Schwabe News Archive

The ILWU staged slowdowns at the Port of Portland and flouted federal court orders. The resulting chaos caused international shipping lines to abandon Portland, ending Oregon-based cargo service for exporters as far inland as Idaho’s Snake River.

Partnering with Portland marketing agency Kinesis, law firm Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt published a forward-looking study this fall, 'Commercial Real Estate & Construction in the Pacific Northwest,' which took the temperature of the 2019 commercial real estate and construction climate.

The business leaders group Identity Clark County has selected Matthew Bisturis to fill the Ed
Lynch Board Seat, a one-year courtesy appointment to the group’s Board of Directors for 2020.

Jury awards $93.6 Million to former operator of Port’s Terminal 6 for losses due to dock workers’ illegal labor slowdowns.

Schwabe has proudly sustained its National Tier 1 Timber ranking since 2011 and has been named Timber “Law Firm of the Year” in 2020, 2018, 2015, 2013, and 2012. Schwabe was additionally honored with a National Tier 1 Natural Resources Law ranking.

It is with great sadness that Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt announces the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague, Steve Ford. Those of us at Schwabe will remember Steve’s creative approach to work, dry wit, and love of the outdoors.

A federal jury awarded $93.6 million to the former operator of the Port of Portland’s container terminal, finding the dock workers union sabotaged shipping traffic and caused productivity to plummet through years of labor slowdowns and stoppages.

A former Oregon port operator scored a $93.6 million verdict after a federal jury determined that unlawful boycotts carried out by the port's union-backed dock workers caused business to take a nosedive.

The awards honor women who are shaping the built environment with their leadership, mentoring efforts, community involvement and promotion of industry diversity. Schwabe's Paige Spratt and Charmin Shiely were among the honorees. 

Key new team member adds depth to group’s industry-focused practice.

As a shareholder at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Paige Spratt brings real-world construction expertise to each client she works with. She works creatively with her clients to handle arbitrations and a variety of lawsuits, including those that range from lien foreclosures, construction claims, and complex breach of contract claims. 

Charmin Shiely is a shareholder and business attorney with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. Her work in the real estate industry is significant, where she helps with purchase and sale transactions, equity and debt financing, corporate structuring, licensing, and much more.

A large-scale survey of Pacific Northwest real estate and construction professionals found widespread concern with environmental and housing regulation, and health care costs.

Schwabe commissioned a survey with the American City Business Journals to explore attitudes and behaviors and to uncover industry trends and insights. Over 700 participants responded to the survey, evenly spread across Washington and Oregon.

The strong, diversified Puget Sound economy should help the region ride out an anticipated nationwide downturn, survey respondents say

IP, Technology, and Business Law Attorney Adds Even More Depth to Schwabe’s Industry Focus

David Boyajian, a ship captain and attorney with Schwabe, wrote the fee “bears no relationship to costs created by or services provided to passing vessels. Indeed, the vessels do not cost the Port a penny, nor do they request or receive any benefits or services from the Port of Astoria — they just get a bill.”

Come learn from the insights of over 700 industry veterans who’ve shared their thoughts and strategies for the coming year.

Scwabe attorneys, Charmin Shiely and Paige B Spratt, recognized as 2019 Women of Vision Award winners represent clients in the Real Estate and Construction, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Transportation, Ports and Maritime industry groups.

Schwabe attorneys recognized on the 2020 Best Lawyers in America list represent clients across the firm’s six core industry groups.

"It's a voluntary standard and NSS is free to ignore it," Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt PC's Brenna K. Legaard told Law360, arguing that a ruling against the organization could have chilled participation in standard-setting groups that could have found themselves open to liability.

Angie Otto of Ball Janik and Paige Spratt of Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt at the AGC Summer Convention at Salishan Resort.

Jean Back, Of Counsel with Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, is the advocacy director for the Southwest Washington Society for Human Resources Management and an officer on the board of the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

A vote on whether to allow a Grocery Outlet in Astoria has been delayed until September. Schwabe attorney Michael Robinson comments.

Bert Ray recognized as one of the top 5 percent in his field.

Prominent attorney, industry leader, and beloved member of Schwabe passed at age 65.

"The Ninth Circuit said green groups can't challenge the federal government's approval of a coal-fired plant and mine to continue operating on Navajo land because the plant's owner is a tribal entity and has sovereign immunity status."

Schwabe CEO Graciela Gomez Cowger joins the Downtown Seattle Association Board of Directors.

Tax attorney Dan Eller weighs in on opportunity zones: “It hasn’t been a tsunami of opportunity zone funds, but I continue to see activity there."

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt is saddened to announce the passing of Martha Pagel. Those of us at Schwabe will remember her caring and humble demeanor, strong work ethic, and dedication to the legal community.

Schwabe’s Derrick De Vera represented his Leadership Tomorrow class as graduation speaker. “I’ve learned to build trust and belonging by being more fearless, open, and vulnerable about who I AM. That it’s more than okay to show up FULLY. In fact, there is great influence in that.” Listen to his full speech here.

Schwabe Oregon attorneys recognized as being in the top 2.5 percent of their field.

Schwabe's CEO Graciela Gomez Cowger selected to a national list of notable attorneys. The Business Journals’ Influencers: Law spotlights attorneys who are driving business for their employers, and for their clients, in cities across the country. 

Graciela Gomez Cowger, CEO of Schwabe, received the WIBLI Female Leader of the Year Award, honoring exemplary leadership traits and significant contributions to gender equity in our region.

Congratulations to BPM Real Estate Group on their most recent project - bringing the Ritz-Carlton, additional office space, and luxury condos to Portland. Schwabe is proud to have worked with BPM on such a successful project.

Schwabe Washington attorneys recognized as being in the top five percent of their field.

Graciela Gomez Cowger, CEO of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, discusses her childhood in Tijuana, Mexico, what it means to be CEO of a law firm, and the beginning of a surprising hobby.

In Chamber USA’s 2019 rankings, Schwabe is identified as an industry leader in six practice areas: Corporate/M&A, Environment, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, General Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate.

The results of this survey reveal insights into the current state of manufacturing, what the main concerns are, and what we, as economic developers, should keep an eye on going forward.

Schwabe ranks #2 on Portland Business Journal’s annual Largest Law Firms Practicing Commercial Real Estate Law in the Portland Metro Area list. Click here to learn more about our Real Estate and Construction industry group.

Michael Cofield, Joanna Lee and Paige Spratt have been named shareholders at the firm.

Graciela Gomez Cowger named one of Portland Business Journal's Women of Influence for making "major splashes in the legal field."

“Columbia is pleased with the PTAB’s decision, which recognizes that Ventex filed the IPRs as a proxy for, on behalf of, and for the benefit of Seirus, which was apparently done to circumvent statutory requirements,” said Nika Aldrich.

A Wilsonville maker of breast milk-based food for preterm infants scored a victory in its lawsuit against a larger competitor.

Cowger, who is Hispanic, took the reins at Schwabe in 2017. She said her firm leads by example, given that “we are one of the few firms that has a person of color leading it.”

Graciela Gomez Cowger is helping Schwabe retain its status as one of the city's go-to business firms.

Autonomous vehicles, i-buyers could change the industry.

Attorney Amanda Gamblin of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt observes companies going further than what is legally required and looking at things like equity training, cultural awareness, empathy building and subconscious bias awareness training.

Columbia sued Seirus and Ventex Jan. 29 in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit fraud, abusing court process, and violating federal and Oregon state racketeering laws.