Steve provides clients with responsive, effective, and efficient solutions to complicated problems. Steve’s litigation practice focuses on complex business, securities, insurance coverage, and consumer disputes. He also regularly provides counsel to progressive causes and candidates regarding Oregon and local elections law.

Steve represents both individuals and institutions, predominantly as plaintiffs, in state and federal trial courts, before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and before other arbitration and regulatory bodies. He has briefed and argued appellate matters before the Oregon Court of Appeals, the Oregon Supreme Court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Steve has also served as an arbitrator the past several years. His clients value his straightforward but strategic approach to resolving disputes both in and out of the courtroom, and his special expertise in navigating politically sensitive matters.

Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1994

Amherst College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1989

Oregon State Bar, 1995

U.S. District Court, Oregon

U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Stoll Berne
Shareholder, 2014-present
Of Counsel, 2001-2008; 2010-2013

Our Oregon
Counsel and Research Director, 2008-2010

Steven C. Berman, Attorney
Sole Practitioner, 1999-2001

Ball Janik LLP
Associate, 1997-1999

Hon. Susan P. Graber (Oregon Supreme Court)
Judicial Law Clerk, 1994-1996

Oregon State Bar
House of Delegates, Region 5, 2018-2020
Procedure and Practice Committee, 2012-2015; Chair, 2015

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Board of Governors, 2016-present
Business Litigation Committee, Co-Chair, 2012-2015
Amicus Committee, 2002-2004
New Lawyers’ Committee, 2001-2002

Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger
Board of Directors, 2002-2005

Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Board of Directors, 2009-2015

WaterWatch of Oregon
Board of Directors, 2005-2010

“Pretrial and ORCP 21 Motions,” author, Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation, 2020 Edition

Practice Areas

Appellate

Stoll Berne's attorneys provide expert advice to clients on appellate issues at every stage of our representation. The firm's attorneys have appeared before federal circuit courts of appeal throughout the United States and the Oregon appellate courts.

Business Litigation

From everyday contract disputes to bet-the-company litigation, our litigation team works to understand each party's priorities and to create a solution that best serves you.

Class Actions

As Oregon's leading plaintiffs'-side class actions firm, we help our clients to level the playing field and find justice. We have earned our reputation and work hard for our clients.

Elections & Government Law

We provide advice and counsel to political campaigns, candidates, and individuals involved in state and local political or governmental processes.

Internal Investigations

We specialize in complex independent investigations of public bodies and private companies. Our deep experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants enables us to approach investigations without bias.

Lawyer, Accountant & Professional Malpractice

We represent clients in disputes with attorneys, accountants, auditors, insurance brokers, stock brokers, real estate professionals, and many other professionals.

Securities Compliance & Defense

We represent a number of select national, regional, and local securities broker-dealers and brokers in disputes with customers, with other broker-dealers, and before regulators.

Securities Litigation

Stoll Berne is Oregon's premier securities litigation firm. We have represented as many or more investors in securities and financial advisor fraud cases than any other firm in Oregon and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.

Representative Cases

OPERF vs. Marsh

In a securities fraud lawsuit alleging that the defendant misrepresented key information about its services and finances, a team of Stoll Berne attorneys represented the lead plaintiff State of Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund.

Twist Architecture & Design, Inc. vs. Oregon Board of Architect Examiners

Steve Berman represented the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), which appeared as amicus curiae in the Oregon Supreme Court in a petition for review of a Board of Architects order imposing sanctions on an architecture firm and two of its principals.

Tax Credit Application Lawsuit

Stoll Berne helped client Quicksilver Contracting Co. obtain over $720,000 in biomass collector tax credits. In 2012, the Department of Energy denied Quicksilver's application for tax credits.

Multinational Steel and Trading Company Representation

Over the course of ten years, Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a multinational steel and trading company and its principal in litigation across the globe.

Mutual Fund Securities Fraud

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman successfully prosecuted a securities fraud case for a Waddell & Reed mutual fund.

Oregon’s Eviction Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s eviction ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating wildfires, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent.

Oregon’s Foreclosure Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s foreclosure ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented lenders from foreclosing on borrowers or charging fees to borrowers for late payments.

Rosenblum, et al. vs. Oracle America, Inc., et al.

Steve Berman represented two of former Governor Kitzhaber's political advisors in a $33 million lawsuit brought against them by tech giant Oracle.

Insurance Coverage Disputes

On many occasions, the firm has successfully obtained tens of millions of dollars of insurance coverage under disputed D&O policies. 

Blue-Green Algae Contract Dispute

Rob Shlachter and Steve Berman successfully defended Klamath Algae Products in a three-week jury trial, one of the longest civil jury trials in Klamath County history.

Multinational Steel and Trading Company Representation

Over the course of ten years, Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a multinational steel and trading company and its principal in litigation across the globe.

Oregon’s Eviction Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s eviction ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating wildfires, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent.

Oregon’s Foreclosure Ban

Stoll Berne attorneys Steve Berman and Keith Ketterling, acting as special assistant attorneys general, defended a constitutional challenge to Oregon’s foreclosure ban. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon legislature enacted a law that temporarily prevented lenders from foreclosing on borrowers or charging fees to borrowers for late payments.

Ballot Initiative Lawsuit

In January 2018, two days after the Oregon Secretary of State implemented new rules changing how signatures could be gathered for statewide initiative petitions, Steve Berman filed a lawsuit on behalf of an Oregon voter alleging that the new rules were illegal and that the Secretary of State lacked the authority to implement the rules.

Statewide Initiatives & Referenda Ballot Title Challenges

Stoll Berne's Steve Berman frequently represents progressive groups and individuals before the Oregon Supreme Court in challenges to ballot titles issued for statewide initiatives and referenda.

PPS Lead-in-Water Investigation

The Portland Public School Board of Education hired Stoll Berne attorneys Tim DeJong and Steve Berman to conduct an investigation regarding the district's practices and protocols for testing for lead in water and disclosing information to the public about lead in water at schools and buildings.

Rosenblum, et al. vs. Oracle America, Inc., et al.

Steve Berman represented two of former Governor Kitzhaber's political advisors in a $33 million lawsuit brought against them by tech giant Oracle.

GMO Labeling Initiative Campaign

Steve Berman provided legal advice and counsel to a 2014 statewide GMO labeling initiative campaign.

Recreational Marijuana Legalization Initiative Campaign

Stoll Berne attorney Steve Berman represented the successful statewide recreational marijuana legalization initiative campaign through all phases of the political process, from the filing of the initiative through the November 2014 statewide general election.

Tax Credit Application Lawsuit

Stoll Berne helped client Quicksilver Contracting Co. obtain over $720,000 in biomass collector tax credits. In 2012, the Department of Energy denied Quicksilver's application for tax credits.

Natural Resource Damage and Environmental Contamination

As Special Assistant Attorneys General for the State of Oregon, Stoll Berne, along with co-counsel Keller Rohrback, worked with Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and attorneys from the Oregon Department of Justice on claims against Monsanto seeking recovery for damage caused to Oregon’s wildlife and environment by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

PPS Lead-in-Water Investigation

The Portland Public School Board of Education hired Stoll Berne attorneys Tim DeJong and Steve Berman to conduct an investigation regarding the district's practices and protocols for testing for lead in water and disclosing information to the public about lead in water at schools and buildings.

Parking Meter Bribery Investigation

The City of Portland hired Stoll Berne attorney Steve Berman to determine whether the company that sold the parking meters (and whose employees had engaged in the bribery) had undertaken reasonable efforts and conducted a sufficient investigation to discover if its parent company or its related entities knew about or participated in the bribery.

PPS Lead-in-Water Investigation

The Portland Public School Board of Education hired Stoll Berne attorneys Tim DeJong and Steve Berman to conduct an investigation regarding the district's practices and protocols for testing for lead in water and disclosing information to the public about lead in water at schools and buildings.

Pre-Litigation Resolution on Behalf of Broker-Dealer

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a regional broker-dealer in pre-litigation resolution of claims arising out of the broker-dealer’s agent's sales of securities.

Broker-Dealer Defense of Breach of Contract Claim

Steve Berman successfully defended a regional broker-dealer in a breach of contract and various tort claims brought by a terminated financial advisor.

OPERF vs. Marsh

In a securities fraud lawsuit alleging that the defendant misrepresented key information about its services and finances, a team of Stoll Berne attorneys represented the lead plaintiff State of Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund.

Multinational Steel and Trading Company Representation

Over the course of ten years, Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman represented a multinational steel and trading company and its principal in litigation across the globe.

Mutual Fund Securities Fraud

Stoll Berne attorneys Keith Ketterling and Steve Berman successfully prosecuted a securities fraud case for a Waddell & Reed mutual fund.

Articles

Summer 2019 – “7 Ways to Obtain Coverage in Business Litigation,” Trial Lawyer

Stoll Berne attorneys Lydia Anderson-Dana and Steven Berman co-authored an article in the Summer 2019 edition of the Trial Lawyer, a quarterly magazine of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association.

Spring 2017 – “Who’s Watching the Nest Egg?” OTLA Trial Lawyer

Steve Berman recently published an article in the Spring 2017 edition of the OTLA Trial Lawyer magazine.

June 2015 – “Risks in Joining Legal and Equitable Claims in Litigation,” Oregon State Bar’s Litigation Journal

Steve Berman’s article on risks with pursuing both legal and equitable claims in breach of contract cases was published in the Spring 2015 edition of the Oregon State Bar’s Litigation Journal. 

August 10, 2012, “Bicycle Commuting Succeeds, Coffee Grounds Fail,” Sustainable Business Oregon

Steven Berman writes about Stoll Berne’s sustainability efforts and finding success by concentrating on things that are tied to our identities, goals and behaviors.

June 15, 2012 – “Contracting with Consultants,” Portland Business Journal

Steven Berman and Scott Shorr discuss some of the legal issues consultants and businesses should be aware of when they enter work with each other.

September 16, 2011 – “Businesses Take Advantage of Statute Meant to Aid Citizens,” Portland Business Journal

Steven Berman discusses and explains how Oregon’s anti-SLAPP law protects citizens’ rights to speak and participate in public debate.  However, that law can also be used as a defense weapon […]

News

Stoll Berne Attorneys Rank in The Best Lawyers in America 2024

Stoll Berne is excited to announce that fifteen of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2024® in 18 different categories.

Oregon Super Lawyers 2023 Recognizes Stoll Berne Lawyers

Ten individual Stoll Berne attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in their 2023 Oregon Super Lawyers edition.

Nearly $700 Million Settlement Reached by State of Oregon in Monsanto PCB Contamination Lawsuit

Stoll Berne, as Special Assistant Attorney General to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and the Oregon Department of Justice, along with its partners at Seattle’s Keller Rohrback, are pleased to announce the settlement of State of Oregon v Monsanto for the amount of $698,000,000 ($698 Million).

Fifteen Stoll Berne Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

Stoll Berne is excited to announce that fifteen of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2023©.

Oregon Super Lawyers 2022 Recognizes Stoll Berne Lawyers

Thirteen individual Stoll Berne attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in their 2022 Oregon Super Lawyers edition.

Seventeen Stoll Berne Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2022

Stoll Berne is excited to announce that seventeen of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©2022.

Everytown Law Joins Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance Lawsuit

Stoll Berne, along with Everytown Law, is representing several concerned citizens seeking to invalidate a “Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance” in Columbia County, OR.

Sixteen Stoll Berne Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2021

Stoll Berne is excited to announce that fifteen of our attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©2021 as well as four Shareholders, Steven Berman, Timothy DeJong, Keith Ketterling, and Steve Larson, named as Portland, Oregon’s Lawyers of the Year.

Oregon Super Lawyers 2020 Recognizes Stoll Berne Lawyers

Eleven individual Stoll Berne attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in their 2020 Oregon Super Lawyers edition.

Beast Files Breach of Contract Claim Against Insurer

A nationwide federal class action was filed in a breach of contract lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon against Berkley North Pacific Group, Berkley Insurance Company, W.R. Berkley Corporation, and Continental Western Insurance Company. The action is filed on behalf of James Beard award-winning chef Naomi Pomeroy’s celebrated restaurant Beast and all similarly-situated restaurants with business interruption insurance from the insurers.

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Awards

Benchmark Litigation
2024

Martindale-Hubbell
AV* Rated

Oregon Super Lawyers
2012-2023

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Arthur H. Bryant Public Justice Award, 2005

The Best Lawyers in America®
2015-2024
Lawyer of the Year, Portland: Litigation – Antitrust, 2021
Lawyer of the Year, Portland: Litigation – Insurance, 2019

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