Charley Merten

Charley Merten, one of Oregon’s most distinguished lawyers, became of counsel to the firm in 2007. Recognized as the father of modern Oregon employment law, Merten won more than $6 million in a whistleblower case against Mitsubishi Bank, and an $8 million jury verdict against an overreaching city housing inspector. Twice winner of the E. B. MacNaughton Civil Liberties Award from the ACLU for “eminent contributions to human rights,” he was given the Public Justice Award by fellow Oregon trial lawyers in 2003. Charley’s wide experience includes fighting the Klan in Mississippi in 1966, prosecuting murder cases, serving as director of Multnomah County Legal Aid from 1969 to 1971, and co-founding Oregon’s first public interest law firm. He is also renowned for saving Bull Run, Portland’s water supply, from the logging companies, and Portland itself from being torn asunder by stopping the proposed Mt. Hood Freeway.

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