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Overview
Michael is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department. He has represented companies in a broad range of business matters, including contract disputes, securities litigation, and class actions. In addition to civil litigation, Michael has assisted clients with regulatory issues and criminal investigations.
Before joining Tonkon Torp, Michael practiced in the Litigation Department at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for four years. He earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Alexander Hamilton Fellow, and Managing Editor of the Columbia Business Law Review. While a law student, he held an externship with Judge Michael W. Mosman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
Michael worked as an analyst at economics consulting firm Analysis Group, Inc., before attending law school. There he performed financial and statistical analyses in support of expert witnesses, whose reports and testimony were used at trial. While earning his undergraduate degree in economics and Spanish, Michael interned at the U.S. embassy’s economics section in Madrid.
Michael is a native Oregonian, raised in Corvallis. He is thrilled to be back in Portland where he can explore the trails that traverse the city with his family.
Before joining Tonkon Torp, Michael practiced in the Litigation Department at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for four years. He earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Alexander Hamilton Fellow, and Managing Editor of the Columbia Business Law Review. While a law student, he held an externship with Judge Michael W. Mosman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
Michael worked as an analyst at economics consulting firm Analysis Group, Inc., before attending law school. There he performed financial and statistical analyses in support of expert witnesses, whose reports and testimony were used at trial. While earning his undergraduate degree in economics and Spanish, Michael interned at the U.S. embassy’s economics section in Madrid.
Michael is a native Oregonian, raised in Corvallis. He is thrilled to be back in Portland where he can explore the trails that traverse the city with his family.
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Featured Work
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Community Involvement & Activities
Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation
Board Member
Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
Member, Board of Directors
Past Co-Chair, CLE Committee
Oregon State Bar House of Delegates
Region 5, Delegate
Portland Workforce Alliance
Board Member
Campaign for Equal Justice
Past Member, Associates Committee
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Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
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Awards & Recognition
Super Lawyers
2017-2018, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
Multnomah Bar Association
2016, Young Lawyers Section Rookie of the Year
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Recent News
1.10.2019
Tonkon Torp Names Michael Willes Partner
Tonkon Torp LLP has elected Michael Willes to the partnership, effective January 1, 2019. Willes joined the firm’s Litigation Department in 2014 as an associate. He represents companies in a broad range of business matters, including contract…
12.6.2018
Stare Decisis at the Oregon Supreme Court
Tonkon Torp litigator Michael Willes authored an article inspired by the recent decision in Horton v. Oregon Health and Sciences University for the Fall 2018 issue of the Oregon State Bar Litigation Journal.
9.26.2018
Tonkon Torp Sponsors Virginia Garcia ¡Prospera! Event
Tonkon Torp was a sponsor at the September 15 ¡Prospera! event put on by the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation. Michael Willes, a member of the Foundation's board of directors, organized Tonkon's sponsorship and attended along with his wife. The…
7.24.2018
31 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2018 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-one Tonkon Torp attorneys in 11 practice areas have been included in the 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Tonkon Torp partner and bankruptcy authority Albert Kennedy has been once again recognized on the Top 50 list of Oregon…
10.9.2017
Tonkon Torp Sponsors ¡Prospera! Fundraiser
Tonkon Torp was an ally level sponsor at the October 7 ¡Prospera! fundraiser, benefiting the patients and programs of Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Tonkon's involvement was managed by Michael Willes, who is a member of the Virginia Garcia…
7.11.2017
28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2017 Super Lawyers Lists
The national attorney rating service Super Lawyers has named 28 Tonkon Torp attorneys in 10 practice areas to its 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists for Oregon. The annual Super Lawyers list represents the top 5 percent of attorneys in Oregon…
5.24.2017
Michael Willes Joins Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation Board
Tonkon Torp attorney Michael Willes has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation Board. The Foundation provides fundraising and community relations support so the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center can…
4.3.2017
Tonkon Torp Sponsors Trivia for Justice Event
On March 30, Tonkon Torp sponsored the Trivia for Justice event put on at Kells Irish Pub by the Campaign for Equal Justice (CEJ) and the Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyer Section. Michael Willes and Stephanie Grant led Tonkon's involvement with…
3.15.2017
Tonkon Torp Sponsors NW Youth Careers Expo
Tonkon Torp was a breakfast sponsor at the Portland Workforce Alliance's 13th Annual NW Youth Careers Expo on March 14. Michael Willes led Tonkon's involvement with the event. Thousands of students from the northwest attend the annual expo
2.21.2017
Tonkon Torp Receives Honors at CEJ Awards Luncheon
On February 21, Tonkon Torp was honored with the "Large Firm Award," and as a "Defender of Justice" at the annual Awards Luncheon held by the Campaign for Equal Justice (CEJ). The Large Firm Award is in recognition of Tonkon Torp's consistently high…
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Publications & Presentations
"Stare Decisis at the Oregon Supreme Court," Litigation Journal, Fall 2018
"Waivers – What Am I Waiving?" Fall Board and Educational Conference, NALS of Oregon, September 2016
"Contracts 101 for Startups," February 2016
"A Foil for Fazzolari: Recent Negligence Case Law Weakens Duty Limitations," Oregon Law Review, February 2016
"Caveat Venditor: The Consequences of Bagley v. Mt Bachelor, Inc. for Negligence Releases and Other Contract Provisions," Litigation Journal, Summer 2015
"Recent Case Notes – Forum Non Conveniens," The Verdict, Issue 1, 2015