Mick Harris

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.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon is a statewide nonprofit organization providing high-quality legal representation and advocacy to vulnerable and low-income communities throughout Oregon. Partner James Hein, current Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Pro Bono Committee, was instrumental in launching the firm’s partnership with Legal Aid Roseburg.

Tonkon Torp business attorney Mick Harris has been appointed to the Oregon Consular Corps (OCC) as an Associate Member.

Tonkon Torp business attorney Mick Harris has been appointed to the College Possible Oregon’s Ambassador Board and the Board of Trustees for Community Services Inc. College Possible Oregon’s Ambassador Board is a group of young professionals under the age of 40 who raise support and awareness for College Possible, which helps students in Oregon achieve their college goals.

Tonkon Torp attorney Mick Harris has been appointed to the Willamette University Alumni Board. The Board works to foster alumni relations by hosting events, organizing networking opportunities, and providing career resources. “Willamette University provided me a life-changing scholarship and an opportunity to pursue a meaningful legal career,” shared Harris.

Tonkon Torp attorney Mick Harris moderated a virtual forum for the five candidates running for a rare open bench on the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The forum was hosted by the Oregon Lawyers Chapter of the American Constitution Society.

Tonkon Torp welcomes associate Mick Harris to the firm’s Business Department, where he will focus on business law. “Tonkon Torp has a sterling reputation in the community and the chance to practice law alongside my new colleagues is a remarkable opportunity,” said Harris.

As society reckons with the enormous danger of climate change, there is no question that corporations must take responsibility for their contributions to rampant global warming, while working to reduce their emissions. For public companies or those planning to go public, this may manifest through increased pressure to provide formalized disclosures regarding climate change efforts.

In an effort to expand investment opportunities in private companies, on August 26, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted on August 26, 2020, amendments to the definition of an “accredited investor.” The amendments expand the definition as it applies in the exemption from registration for private offerings set forth in Regulation D under the Securities Act.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020 (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, providing a suite of protections and relief for everyday Americans and the economy at large. While most coverage has focused on other provisions that grant direct payments to American taxpayers, offer forgivable loans to businesses to cover payroll, and expand unemployment insurance benefits by $250 billion, the bill also included a significant expansion to the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (the “SBRA”).

In December 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed amending the definition of “accredited investor” under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933. Currently, there are eight different categories by which a natural person is deemed an accredited investor, including individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 million and those with income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years.