Services & Industries
Education
J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2016, Order of the Coif
B.A., University of Puget Sound, 2012
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Will is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department. He represents businesses and individuals in a variety of complex civil matters, with a particular emphasis on real estate and construction litigation—including commercial leasing, construction lien, property boundary, land use, and timber trespass disputes. In addition to his real estate litigation work, Will actively appears in state and federal court in matters concerning commercial contracts, consumer protection laws, corporate governance, and shareholder disputes.
Will graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Oregon School of Law, where he was Executive Editor of the Oregon Law Review. During law school, Will was a fellow in the Wayne Morse Center for Law & Politics and received the Governor Paul Patterson Memorial Fellowship for his commitment to civic involvement. Additionally, he served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Michael J. McShane, United States District Judge for the District of Oregon, and also as a law clerk in the Civil Litigation Section of the Oregon Department of Justice’s Trial Division.
Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Will enjoys running in Forest Park; exploring Portland’s craft breweries; and experiencing new places, cultures, and foods.
Representative Matters
Real Estate and Construction Litigation
Lead attorney in multi-day bench trial concerning the partition of residential property, securing favorable rulings on all disputed issues, favorable settlement, and award of attorney fees in connection with motion to compel.
Represented commercial tenant in three-day arbitration hearing concerning alleged lease defaults, securing favorable rulings on all claims and six-figure attorney fee award.
Represented local government in breach of contract dispute concerning the public construction of a wastewater facility, securing complete summary judgment on all claims.
Defended building owner and commercial tenants in land use covenant litigation involving a 30-story office tower, securing partial summary judgment and voluntary dismissal of all claims.
Represented construction management firm in mechanics lien litigation, securing dismissal of series of cross-claims for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and damages, as well as favorable resolution of lien claim.
Represented school district in negligence action against design professional firm, securing favorable settlement at mediation.
Represented homeowner in breach of contract and unfair trade practices lawsuit against contractor, securing full damages and attorney fees.
Represented homeowner in residential timber trespass dispute, negotiating pre-litigation settlement that recovered six-figure payment and client’s attorney fees.
As lead attorney in probate trial, obtained directed verdict against claims arising from a disputed option agreement to purchase a residential property.
Defended local government’s land use decision in mandamus proceeding, securing dismissal with prejudice after evidentiary hearing.
Represented heavy equipment company in breach of contract litigation arising from the construction of a hospital, helping secure Ninth Circuit reversal of an unfavorable trial court decision and favorable settlement after substituting in as counsel.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Second chaired three-day bench trial in an operating agreement dispute involving a closely held real estate company, securing favorable court-ordered buyout and dismissal of all counterclaims.
Represented high-profile professional athlete in private arbitration involving a Most Favored Nations endorsement agreement dispute, prevailing on multiple contested motions before obtaining favorable settlement.
Secured complete summary judgment and attorney fees for public utility company in contract dispute arising from the financial collapse of a European energy conglomerate, who assisted with the construction of a nearly $400 million power plant.
Obtained favorable settlement defending director, founder, and former Chief Executive Officer of Fortune 500 company against consolidated derivative suits alleging breach of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment.
Consumer Protection and Compliance
Defend national company in consumer protection matter, including claims under the Oregon Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Advise local and regional automobile dealerships on advertising regulations and other consumer protection matters.
Featured Work
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
ACLU of Oregon
Lawyers’ Committee, Member
Blanchet House
Emerging Professionals Board, Co-Chair
Multnomah Bar Association
Young Lawyers Section CLE Committee, Past Member
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
The Best Lawyers in America
2022-2024, Ones to Watch – Commercial Litigation
Recent News
Best Lawyers in America® Names 17 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2024 Ones to Watch List
Seventeen Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 18 practice groups have been named to The Best Lawyers in America 2024 Ones to Watch directory. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is a peer-review honor that acknowledges the professional excellence of attorneys who have been in private practice for less than 10 years.
39 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2023 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-nine Tonkon Torp attorneys in 12 practice areas have been included in the 2023 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
31 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2022 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-one Tonkon Torp attorneys in 11 practice areas have been included in the 2022 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars
Will Gent Joins Oregon ACLU Lawyers’ Committee
Tonkon Torp litigator Will Gent has joined the Lawyers’ Committee of the Oregon ACLU. The Committee selects the civil liberties or civil rights cases the organization will pursue in Oregon through client representation or by filing briefs as a friend of the court.
Best Lawyers in America® Names 13 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2022 Ones to Watch List
Thirteen Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 13 practice groups have been selected to appear in Best Lawyers’ 2022 Ones to Watch directory.
Recent Publications
Multnomah County “Freezes” Eviction Proceedings Through 2020
Multnomah County may be exiting Governor Kate Brown’s COVID-19 “freeze,” but eviction proceedings in Oregon’s largest county remain largely on hold until after the New Year.
Coronavirus and Commercial Evictions: Oregon’s New Moratorium
On April 1, 2020, Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-13, expanding certain coronavirus-related eviction protections to include commercial tenants. This order follows a series of emergency moratoria issued by Governor Brown, the City of Portland, and Multnomah County, which specifically addressed residential evictions.
Publications & Presentations
“Multnomah County “Freezes” Eviction Proceedings Through 2020,” Ear to the Ground Blog, December 2020
“Coronavirus and Commercial Evictions: Oregon’s New Moratorium,” Ear to the Ground Blog, April 2020
“Tilting at Windmills: National Security, Foreign Investment, and Executive Authority in Light of Ralls Corp. v. CFIUS,” Oregon Law Review, 2016