Our peers, as well as our clients, rank us among the best litigation firms in the Pacific Northwest.

 “We cannot recommend this firm highly enough. Markowitz has excellent attorneys, the service and responsiveness is absolutely remarkable, and you will never feel like something more could have been done on your matter. If you have any significant commercial litigation in Oregon -- this is the firm you want to use.”

Elizabeth Bauer, General Counsel
C&K Market, Inc.

 “Markowitz, Herbold, Glade & Mehlhaf has fabulous commercial litigation capabilities including the grand master of them all, Dave Markowitz.”

Dick Rasmussen, former General Counsel
West Coast Bank

Many lawyers who call themselves business litigators can count on one hand the number of cases they’ve tried to verdicts. Many have never tried a case to a jury. Markowitz, Herbold, Glade & Mehlhaf attorneys have experience in the courtroom. Since 1983, when the firm began, we have argued hundreds of cases for plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts and arbitrations.

When millions of dollars are at stake, or the company’s very existence depends on the outcome of a case, we don’t entrust our clients’ care to inexperienced lawyers. MHGM attorneys are seasoned trial attorneys who know how to present a winning case to a judge and jury. Rather than engage in “scorched-earth” tactics, we have the experience to focus on the critical issues to get a positive resolution without wasting valuable time and money. Our passion for what we do shows by our success in court.

When it’s all on the line, clients need creative lawyers with experience, as well as a support team of paralegals, legal secretaries and production assistants, to go to battle quickly, efficiently and strategically. 

We recognize that our clients are integral parts of the team and include them in goal setting, decision-making and strategy development.

Both peers and clients rank us among the best trial and litigation firms in the Pacific Northwest. Our trial lawyers have mastered the art of advocacy while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, ethics and collegiality. In fact, many of our cases are referred to us by parties and lawyers we’ve opposed.

The firm is ranked first in Oregon for commercial litigation in the prestigious Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Lawyers for Business. We achieved our number one ranking because clients, as well as attorneys and judges, say that MHGM is “A great choice for incisive litigation skills and lateral thinking” and its lawyers’ trial skills are described as “phenomenal” and “effective.”

Dave Markowitz, MHGM’s founding shareholder, has been chosen a “Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year” by America’s Best Lawyers every year since the establishment of the category in 2007. Dave is also ranked by Chambers USA as one of the top “Bet-the-Company” litigators in the country.

Jury Trials

Most cases end in out-of-court settlements. We know that the best way to obtain a favorable settlement is with the negotiating strength gained from knowing the case and what the client wants to accomplish. However, unless your attorney is prepared to take your case to trial, his or her chance of obtaining a favorable settlement is diminished.

Although jury trials have become rare, MHGM lawyers are still trying those cases on a regular basis. Because of our experience, our attorneys have honed their techniques in every phase of trial practice. From jury selection and opening statements to direct examinations, cross-examinations and closing arguments, MHGM trial lawyers are effective and can adapt to changing courtroom dynamics quickly and to their client’s advantage.  

Bench Trials

Not every trial is decided by a jury. In many cases, the judge is the final decision-maker. Although similar to jury trials, these cases require a comparable, but nuanced, skill set.

Non-jury trials tend to cost less than jury trials and are typically shorter since the jury selection process is eliminated. In the absence of a jury, we know how to tell the same story, but tailored to a judge.  We don’t forget that the judge is a juror with a robe. We have tried countless court trials and have refined the techniques used to persuade the trial judge, such as creating and delivering a persuasive oral argument, designing effective demonstrative exhibits and building credibility before the court.

Arbitrations and mediations

Not all cases go to trial. Most settle prior to trial and others are adjudicated by alternative dispute resolution. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of arbitrations and mediations for clients. We are as comfortable and adept in these settings as we are in a court of law. Additionally, several of our attorneys regularly serve as arbitrators and mediators.

For more information visit our Alternative Dispute Resolution page.

Appeals

Our experienced appellate lawyers have handled many appeals in state and federal appellate court. Our attorneys have handled numerous employment, business, insurance and real estate appeals. We have also written amicus briefs for our clients who want their voices heard in matters to which they are not a party.