The Latest 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

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

We are Fighting for You During COVID-19.

At Kafoury & McDougal, we are doing our part to help curb the spread of the global pandemic. Although Oregon courts are closed, our office is still open. The K&M team is fighting for our current clients and taking on new clients, too. We’re working remotely to settle cases, and our team is socially distancing to help keep our community … 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

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

$4.4 Million Verdict: Largest Race Discrimination Verdict in Oregon History

  $4.4 Million Verdict Against Walmart in “Shopping While Black” Case; Company Ignored Police Warnings Regarding Security Employee’s “Pattern of False Reports” Watch on Youtube: Law&Crime On Friday, August 19, 2022, a Multnomah County jury awarded $400,000 in non-economic damages and $4 million in punitive damages against Walmart. On March 26, 2020, Michael Mangum, then 59, went to a nearby Walmart … 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