Tonkon Torp litigators Steven Olson and Paul Conable are lead counsel in a lawsuit filed against Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and the City of Portland by a coalition of plaintiffs that include neighborhood associations, businesses, and business groups. The plaintiffs contend that the “experimental” policy implemented by the Mayor allowing homeless individuals to set up camps on public property exceeds his authority, and is an impractical and irrational shortcut that has no possibility of fixing a serious, long-term challenge. News of the lawsuit quickly made the rounds of the local Portland media including coverage in the Oregonian, Portland Business Journal, KATU and Oregon Public Broadcasting. 
The plaintiffs, which include the Building Owners and Managers Association of Oregon, Cartlandia, Central Eastside Industrial Council, Clean & Safe District, Overlook Neighborhood Association, Pearl District Neighborhood Association, and Portland Business Alliance, are seeking an injunction that will require the City to withdraw the Mayor’s camping policy because it is a legislative matter that is beyond the individual power of the Mayor, and that it is violation of current state law and city code regarding street camping.
Steven and Paul are co-chairs of Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department. Steven represents companies, shareholders, and business professionals in cases involving contract disputes, business torts, shareholders disputes, unlawful trade practices, environmental matters, injunctions, product defects, and real estate transactions. Paul has a wide-ranging trial practice representing both individuals and businesses in contract and investment disputes, government investigations, and environmental matters.
