Services & Industries
Education
J.D., cum laude, Willamette University College of Law, 2019
B.A., Government, magna cum laude, New Mexico State University, 2012
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Mick is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Business Department with a broad practice focused on corporate governance, general business law, and real estate. Mick counsels startups, emerging growth companies, and large-scale businesses on venture capital and angel financings, mergers and acquisitions, commercial agreements, and nuts-and-bolts business matters. His experience includes helping clients select the appropriate form of entity, forming and dissolving entities, corporate governance issues, and negotiating and documenting contractual arrangements such as shareholder rights and debt and equity financings. He is also experienced in the nonprofit sector in matters of entity formation, governance, and compliance.
In his real estate work, Mick assists clients in a wide range of title, finance, transactional, leasing, and regulatory matters. He specializes in matters related to land use and residential landlord-tenant matters, negotiating leases, navigating terminations, and providing compliance support to bolster successful, residential landlord-tenant relationships.
Mick graduated cum laude from Willamette University College of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of Willamette Law Review and President of the Willamette University Public Interest Law Project. While a law student, Mick worked as a summer associate at Tonkon Torp and served as a summer law clerk for Mercy Corps in Portland, where he drafted complex contracts for global use, and provided guidance on a wide range of humanitarian projects. He also gained experience as a judicial extern for the Hon. Robyn Ridler Aoyagi at the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Before entering law school, Mick worked as a political consultant, helping clients pass meaningful legislation and developing winning campaign strategies for candidates on the state and local level. Mick currently serves on the board of the Oregon Lawyers Chapter of the American Constitution Society.
Mick’s interests outside of work include writing, reading, podcasts, comedy, sailing, horology, fighting global warming, and reveling in Portland’s excellent restaurant scene.
Featured Work
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
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.
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.
Community Involvement & Activities
American Constitution Society, Oregon Lawyers Chapter
Board Member
Community Services, Inc.
Board of Trustees, Member
College Possible Oregon
Ambassador Board, Member
Oregon Consular Corps
Treasuer
Willamette University Alumni Board
Board Member
Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
Recent News
Mick Harris Appointed to the Oregon Consular Corps as an Associate Member
Tonkon Torp business attorney Mick Harris has been appointed to the Oregon Consular Corps (OCC) as an Associate Member.
Mick Harris Joins Boards for Community Services, Inc. and College Possible Oregon
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.
Mick Harris Joins Willamette University Alumni Board
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.
Mick Harris Moderates Judicial Candidate Forum for American Constitution Society
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 Business Associate Mick Harris
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.
Recent Publications
Despite Dip in Residential Real Estate Market, Cost of Buying Remains High
By MIck Harris – The residential real estate market across the United States has slowed and the Oregon market is no exception. However, as always—location, location, location—plays a significant factor in determining the impact of a cooling market.
Competing with Corporations for Residential Real Estate?
By MIck Harris – Between a red-hot housing market and rising interest rates, prospects are looking bleak for would-be homeowners in our region. For the most part, however, Oregon buyers have avoided one significant obstacle that has plagued other markets—competition with corporate investors for limited residential housing.
Commercial Real Estate Deals Are Not Dead
By Mick Harris – Downtown Portland’s vacancy rate stood at approximately 26% in the second quarter of 2022, up from 13% during the same period in pre-pandemic 2019.
When Can Oregon Landlords Terminate Residential Tenancy Without Cause?
By Mick Harris – Tonkon Torp real estate attorney Mick Harris reviews the circumstances when an Oregon landlord can issue a no cause eviction.
Slow Permitting Keeps Builders on the Sidelines Despite Demand
By Mick Harris – In June 2022, according to a Redfin report, Portland home prices were up 7.6% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $570,000. On average, homes in Portland sell after six days on the market. One would expect such a brisk market to lead to a building boom
Publications & Presentations
Mick is a regular contributor to Tonkon Torp’s Ear to the Ground blog, which provides timely commentary on issues affecting the commercial real estate and development communities in the Pacific Northwest.
“Public Company Disclosures in a Climate-Change Focused World,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, March 2021
“SEC Expands Definition of Accredited Investor,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, September 2020
Moderator, “Judicial Candidate Forum,” American Constitution Society Oregon Lawyers Chapter, May 2020
“The CARES Act Provides Small Businesses Additional Bankruptcy Relief,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2020
“SEC Proposes Limited Expansion of ‘Accredited Investor’ Definition,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, February 2020