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Michael  Willes

Michael Willes

PARTNER

503.802.5737
michael.willes@tonkon.com
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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.
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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

The Best Lawyers in America

2021, Ones to Watch – Litigation – Securities
Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers

2017-2018, 2020, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation

Multnomah Bar Association

2016, Young Lawyers Section Rookie of the Year
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Recent News

12.8.2020

Tonkon Torp Litigators Share Expertise in Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation Publication

Tonkon Torp litigators have contributed their expertise to a new treatise on civil litigation practice, Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation.
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8.21.2020

Nine Rising Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included on 2021 “Ones to Watch” List

Nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing nine practice groups have been honored in Best Lawyers' inaugural Ones to Watch directory. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is a peer-review honor focused on acknowledging attorneys who have been in private practice…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Publications & Presentations


"Oregon State Courts: Overview and Rules," Chapter, Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation (2020 Edition), Oregon State Bar

"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
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Services

Contract & Commercial Disputes Corporate & Business Owner Disputes
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Education

J.D., Columbia Law School, 2010

B.A., Brigham Young University, 2005
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Bar & Court Admissions

Oregon State Bar
State Bar of California
Washington State Bar Association
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, Districts of Northern and Central California
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
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