In The News

$10.4 Million Verdict for Injuries in 2016 NW 23rd Gas Explosion Case

On October 13, 2022, a Multnomah County jury awarded several million dollars to two people who suffered physical and emotional injuries in a 2016 gas explosion in Portland, and assessed punitive damages of $4.6 million against Loy Clark Pipeline Co. Both plaintiffs were represented by Greg Kafoury and Mark McDougal of Portland.   Firefighters responded after a natural gas explosion … Continue reading

In a Raft of New Lawsuits, Black Oregonians Say Leading Retailers Profiled and Persecuted Them

The cases follow a $4.4 million shopping-while-Black verdict in Multnomah County last year. By Nigel Jaquiss, Willamette Week March 08, 2023   They hold different jobs: actor, banker, creative director, maintenance technician and sheriff’s deputy. They got detained at different stores: Home Depot, Safeway, Sephora and Walmart. But they use the same words to describe their alleged experiences: “humiliating,” “demeaning” and … Continue reading

Jury awards $1 million in Race Discrimination Case against Jacksons Food Stores

Jury Awards $1 Million to Woman Who Was Told, ‘I Don’t Serve Black People’ Rose Wakefield was ignored by an attendant at a gas station in Beaverton, Ore., near Portland, as white customers who pulled in after her were served first, according to the lawsuit.   By McKenna Oxenden Jan. 28, 2023   A woman in Oregon was awarded $1 … Continue reading

$10.4 Million Verdict for Injuries in 2016 NW 23rd Gas Explosion Case

On October 13, 2022, a Multnomah County jury awarded several million dollars to two people who suffered physical and emotional injuries in a 2016 gas explosion in Portland, and assessed punitive damages of $4.6 million against Loy Clark Pipeline Co. Both plaintiffs were represented by Greg Kafoury and Mark McDougal of Portland.   Firefighters responded after a natural gas explosion … Continue reading

JOURNALIST SUES CITY OF MEDFORD AND JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON, FOR UNLAWFULLY ARRESTING HER WHILE SHE WAS REPORTING ON A “HOMELESS SWEEP”

On September 20, 2022, April Ehrlich, an award-winning Oregon journalist, sued the City of Medford and Jackson County for violating her First and Fourth Amendment rights. On September 22, 2020, Medford city police and a Jackson County probation officer arrested Ms. Ehrlich while she was reporting for Jefferson Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, on the police sweep of an encampment … Continue reading

‘Shopping while Black’: Walmart ordered to pay Portland area man $4.4M for summoning police on bogus charges

  A Multnomah County jury has slapped Walmart with $4.4 million in damages after a Portland area man said in a lawsuit that a theft prevention employee racially profiled him for “shopping while Black” and tried to have him jailed on bogus charges. Michael Mangum said he felt “disrespected and embarrassed” after a worker at the Wood Village Walmart began … Continue reading

Police Brutality: Largest Verdict in Portland History

Today, the Portland City Council unanimously approved a $250,000 settlement for a former Portland Police Background Investigator after she was sexually harassed, discriminated, and retaliated against by former Portland Police Officer Robert Bruders. In 2014, a Portland jury awarded the largest police excessive force verdict in Multnomah County history—$562,000—to Jason Cox after he was savagely beaten by three Portland Police … Continue reading

Lawsuit: Black Portland Dad Hit with Baton by White Portland Homicide Detective

Elijah Warren, a Black father, filed a lawsuit today against the City of Portland and Detective Erik Kammerer. The Portland law firm of Kafoury & McDougal filed the suit with two claims: civil battery and negligence. On September 5, Mr. Warren was inside his home in Southeast Portland on the 100th night of Portland’s Civil Rights Summer of 2020. Outside, Portland … Continue reading

Fourth Victim Alleges Sex Abuse by Former Deep Creek Elementary Principal Jeff Hays

Today, the law office of Kafoury & McDougal filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former student of Deep Creek Elementary against the Gresham-Barlow School District, alleging that he was sexually abused as a child by principal Jeff Hays. Under pseudonym, K.A., is the fourth victim to come forward with claims of sexual abuse against Hays. From 2005 to 2009, … Continue reading

Lawsuit: Portland Police Officer, Demoted to Desk Duty after Record Brutality Jury Verdict, Sexually Harassed Female Employee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2020 PRESS PACKET Today, the Portland law office of Kafoury & McDougal filed a complaint for sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation on behalf of a former Portland Police Background Investigator. In 2014, a Portland jury awarded the largest police excessive force verdict in city history—$562,000—to Jason Cox after he was savagely beaten by Portland Police … Continue reading