA Young Lawyers Section
On October 28, Tonkon Torp partner Anna Sortun was a featured panelist for a program about closing arguments.
11.3.2021
Anna Sortun Offers Career Planning Insight at OSB Leadership Institute
On October 8, Tonkon Torp Partner Anna Sortun was a featured panelist during the Career Planning session of the Oregon State Bar Leadership Institute.
8.19.2021
Best Lawyers in America® Includes 53 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2022 List
Fifty-three Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 39 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022
7.12.2021
26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2021 Super Lawyers Lists
Twenty-six Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas have been included in the 2021 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
5.21.2021
Chambers USA 2021 Ranks 23 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 23 Tonkon Torp attorneys in seven practice areas in its Chambers USA 2021 guide.
2.26.2021
Anna Sortun Joins Oregon Humanities Board of Directors
Tonkon Torp litigation partner Anna Sortun has been elected to the Board of Directors of Oregon Humanities. Oregon Humanities was established in 1971 and works to connect Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities through…
2.18.2021
Anna Sortun Demystifies Depositions for MBA Young Lawyers Section
Tonkon Torp Partner Anna Sortun was a featured panelist at the February 11 Introduction to Depositions CLE offered by the Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section.
12.3.2020
Anna Sortun Appointed to Executive Committee of OSB Litigation Section
Tonkon Torp litigation Partner Anna Sortun has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar (OSB) Litigation Section. Her term begins January 1, 2021.
7.7.2020
26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2020 Super Lawyers Lists
Twenty-six Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas have been included in the 2020 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Tonkon Torp partner and bankruptcy authority Albert N. Kennedy has been once again recognized on the Top 50 list of…
4.30.2020
Anna Sortun and Ryan Bledsoe Admitted to International Society of Barristers
Tonkon Torp litigation partners Anna Sortun and Ryan Bledsoe have been admitted as Fellows to the International Society of Barristers. The organization is an honor society that maintains a worldwide membership of less than 750 trial lawyers deemed by…
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Publications & Presentations
Panelist, “Closing Arguments,” Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, October 2021
Panelist, “Career Exploration: Strategies for Success in Private Practice with Mid-to-Large-sized Firms,” Oregon State Bar Leadership Institute, October 2021
“Depositions,” Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, February 2021
"Appellate Considerations for Trial Counsel," Litigation Journal, Fall 2020
Moderator, “Tools to Survive the COVID-19 Economy: CARES Act SBA Loans, Employment Laws, and Corporate Issues,“ April 2020
"Closely Held Business Disputes from the Practitioner's Perspective," OSB Business Litigation Section, March 2019
"Best Practices in Crafting and Defending Buy-Sell Provisions," OSB Business Law Section, June 2018
"An Underused Defense Tool?: Special Motions to Strike," Litigation Journal, 2011
Co-Author, "Relevant Background Evidence" is Swallowing Rule: Applying FRE 404 in Discrimination Cases, Litigation Journal, 2006
"Rebutting the Parental Presumption in Oregon," 82 OR. L. Rev. 1191, 2003