Services & Industries
Education
J.D., Order of the Coif, University of Oregon School of Law, 2004
Editor-in-Chief, Oregon Law Review
B.A., University of Washington, 2000
Certificate of Mandarin Studies, Nanjing University, 1999
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar Association
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
U.S. Supreme Court
As Managing Partner at Tonkon Torp, Anna is responsible for the firm’s strategy and direction, and oversees the operations, delivery of legal services, and business management of the firm. Prior to her election as Managing Partner, Anna served on the firm’s Managing Board and as co-chair of its Litigation Department.
Anna is a trial lawyer with a practice focused on business disputes, including contract litigation, owner and valuation disputes, consumer protection matters, and complex tort cases. Having tried more than a dozen jury trials to verdict in state and federal courts, Anna has been recognized as a top trial practitioner by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers, which lists Anna among the top 10 Oregon lawyers and top 25 Oregon women lawyers. She is also a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, invitation-only groups who recognize outstanding trial lawyers.
In addition to her law practice, Anna is an active member of the community, currently serving on the board of directors of Oregon Humanities. She also served as a Commissioner on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Anna regularly handles high-profile pro bono matters on behalf of nonprofit and community organizations.
Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, Anna was a law clerk for The Honorable Alfred T. Goodwin, on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Representative Matters
Complex Commercial Litigation
- Defended retailer GNC against significant claims brought by the State of Oregon under the Oregon Unfair Trade Practices Act and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, based on sales of dietary supplements in Oregon.
- Following a seven-week jury trial, secured a complete victory for XPO, fka Con-way, an American multinational freight transportation company. At issue was the question of responsibility for some portion of defense and indemnity costs associated with three Superfund sites, including the Portland Harbor, and over 1,500 asbestos lawsuits.
- Defended SVC, a subsidiary of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, in a $105,000,000 breach of contract action filed by the City of Albany after SVC terminated a development agreement pursuant to which SVC was to build a Gatorade plant in Albany, Oregon.
- Represented Columbia Helicopters in a dispute over Boeing’s refusal to sell Boeing helicopter parts to Oregon-based Columbia Helicopters, to allow Columbia to fulfill its contracts to repair Boeing-manufactured military CH-47 Chinook helicopters. To resolve threatened antitrust litigation, Boeing ultimately agreed to recognize Columbia Helicopters as an independent service organization and provide Columbia with Boeing parts to perform CH-47 repair services.
Product Liability & Torts
- Defended a national product manufacturer, its parent company, and a national online retailer against product liability claims of approximately $100 million, with parties and witnesses spanning 10 U.S. jurisdictions and three countries. Ultimately resolved the matter for a small fraction of claimed damages.
- Defended a national wearable device manufacturer against claims that one of its products was dangerously defective. Following a multi-day arbitration, received a complete defense victory.
- Defended a product manufacturer in Washington State in multiple cases against claims that its product was dangerously defective, leading to favorable settlements.
- Oversaw and managed asbestos claims brought against multiple clients, working cooperatively with appointed insurance defense counsel.
- Tried to a jury verdict Oregon’s first “trespass to produce” claim on behalf of a commercial dairy farm, resulting in clarifying Oregon’s timber trespass statutory scheme.
Shareholder & Corporate Disputes
- Assisted a company in redeeming its former CEO’s shares after a dispute over valuation by leveraging Oregon’s dissenters’ rights statutes and petitioning the court for a judicial appraisal, resulting in a reasonable parting of ways.
- Following a two-week jury trial in Central Oregon, protected the majority owners of a manufacturing company from a minority shareholder who refused to redeem minority shares under a shareholder agreement, resulting in an award to our clients of specific performance, a new share valuation, and significant attorney fees.
- Helped a majority member of an LLC wrest back control of a large recycling outfit after a minority member took illegitimate steps to lock the majority member out of the business. We helped by finalizing an unfinished business transaction and cleaning up corporate record-keeping prior to arbitration.
Consumer Protection
- Brought claims on behalf of an individual consumer in a successful federal lawsuit against a large credit card company for unlawful practices under the Fair Credit Billing Act and Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act. Following a federal jury trial, successfully appealed statutory claims to the Ninth Circuit, leading to a favorable settlement.
- Defended multiple national companies in consumer protection matters instigated by the State of Oregon, including claims under the Oregon Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Other Trial Experience
- Defended regional hospital system against safety whistle-blower and wrongful discharge claims in a two-week jury trial in southern Oregon, establishing a high bar for the establishment of employer liability under the “cat’s paw” legal theory.
- Defended business owner against breach of contract claims relating to the sale of a sports-bar business in a one-week jury trial.
- Represented a secured creditor against guarantors of multi-million dollar promissory notes in a week-long jury trial in Oregon state court, securing a large judgment and attorney fee award for our client.
Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Wins Injunctive Relief in National Humanities Lawsuit Against DOGE
On August 4, Tonkon Torp Managing Partner Anna Sortun argued a Motion for a Preliminary Injunction in the firm’s lawsuit against DOGE and the National Endowment for the Humanities on behalf of Oregon Humanities and the National Federation of Humanities Councils. On August 6, the Honorable Michael H. Simon, the presiding judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, issued an opinion in favor of the humanities councils.
The Ramos Project
In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down non-unanimous jury convictions in criminal cases in Ramos v. Louisiana. A shameful carryover from the Jim Crow era, Louisiana and Oregon were the last two states that allowed non-unanimous criminal convictions when as many as two jurors believed a defendant was innocent. Overnight, more than 260 cases in Oregon became eligible to seek post-conviction relief for unconstitutional non-unanimous convictions. Housed in the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic (CJRC) at Lewis & Clark Law School, the Ramos Project is a statewide pro-bono initiative providing legal assistance to those seeking redress.
Tonkon Torp Guides Pacific Foods through Oregon’s Largest Acquisition of 2017
Tonkon Torp led Oregon’s largest M&A transaction in 2017, the $700 million acquisition of Tualatin-based Pacific Foods of Oregon LLC by Campbell Investment Company. Pacific Foods is an iconic, nationally distributed organic food brand founded in 1987.
Tonkon Torp Wins Complicated Civil Trial for Con-way
In arguably one of the biggest and most complicated civil trials in Portland, Tonkon Torp secured a complete jury trial victory for Con-way, a $5.5 billion American multinational freight transportation company. Find details and more featured cases here.
Community Involvement & Activities
Campaign for Equal Justice
Advisory Committee Member
Oregon Humanities
Board Member
Portland Metro Chamber
Board Member
Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Pro Bono Volunteer
Oregon State Bar Litigation Section
2020-2025, Executive Committee Member
Oregon State Bar Litigation Journal
Editorial Board
Photolucida
Advisory Board Member
OSB Committee on Federal Practice & Procedure
Past Chair of the Pro Bono Subcommittee
Past Member
Oregon Government Ethics Commission
2019-2021, Commissioner
Emerge Oregon
Past Board Member
Business for Culture and the Arts
Art of Leadership Program 2011
Northwest Dance Project
Past Board Member
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
International Society of Barristers
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Oregon Women Lawyers
Multnomah Bar Association
2026, Pro Bono Award of Merit
2007, Pro Bono Award of Merit
Portland Business Journal
2024, Women of Influence
2017, Forty Under 40
The Best Lawyers in America
2026, Lawyer of the Year – Litigation – Securities, Portland
2026. Appellate Practice
2022-2026, Commercial Litigation
2022-2026, Litigation – Insurance
2024-2026, Litigation – Securities
2022-2026, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Super Lawyers
2025, Top 10 Oregon Super Lawyers
2022-2025, Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers
2022-2025, Top 50 Oregon Super Lawyers
2017-2025, Oregon Super Lawyer – Business Litigation
2013-2016, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
Daily Journal of Commerce
2012, “Up & Coming Lawyer” Portland, Oregon
Recent News
Tonkon Torp Announces Competition to Support Downtown Businesses
Tonkon Torp is pleased to announce the launch of the Downtown Cup, a friendly competition with local law and accounting firms to support downtown and its small businesses. Baker Tilly, Barran Liebman LLP, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Deloitte, Dunn Carney LLP, Geffen Mesher, Holland & Knight, KPMG, Perkins & Co, PwC, Schwabe, and Stoel Rives LLP have all signed on to the competition, with more businesses expected to join.
Chambers USA 2026 Ranks 25 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 25 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its 2026 Guide.
Oregon Humanities Team at Tonkon Torp Honored with MBA Pro Bono Award of Merit
Tonkon Torp attorneys Anna Sortun, Steven Wilker, Paul Balmer, and Gracey Nagle have been honored by the Multnomah Bar Association (MBA) with a 2026 Pro Bono Award of Merit. The award is in recognition of their work representing Oregon Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils in Oregon Humanities v. DOGE et. al, a case challenging the Trump Administration’s decision to mass terminate grant funding for state and jurisdictional humanities councils in April 2025.
Anna Sortun Joins Portland Metro Chamber Board of Directors
Tonkon Torp Managing Partner Anna Sortun has joined the Board of Directors for the Portland Metro Chamber. Portland Metro Chamber is the oldest, largest, and most diverse business organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and the leading voice for business in the region.
Tonkon Torp Celebrates Grand Reopening at Wells Fargo Center
On September 25, nearly 200 Tonkon Torp attorneys, staff, alumni, and friends gathered to celebrate the firm’s grand re-opening at the Wells Fargo Center. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson was in attendance to aid in the festivities. Andrew Hoan, President & CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber, presided over a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony led by Tonkon torp Managing Partner Anna Sortun, immediate past Managing Partner Kurt Ruttum, and Tonkon Torp partners Jeff Bradford and Kimberlee Stafford, all who played key roles in managing the firm’s move.
Publications & Presentations
Panelist, “Rise: Women Stepping Up and Redefining Leadership,” Rose City Summit, Junior League of Portland, April 2025
Panelist, “Closing Arguments,” Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Oct. 2021
Panelist, “Career Exploration: Strategies for Success in Private Practice with Mid-to-Large-sized Firms,” Oregon State Bar Leadership Institute, Oct. 2021
“Depositions,” Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Feb. 2021
“Appellate Considerations for Trial Counsel,” Litigation Journal, Fall 2020
Moderator, “Tools to Survive the COVID-19 Economy: CARES Act SBA Loans, Employment Laws, and Corporate Issues,” April 2020
“Closely Held Business Disputes from the Practitioner’s Perspective,” OSB Business Litigation Section, March 2019
“Best Practices in Crafting and Defending Buy-Sell Provisions,” OSB Business Law Section, June 2018
“An Underused Defense Tool?: Special Motions to Strike,” Litigation Journal, 2011
Co-Author, “‘Relevant Background Evidence’ Is Swallowing Rule: Applying FRE 404 in Discrimination Cases,” Litigation Journal, 2006
“Rebutting the Parental Presumption in Oregon,” 82 OR. L. Rev. 1191, 2003