In Memoriam George D. Rives, Retired Stoel Rives Partner (1915-2014)

Key Figure in 1979 Merger that Created Stoel Rives LLP

Stoel Rives LLP, a U.S. business law firm, regrets to announce that retired partner George D. Rives has passed away at the age of 99 years.

Rives served as one of the principal architects of the 1979 merger between Davies, Biggs, Strayer, Stoel & Boley and Rives, Bonyhadi & Smith.  The merger created the current firm, which was then and continues to be Oregon’s largest law firm.  Stoel Rives has proudly carried his name ever since.

Prior to the merger, Rives Bonyhadi and its lawyers had helped shape electric utility law in Oregon for more than 60 years.  Rives, a native of Kentucky and a 1938 Yale Law School graduate, focused his practice on utility and transportation law.  He became a senior partner at what was then known as Rives and Rodgers in 1963 and served as the lead regulatory lawyer for Pacific Power & Light (later known as PacifiCorp) for many years.  Following the 1979 merger, Rives served as both Firm managing partner and chair of the Firm’s management committee.  He retired from the active practice of law in 1984.  In retirement, among other activities, he provided volunteer legal services for low income clients.

"George was an outstanding lawyer who made significant contributions to the growth of our Firm and to the Portland community," said Wally Van Valkenburg, Portland office managing partner.  "He was an exceptional leader and a generous citizen.  We send our condolences to George’s friends and family.  All of us who knew him here will miss him greatly."