Services & Industries
Corporate & Business Owner Disputes
Intellectual Property Litigation
Contract & Commercial Disputes
Financial Services
Securities
Real Estate Litigation
Constitutional Law & Civil Rights
Information Privacy & Security
Insurance Recovery
Media, Sports & Entertainment
Government Law & Disputes
Appeals
Auto Dealers
Education
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1990, Order of the Coif
M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania, 1987
B.A.,cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 1986
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
State Bar of California
Washington State Bar Association
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th, 9th, 10th, D.C., and Federal Circuits
U.S. District Courts for the District of Oregon, the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California, and the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Steven is Co-Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department and Information Privacy & Security Practice Group and Chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice. He counsels clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, media communications and technology, information security, energy, corporate governance, real estate, and finance issues. An AV-rated litigator, Steven is also a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Financial Services & Investment Management practice groups.
He handles complex litigation in trial and appellate courts and in arbitration, and advises clients on transactional and information security matters as well. He represents clients in local, regional, and national matters.
Steven’s extensive experience in intellectual property matters includes representing former employers, departing employees, and new employers in trade secret litigation and advocating for both plaintiffs and defendants in trademark, copyright, and patent litigation.
As an advisor to media, publishing and communications clients, such as EO Media Group, Steven addresses issues such as applicability of media shield laws, reporters’ privileges, prior restraints on publication, defamation, invasion of privacy, news gathering methods, public records, public meetings, licensing, and copyright.
Steven advises clients regarding their information security and privacy issues, including appropriate responses to actual and potential breaches of data security, and providing notice to affected persons in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. He also advises clients on the mitigation of litigation risk in connection with incident responses. In addition, Steven serves as the firm’s Information Security Partner and serves on the firm’s internal IT Security Committee.
Steven has broad experience in securities litigation and arbitrations for issuers, brokers, and customers. He also has substantial experience in disputes concerning valuations, earn-outs, indemnities, and other issues arising out of corporate and financing transactions.
A strategic advantage Steven brings to his client’s matters is his skill in presenting technical issues and financial data in an accessible and compelling manner.
Steven has extensive appellate experience, having briefed and argued multiple appeals at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Oregon Court of Appeals. He has also briefed and/or argued appeals at the U.S. Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth, Tenth, and Federal Circuits, the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, the Oregon Supreme Court, the Washington Supreme Court, the Washington Court of Appeals, and the California Court of Appeal.
After law school, Steven served as a law clerk for the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson, United States District Court, Central District of California, and the Honorable Edwin J. Peterson, Chief Justice/Associate Justice, Oregon Supreme Court.
Representative Matters
PEBB v. OHSU
Successfully pursued Oregon Health & Science University’s right to recover a proportionate share of approximately $25 million, including interest, received by the state from the 1999 demutualization of Standard Insurance Company.
Cano v. Schreiner
Obtained a favorable jury verdict for a retiring shareholder who challenged the appraisal value of his shares in several closely-held corporations.
Guydish v. U.S. Bakery
Defended successfully, in trial court and on appeal, a class action seeking unpaid overtime on behalf of route salesperson for a regional company.
Watson v. Northwest Cascade
Successfully defended a regional company facing claims for defamation, false advertising, trespass, and property damage.
Walker v. Metro One
Obtained damages for an investor at trial; successfully defended appeal.
Praegitzer v. Andersen
Defended successfully, at trial and on appeal, claims by one 50-percent shareholder against the other 50-percent shareholder for unjust enrichment, fraudulent conveyance, and breach of fiduciary duty.
Miller v. KOIN-TV
Successfully defended KOIN-TV against claims that political advertising aired by the station was false and misleading.
Venue Dispute
Sustained venue (after a full day evidentiary hearing) in federal action for a regionally-based client suing a company headquartered in the eastern United States, leading to a favorable resolution for the client.
Employment Law
Obtained affirmance of a summary judgment decision holding that a bakery's compensation system for a class of route sales drivers provided the reasonable equivalent of overtime and was therefore exempt from Washington's overtime laws. (Washington Court of Appeals, Washington Supreme Court)
Civil Rights/First Amendment
Represented the plaintiffs in Moss vs. U.S. Secret Service, a civil rights case arising out of the demonstrations in southern Oregon during President Bush’s 2004 campaign visit. (U.S. District Ct. (Or.), Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Supreme Court)
Public Records
Successfully represented the ACLU of Oregon in Public Records Law action seeking records concerning a Eugene Police Department investigation on public interest grounds. (Lane County Circuit Court, Oregon Court of Appeals, Oregon Supreme Court)
Confidential
(NASDR Arbitration) – Achieved a favorable result in arbitration in the defense of a local, family-owned securities brokerage against claims of unauthorized and unsuitable trading.
Bell Data v. Symbol Technologies Inc.
(USDC, E.D. Mich.) – Successfully defended technology client accused of misappropriation, copyright infringement, and unfair competition by a software developer.
Dillon v. Symbol Technologies, Inc.
(USDC, N.D. Cal.) – Contract dispute involving sale of bar code scanning equipment.
Symantec Corp. v. CD Micro; Symantec Corp. v. Unik Associates
(USDC, D. Or.) – Defeated third party claims for indemnity for copyright and trademark infringement; successfully limited direct claim for damages for copyright and trademark infringement where defendant admitted sales of products found to infringe.
Ranger Enterprises v. Leen & Associates
(USDC, D. Or.) – Successfully defended company against claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information.
Wessa v. Watermark Paddlesports Inc.
(USDC, W.D. Wash.) – Contract dispute over asset purchase and earn-out where primary asset purchased was patent.
Ignite v. CamelBak
Successfully defended CamelBak against claims for patent infringement. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruled that the patent claims alleged against our client were invalid. That decision was appealed to the Federal Circuit, which ruled in favor of CamelBak, too. The final patent issue that was pending in district court was ultimately dismissed with prejudice.
Wholesale Electricity Antitrust Cases I and II and the People of the State of California v. Portland General Electric Company, et al
Defended a utility in a variety of litigation arising out of the California energy crisis.
Trade Secrets
Steven led a trial defending a client from accusations of trade secret misappropriation, trade dress infringement, and false advertising, ultimately obtaining a complete victory for the client on appeal.
Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Wins Again in Ongoing Defense of Oregon State Bar
Tonkon Torp celebrates another victory for the Oregon State Bar in the ongoing challenge presented in Gruber v. Oregon State Bar and Crowe v. Oregon State Bar. At question in both cases is whether compulsory membership in the Oregon State Bar violates individual rights to free speech and free association under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution
Tonkon Torp Wins Ballot Challenge for Oregon Agriculture Coalition
Tonkon Torp’s Government Solutions Practice Group is celebrating a successful effort on behalf of the Oregon Farm Bureau seeking changes to an Attorney General’s ballot title, caption and summary.
Tonkon Torp Leads CamelBak to Victory at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and Federal Circuit
Tonkon Torp has won a significant patent case for its client, CamelBak Products. CamelBak, based in Petaluma, California and founded in 1989, invented the hands-free hydration category and is the global leader in personal hydration gear. In November 2014, CamelBak was sued for patent infringement on a lid assembly for a beverage container that included cleaning features.
Tonkon Torp Obtains Oregon Supreme Court Victory for ACLU
Tonkon Torp attorneys Steven Wilker, Sarah Einowski and Gwen Griffith, working on behalf of the ACLU of Oregon, won a large victory in the Oregon Supreme Court that strengthens the public’s right to records. Find details and more featured cases here.
Steven Wilker Brings ACLU Case to Oregon Supreme Court
Steven Wilker recently presented arguments to the Oregon Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU of Oregon. At issue is the ACLU’s request for the release of public records from the City of Eugene relating to an incident in 2008 in which a Eugene police officer twice “tased” protestor Ian Van Ornum while he was prone on the ground at an anti-pesticide rally.
Balancing Free Speech and Presidential Security – Wilker Argues at the U.S. Supreme Court on First Amendment Issue
On March 26, 2014, Tonkon Torp litigator Steven Wilker argued at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU of Oregon in Wood v. Moss, a political viewpoint discrimination case. Find details and more featured cases here.
Community Involvement & Activities
Civics Learning Project (fka Classroom Law Project)
Board of Directors
2020-2022, Chair
2018-2020, Vice Chair
2014-Present, Member
2018-Present, Executive Committee Member
First Growth Children and Family Charities, dba Classic Wines Foundation (formerly Classic Wines Auction)
Board of Directors
2020-2023, Secretary
2019-2020, Treasurer
2019-2023, Executive Committee
2018-2024, Member
Metropolitan Family Service
2015-Present, Investment Committee
2010-2018, Board of Directors
2017-2018, Immediate Past Chair
2015-2017, Chair
2013-2015, Vice Chair
American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Inc. and ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc.
Board of Directors
2010–2015, Vice President, Litigation
2009–2015, Member
Lawyers Committee
2010–2015, Chair
2015-2017, Vice Chair
2006–2021, Member
Oregon State Bar – Bar Press Broadcasters Council
2005-2010, Member
2008, Chair
Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
The Best Lawyers in America
2013-2025, Commercial Litigation
2013-2025, Litigation: First Amendment
2017, 2019, 2023, 2025 Lawyer of the Year – Litigation: First Amendment, Portland
Super Lawyers
2015-2024, Oregon Super Lawyer – Intellectual Property Litigation
2013-2014, Oregon Super Lawyer – Business Litigation
Portland Business Journal
2005, Forty Under 40
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.
33 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2024 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-three Tonkon Torp attorneys in 12 practice areas have been included in the 2024 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
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.
Recent Publications
JOBS Act Directs SEC to Lift Ban on General Solicitation and General Advertising in Rule 506 Offerings
The recently enacted Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) directs the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to adopt rules that remove the existing prohibition against general advertising and general solicitation in private placements exempt from registration under Rule 506 of Regulation D, as long as the securities are sold only to accredited investors.
SEC Adopts Final Rules on Performance-Based Fees
As discussed in a previous Tonkon Tip, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an order raising the financial thresholds of Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which provides that only “qualified clients” may be charged a performance-based fee.
Final ERISA Service Provider Fee Disclosure Rules Go Into Effect July 1, 2012
On February 2, 2012, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued final regulations requiring service providers to ERISA retirement plans to disclose information about the service providers’ compensation and potential conflicts of interest. The final rules replace interim final ERISA section 408(b)(2) regulations that were to go into effect on April 1, 2012.
SEC Overhauls Form ADV Part 1A to Conform to New Dodd-Frank Requirements
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 has significantly changed how investment advisers are regulated. Among other things, the Act (a) increased the amount of assets under management required for SEC registration and (b) eliminated the so-called “private adviser” exemption, obligating many managers of private investment funds to register with the SEC or report to the SEC as “exempt reporting advisers.”
Get Ready to Comply with ERISA Service Provider Fee Disclosure Rules
On January 1, 2012, new rules go into effect that will require investment advisers, brokers and others who provide services to ERISA plans to disclose to plan fiduciaries information relating to the service provider’s compensation. This disclosure is intended to help plan fiduciaries determine the reasonableness of a service provider’s compensation, and whether conflicts of interest may affect a service provider’s performance of services.
Publications & Presentations
“Business Entities as Parties,” Chapter, Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation (2020 Edition), Oregon State Bar
“Separation of Church and State after American Legion v. American Humanist Association,” Humanists of Greater Portland, January 2020
“Social Media and Websites – IP Pitfalls and Cautionary Tales,” September 2018
“Privacy Policies and the GDPR,” June 2018
“Know Your Rights – Fair Use or Copyright Infringement?” Society of American Travel Writers, November 2017
“Legal and Moral Questions in The Nether,” Third Rail Repertory Theatre, October 2016
“The Supreme Court Inside and Out,” OSB Business Litigation Section, November 2015
“Presidential Security Trumps First Amendment: Wood v. Moss,” Oregon Civil Rights Newsletter, OSB Civil Rights Section, November 2014
“Is Big Data Giving you a Big Headache?” OSB Corporate Counsel Section, October 2014
“Legal Issues with the Internet of Things and Drones,” OSB Technology Law Section, October 2014
“Behind the Curtain: Inside the U.S. Supreme Court,” U.S District Court of Oregon Historical Society, September 2014
“Data Security and Breach Response 101: A Primer for Corporate Counsel,” Association of Corporate Counsel, June 2014
“First Amendment Speech and Assembly and Fourth Amendment Search and Privacy,” American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, May 2014
“Hot Box: NSA Spying Rules,” KGW News’ Hot Box, January 2014
“Public Records, But Not For Public Employees,” Jefferson Public Radio’s Jefferson Exchange, January 2014
“A Deeper Look Into Government Surveillance Programs and Your Right to Privacy,” KGW News’ Straight Talk, June 2013
“What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings in Oregon,” Lorman Education Services, June 2013
“Warranties and Indemnifications,” Daily Journal of Commerce, December 2012
“Privacy, Piracy and Patents: Computer Law 2012,” OSB Computer and Internet Law Section, September 2012
“Representative Capacity,” Oregon Civil Pleading and Practice, 6th edition, Oregon State Bar, April 2012
“Are Corporations People? The Impact and Future of ‘Citizens United,'” City Club of Portland, January 2012
“Binding Arbitration: Oregon Dealers Cannot Require Binding Arbitration of Warranty Claims,” Oregon Automobile Dealers Association Newsletter, November 2011
“Ninth Circuit Review – Supervisory Liability under § 1983 and Bivens,” ACLU NW Civil Liberties Conference, October 30, 2010
“The Nuts and Bolts of Litigating a Civil Rights Case – Perplexed by Pleading Standards? Motions to Dismiss After Twombly,” Oregon State Bar CLE, October 2010
“Offers of Judgment in Oregon State Court,” Oregon State Bar Litigation Journal, March 2010
“Peaceful Political Protest: When Can the Government Disperse Peaceful Protesters?” Oregon State Bar CLE, October 2008
“What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings,” Lorman CLE, October 2008
“Grand Theft IP,” Oregon Entrepreneur’s Network Webinar, June 2008
“Key Word Advertising Using Trademarked Terms: Fair or Foul?” Oregon Intellectual Property Newsletter, Spring 2008
“Trademark Law – 2007 Year in Review,” Intellectual Property Law: A Year in Review, Oregon State Bar CLE, February 2008
“Who is Liable for Speech in Cyberspace?” American Bar Association Intellectual Property Roundtable, June 2007