Services & Industries
Education
J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 1974, Order of the Coif
B.S., University of Oregon, 1968, Phi Beta Kappa
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
State Bar of California, Inactive
Ron’s business law practice emphasizes securities, finance, and corporate acquisitions, and counseling companies through the stages of growth. He has been actively involved in venture capital financings, representing both venture investors and growth-stage companies, and later-stage financings including public offerings. His practice has also focused on the structuring and implementation of management leveraged buyouts, involving both private and publicly held companies.
Examples of some of Ron’s recent transactions include:
- $75 million acquisition in an industry consolidation transaction
- Pooling of interests tax-free merger with a public company
- $7 million venture financing for a technology client
- Structuring and representing management in a management buy-out
In addition to his transactional work, Ron advises clients concerning corporate structure, equity-based compensation, regulatory compliance, and financial matters on a regular basis.
Representative Matters
Acquisition of Eastern Oregon-Based Beverage Distributor
We assisted our client, Columbia Distributing, in its acquisition of Eastern Oregon-based Graybeal Distributing. This expands Columbia's territory as it continues to grow as one of the largest U.S. beverage distributors.
Sale of Big Data Focused Software Company
We assisted with the sale of SnappyData, Inc., a software company focused in the Big Data space that was incubated at Pivotal Software and also backed by GE Digital and GTD Capital. We assisted SnappyData in negotiating and consummating the sale of the Company, including its Indian subsidiary, to TIBCO Software.
Sale of Cadet Manufacturing Company
Tonkon Torp negotiated and finalized the sale of Vancouver-based Cadet Manufacturing to an Irish company called Glen Dimplex, the world's largest electric heat manufacturer.
Sale of Portland Bottling Company
Tonkon Torp negotiated the sale of 92-year old Portland Bottling Company. The buyer is an entity formed by Ed Maletis, former founder of beer and spirits giant Columbia Distributing.
Coho
Represented Columbia Distributing, one of the nation's largest malt beverage, wine and non-alcoholic beverage distributors, in a nine figure sale to a financial buyer.
Facilitation of Key Technology Merger
Represented Key Technology in its acquisition of Belgium-based Visys N.V. The deal, valued at approximately $21 million, created a single, complete source of high-performance digital sorting technologies for food processing and other industrial markets. The transaction involved substantial due diligence regarding intellectual property litigation matters and the acquisition of a company partially owned by Belgian regional government entities.
Acquisition of Trailer Manufacturer
Represented Endeavour Capital in acquisitions of a trailer Manufacturer.
Acquisition of Market Industries, Inc.
Represented Endeavour Capital in acquisitions of Market Industries, Inc.
Acquisition of Merchandising Company
Represented Endeavour Capital in acquisitions of a merchandising company.
Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Guides SnappyData through Equity Sale
Tonkon Torp helped client SnappyData, Inc. to negotiate and complete an equity sale to TIBCO Software. SnappyData is a software company based in Portland that operates in the open-source big data space.
Tonkon Torp Helps Columbia Distributing Continue Expansion
Tonkon Torp partners Ron Greenman and James Hein assisted the firm’s long-term client, Columbia Distributing, in its acquisition of Graybeal Distributing. The transaction adds new beverage brands to Columbia’s portfolio and expands its territory into Eastern Oregon.
United States Bakery
Tonkon Torp has represented United States Bakery (USB), best known for its Franz Family Bakery brands, for more than 40 years. Find details and more featured cases here.
Tonkon Torp and Law Firm Alliance Partner Facilitate Key Technology Merger
Tonkon Torp represented Key Technology in its acquisition of Belgium-based Visys N.V. The deal, valued at approximately $21 million, created a single source of high-performance sorting technologies for food processing and other industrial markets. Find details and more featured cases here.
Community Involvement & Activities
Campaign for Equal Justice
Board of Directors
Pacific University
Past Board of Trustees
Oregon Law Foundation
2000–2004, Board of Directors
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section.
The Best Lawyers in America
1995-2025, Corporate Law
1995-2025, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
1995-2025, Securities/Capital Markets Law
2014, 2019, 2025, Lawyer of the Year – Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Portland
2010, 2015, Lawyer of the Year – Corporate Law, Portland
Oregon State Bar Business Law Section
2019 James B. Castles Leadership Award
Recent News
Six Tonkon Torp Partners Named Portland Lawyer of the Year
Tonkon Torp partners Ronald Greenman, Drew Hagedorn, Parna Mehrbani, Thomas Palmer, Steven Wilker, and Zach Wright have been named 2025 Portland Lawyer of the Year in their respective specialties by The Best Lawyers in America® peer-review survey.
46 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®
Forty-six Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Forty-five of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
Tonkon Torp Launches 50th Anniversary Firm Awards Program
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Tonkon Torp LLP has launched a new internal awards program in tribute to four of the firm’s historic leaders: founding partners Brian Booth, Don Marmaduke, and Moe Tonkon, and long-term Administrator Caroline Phillips. The program acknowledges and celebrates the Tonkon Torp values of community service, client service, and service to the firm, as well as recognizes those current attorneys and staff who embody these principles.
Chambers USA 2024 Ranks 28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 28 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its 2024 Guide.
Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2024 List
Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. All of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.