Litigation

Bradley Prowant, Associate in the Litigation group at the firm’s Minneapolis and Boise offices, outlines how the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) protects fruit and vegetable growers from nonpayment and unfair conduct. Enacted to level the playing field between growers and buyers, PACA offers powerful remedies, including preferred creditor status in bankruptcy, the ability to secure quick relief through the USDA, and a statutory trust that allows growers to recover proceeds from produce sales before other creditors are paid. These protections apply to fresh and frozen produce alike and are especially valuable for smaller growers dealing with larger buyers, helping ensure they receive prompt payment without the burden of drawn-out litigation.

Corey Day, an associate in Litigation and Food & Beverage at Stoel Rives, examines key legal risks for alcohol brands as they adopt post-COVID marketing strategies, including subscription models and expanded digital outreach, which carry significant state, federal, and TCPA compliance obligations. He underscores that as marketing becomes more innovative, brands must pair these efforts with rigorous regulatory and data-privacy compliance to avoid substantial liability.

Corey Day, Associate in Litigation and Food & Beverage at Stoel Rives, shares how the firm empowers associates with substantive responsibilities early in their careers. Unlike peers at larger firms who may spend years on document review, Corey highlights how he was entrusted with arguing motions, taking depositions, and participating in arbitrations well before his fifth year of practice. His experience underscores Stoel Rives’ commitment to practical, hands-on training and accelerated professional development for junior attorneys.

Tom Woods, a litigator at Stoel Rives LLP in Sacramento, explains how evolving communication technologies are increasing TCPA compliance risks, particularly around automated messaging and real-time consent revocation that can trigger costly class actions. He highlights a growing shift toward proactive compliance strategies, noting that addressing privacy, accessibility, and process gaps early is essential to reducing exposure and maintaining trust.

Tom Woods, Partner in the Litigation and Trial Practice Group at Stoel Rives, discusses a growing trend in commercial litigation involving identity theft through phishing scams. These schemes can target industries like construction and lumber, intercepting invoice communications and causing businesses to unknowingly send payments to fraudulent accounts. As a result, companies may be forced to pay twice—once to the scammer and once to the actual vendor. Woods highlights how these incidents can strain business relationships and often leave no clear party at fault, making them particularly challenging for courts to resolve.

Tom Woods, Partner in the Litigation and Trial Practice Group at Stoel Rives, outlines how enforcement and litigation under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) are evolving. While earlier cases centered on whether a company had express written consent to contact consumers, Woods notes a shift toward examining whether businesses respect revocation of consent and follow required compliance protocols—such as monitoring federal and state “Do Not Call” lists.

Nicole Hancock, Partner in the Litigation group at Stoel Rives’ Boise office, shares how practicing in Idaho’s close-knit legal market provided a foundation for building a national litigation practice. Leveraging the firm’s platform, she has represented Idaho-based clients across the country, working alongside local counsel to combine deep knowledge of client industries with jurisdiction-specific expertise. Her work includes leading a cross-office team in a record-setting, multi-month USDA modernization hearing on behalf of the National Milk Federation, resulting in significant Federal Milk Marketing Order changes.

Nicole Hancock, Partner in Stoel Rives’ Boise office, discusses the shifting litigation landscape in Idaho and beyond. Post-pandemic, she notes a marked increase in case filings and a sharp rise in jury awards, with million-dollar-plus verdicts becoming more common. Coupled with economic uncertainty, these trends are prompting both more willingness to litigate and greater motivation to settle to control risk. Hancock also examines how federal court backlogs are influencing strategy—sometimes making it advantageous to file in state court for faster resolution, or in federal court for a slower pace and the higher unanimous jury standard. She outlines how these factors are shaping client decisions on where and how to litigate in today’s environment.

Nicole Hancock, a partner in Stoel Rives’ Boise office, reflects on how artificial intelligence and other technologies are transforming the legal industry far beyond earlier shifts like the move to electronic records. She emphasizes the need for lawyers to adapt ahead of slower-moving court systems by aligning legal strategies with emerging technologies, data-driven processes, and evolving client needs.

Nicole Hancock, Partner in Stoel Rives’ Boise office, discusses how the firm helps clients push back against repeat or opportunistic lawsuits. She explains that in Idaho’s small plaintiff’s bar, certain entities can become targeted after large settlements, creating a pattern of claims that drain resources and reputations. Stoel Rives steps in when clients want to change the narrative—sending a clear message that they are not easy targets for litigation.

Vanessa Soriano Power discusses her experience defending clients against claims under Washington’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA). She explains that these claims can be brought by private parties or the Washington Attorney General, whose office has recently expanded its consumer protection efforts. Vanessa notes that her team has developed tools and practices to help clients respond to civil investigative demands and navigate changes in CPA enforcement and penalties.

Vanessa Soriano Power, a partner in Litigation at Stoel Rives, explains that intellectual property disputes persist even in uncertain technology markets because IP remains a critical asset for many companies. She describes her work advising clients on IP audits and protection strategies, as well as enforcing rights through litigation and defending against infringement claims.

Vanessa Soriano Power, a partner in Litigation at Stoel Rives, describes how manufacturers face a wide range of disputes—from vendor and supplier conflicts to long-term contracts strained by changing circumstances. She emphasizes a practical, solution-oriented approach that often focuses on resolving disputes early through negotiation and mediation, using litigation experience to help clients avoid court when possible while preserving long-term business relationships.

Maren Norton, a partner at Stoel Rives, describes her work as a trial lawyer with a diverse litigation practice focused on environmental law, healthcare, and other highly regulated industries. She handles Superfund and state-level cleanup cases, healthcare-related litigation, and matters involving government investigations and white-collar issues. Across all areas, her work centers on helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments and interactions with state and federal authorities.

Seth Row, partner and firmwide lead of Stoel Rives’ insurance recovery practice, explains how the firm helps businesses resolve coverage disputes and maximize recovery on denied or delayed insurance claims, while also advising on smart insurance procurement tied to transactions and risk management. He highlights the growing complexity of cyber insurance in particular, noting that evolving risks, regulatory obligations, exclusions, and rising premiums require careful, tailored analysis to align coverage with real-world exposure.

Misha Isaak, a partner in Litigation at Stoel Rives, discusses the evolving landscape of consumer class actions under Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act, where claims often center on alleged product misrepresentations. He highlights a key question facing Oregon courts: whether plaintiffs must show personal injury and reliance on the alleged misrepresentation to pursue a UTPA class action, an issue that continues to reshape litigation risk for businesses.

Misha Isaak, a partner in Litigation at Stoel Rives, explores how emerging First Amendment issues—driven by social media, public scrutiny, and campus protests—are reshaping litigation risks for public entities, particularly public universities. He discusses the challenge of balancing free expression with legal obligations under Title VI, the evolving guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court on public officials’ use of social media, and the need for strategic, objective-driven litigation approaches in an increasingly transparent environment