Why I Practice Law
Jeff Merrick loves the law and loves helping people as a lawyer. He brings a breadth and depth of experience to bear on matters that are important to people, sometimes the most important turning points in their lives.
JEFF MERRICK, ATTORNEY AND MEDIATOR | 503-665-4234
Education
Stanford University
B.A., Economics & Political Science
University of Minnesota School of Law
Juris Doctor, with honors
Associate Editor, Minnesota Law Review
Northwestern School of Law | Lewis & Clark College
Master of Laws, with honors
Merrick Law Firm – 2000 to Date.
After sixteen years practicing law with and against some of the best attorneys in the nation, Jeff Merrick continued practicing law in his own firm beginning in 2000.
Currently, Jeff Merrick, P.C. provides counsel to people and business arising from problems with:
- Lawyers (legal malpractice / fraud / breach of fiduciary duty)
- Nuisance – claims against bad neighbors
- Public Records – Public bodies withholding records
- Liquor Liability – claims against bars and drunk drivers
- Personal Injury to Children
Work Experience, 1990s
In 1992, Jeff joined the firm of Williams and Troutwine, which became Williams, Merrick, Dailey and O’Leary. There, Jeff represented injured people, locally and nationally, with and against the best lawyers in the country, in some of the most complex litigation ever seen in Oregon and the United States. Examples of his work include the following:
- Represented more than 200 homeowners in The Capes litigation, which involved landslide and construction defect claims on the Oregon Coast.
- Pharmaceutical product liability. Attorney Merrick was the first lawyer to file and settle a Fen-Phen case, before fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market and before commencement of the multidistrict litigation. I represented multidistrict litigation plaintiffs hurt by breast implants and Norplant.
- National class action alleging consumer fraud against Bausch & Lomb.
- Defended assisted suicide law on behalf of terminally ill patients. Created trial court record from which to argue the challengers lacked standing
Jeff Merrick and his team has also represented individuals on matters involving employment law, motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, product liability and other civil cases.
Work Experience, 1980s
Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer appointed Jeff Merrick to a one-year term in the honors program for the Oregon Department of Justice, where he defended the state, mostly in employment law and motor vehicle cases.
Next, Jeff worked with Miller, Nash, Wiener, Hager & Carlsen, as an associate in the labor law department, where he supported partners with legal research and case preparation in the areas of employment law and traditional labor law.
Jeff moved on to Allen, Kilmer, Schrader, Yazbeck & Chenoweth, P.C., from 1987 to 1992. There, his law practice included insurance defense and subrogation, including product liability and motor vehicle accidents. Other significant areas of law included employment law and challenging governmental action or participating in governmental processes on behalf of regulated entities, specifically, ambulance companies, taxicab companies, and even a professional wrestling promoter.
Professional Activities – Current
Panel Mediator for US District Court for Oregon
Mediator for Oregon State Courts – general civil
Panel Mediator for Oregon Patient Safety Commission (re: medical malpractice questions)
Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Professional Activities – Past
Panel Mediator for American Arbitration Association
Multnomah Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee
Uniform Civil Jury Instruction Committee, which drafts jury instructions for judges to use.
Council on Court Procedures, which drafts Oregon’s Rules of Civil Procedure
Oregon State Bar House of Delegates, which regulates Oregon Attorneys.
Chair – Oregon State Bar Civil Rights Section
Executive Committee – Oregon State Bar Civil Rights Section
Executive Committee – Oregon State Bar Labor Law Section
Executive Committee – Product Liability Section of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Adjunct Professor of Law, Northwestern School of Law (taught toxic torts class)
Adjunct Professor, Portland State University, School of Business Administration (taught undergraduate business law class)
Member of the Safe Kids Legislative Committee, which consists mostly of health care professionals who seek legislative improvements to protect children
Member of Portland State University Human Subjects Research Review Committee. The committee reviewed research proposals to insure compliance with informed consent and ethical standards.
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