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, 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, 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, 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.

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.

When businesses face major losses—fires, environmental liabilities, cyberattacks—insurance is supposed to be the safety net. But what happens when claims are denied or delayed?

Misha Isaak, a litigation partner at Stoel Rives, discusses how evolving social and technological trends are reshaping the legal landscape for public entities. He highlights the growing complexity of First Amendment issues in the age of social media, especially for public universities balancing free expression with obligations under Title VI to maintain safe learning environments. Isaak also emphasizes the unique scrutiny faced by public institutions, whose actions often unfold in the public eye, and explains how effective litigation strategy is ultimately about solving clients’ problems—whether through settlement, creative resolution, or trial.