Overview
As Co-Chair of the firm's Litigation Department, Paul has a wide-ranging trial practice, representing both individuals and businesses in contract and investment disputes, government investigations, and environmental matters. Paul also serves on the firm's Managing Board.
Before joining Tonkon Torp, Paul was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Susan P. Graber at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable R. William Riggs at the Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Court of Appeals.
Featured Representative Matters
Non-Competition & Confidentiality Restrictions
Agricultural Products
Illegal Homeless Camping
City of Lake Oswego
Electric Utility
Investment Fund
Billion Dollar Development Fees
Investment Company
Distribution Agreement
agreement.
Nutritional Supplements
Enron Corporation
Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Wins Appellate Victory in Lake Oswego Access Dispute
Tonkon Torp litigators won a remarkable victory at the Oregon Court of Appeals in the ongoing high-profile dispute regarding public access to Oswego Lake. Here are the details.
Tonkon Torp Harvests Victory for Oregon Radish Seed Farmers
Tonkon Torp represented 45 Northwest farmers in a dispute with an East Coast commercial bank over who should receive the proceeds from the sale of the farmers’ radish seed crop. Find details and more featured cases here.
Tonkon Torp Litigators Win Judgment on Lake Oswego Access Question
A prolonged, high-profile dispute about public access to Oswego Lake was resolved recently when Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Henry Breithaupt issued an opinion upholding the City of Lake Oswego’s right to control access to the lake from the City’s public park.
Balancing Free Speech and Presidential Security - Wilker Argues at the U.S. Supreme Court on First Amendment Issue
On March 26, 2014, Tonkon Torp litigator Steven Wilker argued at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU of Oregon in Wood v. Moss, a political viewpoint discrimination case. Find details and more featured cases here.
Who Decides Question of Lake Access?
Representing the City of Lake Oswego, Tonkon Torp trial lawyers Paul Conable and Steve Olson successfully obtained dismissal of a federal district court lawsuit challenging a City ordinance prohibiting access to Oswego Lake from city property. Oswego Lake has been maintained for decades by a nonprofit corporation of homeowners.
Oregon Jury Says Investors’ Interests Must Come First
When a registered investment advisor leaves an investment firm, the two parties often negotiate who retains the advisor’s clients and management of the associated investment assets. While such horse trading is a common industry practice, it clouds the issue of fiduciary duty owed to the investor. Who is responsible for acting in the client's best interests? What information must the investment firm share with the investor?
AAA Protects Oregon Consumers From Added Taxes
Oregon is one of the few states that uses a weight-mile tax rather than a diesel fuel tax on heavy trucking to help support and maintain its 86,000 miles of paved road. When trucking interests tried to shift the tax burden to everyday drivers, AAA Oregon/Idaho turned to Tonkon Torp to help in the fight.
Defending a Former Director in Enron Fallout
Enron's $63 billion bankruptcy in 2001 sent shockwaves through the financial community, triggering the collapse of one of the world's largest accounting firms and setting in motion corporate governance changes that would alter the face of corporate America.
Community Involvement & Activities
Pioneer Courthouse Historical Society
Board of Directors
Legal Aid Domestic Violence Project
Volunteer Attorney
Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Military Assistance Panel
Volunteer Attorney
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Past Chair, Commercial section
U.S. District Court
2009–2012, Judicial Selection Committee
Oregon State Bar
Past Chair, Business Litigation Section
Awards & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America
2011–2018, Litigation: Environmental
2011–2018, Litigation: Securities
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Recent News
Chambers USA Names 20 Tonkon Torp Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field
Best Lawyers in America® Names 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2018 List
28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2017 Super Lawyers Lists
18 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Named Leaders in Their Field by Peers and Clients
Best Lawyers in America® Names 44 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2017 List
28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2016 Super Lawyers Lists
Homeless Camping Addressed in Lawsuit Filed Against Portland
Paul Conable Leads CLE on Expert Depositions
18 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Are Named Leaders in Their Field by Peers and Clients
45 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America® 2016
Portland's Parks-Fee Blowout Brings Expected Lawsuit
2015 Super Lawyers Honors 23 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Conable Offers Perspective on Commercial Litigation
Best Lawyers in America® 2015 Names 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to Prestigious List
2014 Super Lawyers Honors 23 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
ACLU of Oregon Honors 5 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Steven Wilker Prepares to Argue at U.S. Supreme Court on First Amendment Issue
Steve Olson & Paul Conable Quoted Regarding the City of Lake Oswego Access Dismissal
Tonkon Attorneys Present Ethics CLE for Oregon State Bar
Tonkon Participates in Classroom Law Project Golf Tournament
Publications & Presentations
“Effective Strategies for Expert Depositions,” Multnomah Bar Association, April 2016
"Real Life Ethics Issues in Business Deals and Litigation," OSB Business Litigation Section, November 2013
"Registered Investment Advisors Update," 33rd Annual Northwest Securities Institute, Portland, OR, May 2013
"California Cap and Trade Program Likely to Face Legal Challenges," Daily Journal of Commerce, January 2012
"Surviving Winter: The Ninth Circuit Reaffirms the 'Serious Questions' Test for Injunctive Relief," Litigation Journal 2011
"Federal Civil Litigation in Oregon," Injunctions and Other Forms of Relief, Oregon State Bar 2009