Michelle has over 17 years experience in the legal profession and over ten years experience as an attorney in the private practice of law in Oregon. Her legal career began in 1995 as a volunteer in the Circuit Court in the State of Hawaii. As an undergraduate, Michelle interned for Fujiyama, Duffy and Fujiyama in Honolulu, Hawaii. During law school, she honed her legal skills as a law clerk for a private attorney and later for the Oregon Department of Justice. As a lawyer, Michelle has made many appearances in State and in Federal Court in Oregon, court annexed arbitration and arbitration before the International Center for Dispute Resolution. Michelle serves as an arbitrator in Lane, Marion and Multnomah Counties.
Areas of Practice:
Michelle’s practice consists of litigation in the state and federal courts, as well as international arbitration. Her areas of practice include creditors rights, contract disputes, copyrights, trademarks, patent litigation, and unlawful trade practices litigation. She is available as an arbitrator for court annexed arbitrations.
Educational Background:
- Willamette University College of Law, J.D., 2001
- University of Hawai’i at Manoa, BA, English, 1998
Personal Background:
Michelle enjoys hiking, camping and traveling. She tutors and mentors law students attending Willamette University.
Michelle served on several state and local bar committees. She is a member of SEDCOR, the Salem City Club and the Salem Area Chamber of Commcere. She is currently a board member for the Marion County Bar Association and an Elected Delegate to the Oregon State Bar House of Delegates.
Admitted to Practice Law:
- State of Oregon
- United States District Court of Oregon
- State of Idaho
- United States District Court of Idaho
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Court of International Trade
- United State Supreme Court
Community Involvement:
Michelle serves as the co-chair for the Marion-Polk Fundraiser for the Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice. She is a board member for the Salem Multicultural Institute. She also serves as a Table Captain for the YWCA Women Helping Women Luncheon. Michelle was a volunteer at Salem Alliance Foster Parent Night Out
from 2007 until 2011.
Presentations/Speaking Engagements:
December 2011 – Overview of Intellectual Property Law – Salem Association of Realtors
January 9, 2013 – Copyright Law for the Tech Savvy – Willamette Valley MLS Technology Fair Keynote Speaker
January 24, 2013 – Copyright Law in the Digital Age – Salem Association of Realtors
Awards:
2012 Lawyer of the Year – Marion-Polk Volunteer Lawers Project