Overview
Representative Work
Activities & Membership
Awards & Recognition
News & Publications
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Overview
Ryan Bledsoe is a results-driven litigation attorney who represents individuals and companies of all sizes. Bledsoe focuses on understanding your dispute, legal rights, and goals as early as possible in the litigation process. With a full understanding, Bledsoe tenaciously pursues a resolution that is favorable to you or your company. Bledsoe enjoys his job most when he is in the courtroom, but he is determined to get you the best result attainable as cost-effectively as possible. Bledsoe's experience includes handling numerous cases in both federal and state courts involving a broad range of issues including shareholder oppression, trusts and estates, antitrust, securities, breach of fiduciary duties, and contract law.
Prior to entering law school, Bledsoe worked as a financial analyst for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. As an undergraduate, Bledsoe was selected to the GTE Academic All-America First Team for his accomplishments both on and off the soccer field.
Bledsoe has enjoyed hiking and backpacking in national parks in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Chile. Closer to home, Bledsoe enjoys hiking on the Wildwood Trail, especially with his wife and sons.
Prior to entering law school, Bledsoe worked as a financial analyst for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. As an undergraduate, Bledsoe was selected to the GTE Academic All-America First Team for his accomplishments both on and off the soccer field.
Bledsoe has enjoyed hiking and backpacking in national parks in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Chile. Closer to home, Bledsoe enjoys hiking on the Wildwood Trail, especially with his wife and sons.
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Featured Representative Matters
Commercial Litigation
Bledsoe handles the broad scope of Tonkon Torp’s clients’ business disputes.
Grove City Veterinary Service, LLC et al. v. Charter Practices International, LLC
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon — Bledsoe worked as part of a team to defend a client against multiple claims with alleged damages of approximately $20 million. Bledsoe’s efforts focused on the experts in the case, including deposing all of the plaintiffs’ purported experts. In a deposition, Bledsoe got the plaintiffs’ “financial expert” to testify that he could do nothing more than basic math. The federal court dismissed many of plaintiffs’ claims because they failed to offer any admissible evidence of damages. The federal court also agreed with Bledsoe that the plaintiffs’ medical expert should be barred from testifying at trial. See the court’s opinion here. Without financial or medical experts, plaintiffs’ lawsuit came to an end.
Automotive Industries Pension Trust Fund et al. v. Barber Auto Sales, Inc. et al.
U.S. District Court, District of Northern California — Bledsoe successfully represented approximately 15 companies and a former owner of numerous auto dealerships in an ERISA withdrawal liability action.
Shareholder Oppression Litigation
Bledsoe has handled numerous matters involving shareholder, partnership, and LLC member disputes. Bledsoe both defends and prosecutes company ownership disputes. Bledsoe has received multi-million dollar payments for oppressed shareholders and helped remove minority shareholders.
Trust and Estate Litigation
Bledsoe has handled numerous matters involving trust and estate litigation, including trust contests, fiduciary duty disputes, and elder abuse claims. Bledsoe's trust and estate litigation experience includes multiple, successful bench trials.
Doris M. Young Revocable Living Trust
Clackamas County Circuit Court — After Ms. Young amended her trust, many of her family members claimed that she was improperly influenced to do so. The family agreed to appoint a neutral, successor trustee, and Bledsoe represented the successor trustee. Bledsoe and the successor trustee determined that Ms. Young intended to amend her trust and that the amendment should be enforced. After a bench trial, the court agreed. See the court’s opinion here.
Insurance Coverage Litigation
Frequently, insurers do not pay for covered losses. When this happens, Bledsoe advocates for his clients to receive the insurance benefits that they are entitled to.
Swickard Corp v. 21st Century Pacific Insurance Company
Clackamas County Circuit Court — The insurer interpreted the insurance policy to benefit its interests, but Bledsoe determined that there was another interpretation that benefitted his client. The court agreed that the insurance policy could be construed multiple ways and construed it in Tonkon Torp’s client’s favor. See the court’s opinion here. At trial, the court awarded the client full coverage for its losses, including prejudgment interest. See the court’s opinion here. After trial, the court awarded the client attorney fees and costs and multiplied the attorney fee award by 150 percent. See the court’s opinion here.
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Community Involvement & Activities
Forest Park Conservancy
Oregon State Parks Foundation
Board of Trustees
Oregon State Bar Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section
Former chair
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Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
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Awards & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America
2018-2019 Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Super Lawyers
2018, Oregon Super Lawyer – Business Litigation
2014-2017, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
2010-2011, Oregon Rising Star – General Litigation
2014-2017, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
2010-2011, Oregon Rising Star – General Litigation
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Recent News
8.17.2018
Best Lawyers in America® Names 51 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2019 List
Fifty-one Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 41 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019. Nearly all attorneys have been named to the list in past years, and have been recognized for more than five years
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…
8.16.2017
Best Lawyers in America® Names 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2018 List
Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 39 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018. Nearly all attorneys have been named to the list in past years, and have been recognized for more than five years…
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…
11.29.2016
Tonkon Torp Makes Grant to Oregon State Parks Foundation
Tonkon Torp made a donation to the Oregon State Parks Foundation, in support of its mission to preserve and enhance Oregon's state parks. Ryan Bledsoe organized the donation and is a member of the Foundation's board of trustees.
9.22.2016
Tonkon Torp Offers Trial Practice Program for Associates
As the overall number of trials decreases, new attorneys have limited opportunity to practice and hone courtroom advocacy skills. Because there is no substitute for examining live witnesses, Tonkon Torp trial lawyer William F. (“Rick”) Martson, Jr…
7.11.2016
28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2016 Super Lawyers Lists
Twenty-eight Tonkon Torp attorneys in ten practice areas are named on the national 2016 Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Super Lawyers are selected through a process that identifies outstanding lawyers in dozens of practice areas. Factors…
6.29.2016
Tonkon Torp Sponsors Forest Park All Trails Challenge
Tonkon Torp is a sponsor of the All Trails Challenge 2016 put on by the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC). The four month challenge launched on June 29. The FPC restores and protects Forest Park, Portland's 5,200 acre urban forest.
7.23.2015
2015 Super Lawyers Honors 23 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Twenty-three Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas are named on the national 2015 Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Two partners are recognized on the Oregon Top 50 list, lawyers rated most highly by their peers statewide.
5.29.2015
Tonkon Torp Donates to the Forest Park Conservancy
Tonkon Torp made a donation to the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC), which works to protect and foster the ecological health of Forest Park, maintain and enhance the park's extensive trail network, and inspire community appreciation and future…
12.16.2014
Tonkon Torp Welcomes Three New Partners
Tonkon Torp LLP has elected Ryan Bledsoe, Marco Materazzi, and Jeanette Schuster to the partnership, effective January 1, 2015. “Ryan, Marco and Jeanette are three fine examples of Tonkon Torp’s approach to expanding and strengthening the partnership…
10.31.2014
Ryan Bledsoe Elected Vice-Chair of FPC Board
Ryan Bledsoe was elected Vice-Chair of the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC) Board of Directors. Ryan previously served the board as Secretary.
10.23.2014
Tonkon Torp Hosts OSPF Reception
Tonkon Torp hosted the Oregon State Parks Foundation (OSPF) for their October 22 reception with new State Parks director Lisa Van Laanen. OSPF board members Jon Stride and Ryan Bledsoe attended the event.
9.22.2014
Tonkon Torp Donates to Oregon State Parks Foundation
Tonkon Torp made a donation to the Oregon State Parks Foundation (OSPF) in September. Jon Stride, an OSPF board member, organized the donation; Ryan Bledsoe is also an OSPF board member.
8.18.2014
Tonkon Torp Sponsors Forest Park Conservancy Marathon
Tonkon Torp was a sponsor at the annual Forest Park Conservancy (FPC) Marathon held August 16. The marathon was a fundraiser for the park, the largest urban forest in the United States.
7.9.2014
2014 Super Lawyers Honors 23 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Twenty-three Tonkon Torp attorneys in 11 practice areas have been named to the national 2014 Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists, including three partners who are recognized on the Oregon Top 50 list, lawyers rated most highly by their peers…
3.6.2014
Tonkon Torp Hosts AthletesTouch Portland Meeting
On March 6, Tonkon Torp hosted AthletesTouch for the inaugural meeting of their Portland branch.
2.11.2014
Bledsoe Elected to Oregon State Parks Foundation Board
Tonkon Torp’s service to the Oregon State Parks Foundation continues with the election of trial lawyer Ryan M. Bledsoe to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
12.2.2013
Bledsoe Appointed to Chair OSB’s Antitrust Section Executive Committee
Tonkon Torp attorney Ryan Bledsoe has been appointed as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section. The section provides bar members with opportunities to develop and improve their understanding of…
5.2.2013
Tonkon Torp Litigator Presents Information on Domain Name Disputes
Tonkon Torp litigator, Ryan Bledsoe, was a guest speaker at a May 1 brown bag lunch hosted by the Oregon State Bar’s Intellectual Property Section. His remarks were focused on helping practitioners to be aware of the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute…