James N. Westwood
Experience
Jim Westwood is Senior Counsel to the firm and concentrates his practice in state and
federal appellate courts. Well known as a constitutional scholar, Jim has handled
nearly 200 appeals, including important cases in state and federal constitutional law,
insurance, banking, energy, administrative law and punitive damages law.
Jim was recently selected to receive the prestigious 2012 Legal Citizen of the Year
award from the Classroom Law Project, a Portland non-profit dedicated to teaching
students how to become active citizens.
Previously, Jim was partner and associate at Miller Nash LLP (1978-1999, 1974-1976),
and assistant to the president at Portland State University (1976-1978).
Senior Counsel
A native Oregonian, Jim has worked as a television meteorologist and served as an
officer in the U.S. Navy (Naval Security Group) in Southeast Asia.
Portland, OR
(503) 294-9187 direct
Representative Work
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(503) 220-2480 fax
Gearhart v. Public Utility Commission and Portland General Electric Company,
356 Or 216 (2014) (Utility ratemaking; administrative agency authority)
james.westwood@stoel.com
Richards v. American Medical Response Northwest, 172 Wn App 1022 (2012)
Education
(Wrongful death; respondeat superior)
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Columbia University, J.D., 1974
Oregon Firearms Education Foundation v. State Board of Higher Education, 245
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Portland State University, B.A., 1967
Or App 713, 264 P3d 160 (2011) (Administrative procedure; regulation of firearms
on state university campuses)
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Matson v. Oregon Arena Corp., 242 Or App 520, 256 P3d 161 (2011) (Personal
injury; premises liability)
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Emerald Steel Fabricators v. BOLI, 348 Or 159, 230 P3d 518 (2010) (Employee use
of medical marijuana – Amicus brief for Pacific Legal Foundation and National
Federation of Independent Business)
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Pendleton School District 16R v. State of Oregon, 347 Or 344, 220 P3d 744 (2009)
(Public school funding; Oregon constitutional law)
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Goddard v. Farmers Insurance Company, 344 Or 232, 179 P3d 645 (2007) punitive damages under Oregon law.
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Friends of Parrett Mountain v. NW Natural, 336 Or 93, 79 P3d 869 (2003) - energy
facility siting.
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Hensley v. NW Permanente, 258 F3d 86 (9th Cir 2001) - ERISA.
Admissions
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Oregon
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U.S. Supreme Court
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U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Eighth,
Ninth, Tenth, Federal and District of
Columbia Circuits
James N. Westwood
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PGE v. Duncan Weinberg, 162 Or App 265, 986 P2d 35 (1999) - legal ethics.
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Harris v. American Air Lines, 55 F3d 1472 (9th Cir 1995) - federal preemption of state tort law.
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Harper v. Federal Land Bank of Spokane, 878 F2d 1172 (9th Cir 1989) - private rights of action under federal statutes.
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Andor v. United Air Lines, 303 Or 505, 739 P2d 18 (1987) - corporate punitive damages.
Professional Honors and Activities
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Listed in Best Lawyers in America© (currently: Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation), 1998-2016
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Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, since 1993
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Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers® (Appellate, Business Litigation, Energy & Natural Resources), 2006-2015
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Lifetime Fellow, American Bar Foundation
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Past-Chair, Constitutional Law Section, Oregon State Bar
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Past Chair, Appellate Practice Section, Oregon State Bar
Publications
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Pleading and Practice, chapter 38 (Mandamus), Oregon State Bar
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Co-Editor, Appeal and Review, Oregon State Bar
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Appellate Practice in Federal and State Courts, chapter 12 (Appellate Decision-Making), Law Journal Press
Civic Activities
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Member and past President, 1991-1992, City Club of Portland
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Board Member, 1998-2002, Oregon Classroom Law Project
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Past President, Portland State University Alumni Board
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Volunteer lawyer, CASA for Children, (Board Member, 2006-present)
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Board Member, Multnomah Bar Foundation, 2009-2012
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Volunteer coach, "We the People" Constitution teams at Grant High School and de la Salle North Catholic High School