Stoel Rives Announces Nine New Principals
1/5/2007

Barbara Brenner represents clients in environmental compliance and litigation. Her practice focuses on water resources, water quality and related regulatory matters involving water rights, the Endangered Species Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act. Brenner regularly represents clients before state and federal regulatory agencies, and she assists energy clients with water-related siting issues. She also has extensive litigation experience. Brenner earned her LL.M. in environmental law from Pace University School of Law (1993), her J.D. from McGeorge School of Law (1987) and her B.A. from Sonoma State University (1984).

Jennie Bricker practices natural resources law, with a focus on water law and waterways. She assists clients with real estate transactions; gas, oil and mining transactions; and the administration and interpretation of utility mortgage indentures. Recognized as one of the state's experts on navigability for title, Bricker advises riparian property owners about their rights to submerged and submersible lands on Oregon waterways. She continues to guide several clients through the administrative process of establishing their water rights in the complex Klamath Basin adjudication. In 2001, Bricker received the Burton Award for legal achievement. She is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College (J.D. magna cum laude, 1997), the University of Oregon (M.A., 1988) and the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College (B.A. with honors, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1986).

Duff Bryant is a member of the firm's Corporate practice group. His practice focuses on corporate, finance and general business matters for private companies in a wide range of industries and at various stages of growth. Bryant has represented clients in connection with domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and joint ventures. He has advised and assisted numerous clients in forming, capitalizing and maintaining corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships in the United States and abroad. Bryant also has extensive experience in secured and unsecured financings. He has been named a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics and was included in Chambers USA's America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2006). He earned his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law (1999) and his B.A. from the University of Washington (1996).

Keelin Curran advises employers on a range of complex employment issues, such as internal investigations, disability accommodation and family leave issues, union strategy issues, employment issues in mergers and acquisitions, noncompetition and executive agreements, terminations and reductions in force. She also provides training on appropriate workplace conduct and other workplace issues. She represents employers in agency charges, labor arbitrations and employment litigation. Curran has practiced in this area since 1986. She holds a J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley (1986) and a B.A. from the City University of New York (summa cum laude, 1981).

John Kauffman is a member of the firm's Corporate practice group. He has represented investors, entrepreneurs and corporate management in a variety of business and strategic matters. His work includes start-up formation and growth, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, commercial and other private financings, public securities offerings, and public company reporting and compliance. Kauffman has been named a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics, and he is the chief author of "Business Law Practice" in the Washington Lawyers' Practice Manual. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School (J.D., 1999) and the College of William and Mary (B.A. summa cum laude, 1996).

David Mortensen handles complex business litigation with an emphasis in intellectual property, antitrust, securities and real property matters. He has represented individual and business clients in appellate and trial disputes involving the protection of intellectual property, as well as in securities and antitrust disputes. His commercial litigation experience also encompasses business torts, bankruptcy, environmental contamination, federal Indian law and product liability. Mortensen earned his J.D. from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1998) and his B.A. from Brigham Young University (1995).

Cherise Oram practices federal environmental and natural resources law with an emphasis on endangered species and hydropower dam relicensing issues. She has represented a variety of public and private interests including utilities, ports, oil and gas interests, commercial fisheries, and the forestry industry in complex permitting matters. Oram advises clients on issues arising under the Endangered Species Act, Federal Power Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. She holds an LL.M. in law and marine affairs from the University of Washington School of Law (1998); a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law (1997); and a B.A. from the University of Washington (1993).

Beverly Pearman is a trial attorney who focuses on complex business litigation and environmental and natural resources litigation. She also has experience with tribal law matters. She has represented individuals, corporate clients and a tribal government in state and federal court, administrative proceedings, and arbitration. Her commercial litigation experience has primarily encompassed complex business disputes involving business torts, securities claims, noncompetition agreements and shareholder disputes. In addition, Pearman has experience with environmental contamination cases as well as citizen suits and related claims under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. with honors, 1999) and Furman University (B.A., 1992).

Deirdre Runnette focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation. She has extensive experience with class-action lawsuits, particularly those involving securities issues. Runnette also has experience in litigation involving banking, Consumer Protection Act claims, trade secrets, land use and contract claims. She has been named a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics (2004-05). She earned her J.D. with honors from the University of Montana School of Law (1997) and her B.A. cum laude from Washington State University (1991).

About Stoel Rives LLP: Stoel Rives is a business law firm providing counseling and litigation services to a wide range of clients throughout the western United States. The firm's 350 attorneys operate out of nine offices in five states. Stoel Rives is regarded as a regional leader in energy, natural resources, environmental, litigation, corporate and intellectual property law. For more information, visit www.stoel.com.