Leta Elizabeth Gorman

Ms. Gorman is an accomplished litigator with over 28 first chair trials in state and federal courts in the Pacific Northwest. She has been included in the Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, acknowledged by Best Lawyers in America, and included in Oregon Super Lawyers since 2011. Ms. Gorman holds an AV Preeminent™ Attorney Peer Review Rating and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ (Martindale-Hubbell). She is an active participant on committees and associations including the American Bar Association and the International Association of Defense Counsel, both of which indicate engagement with evolving legal standards and regulations. Ms. Gorman has a J. D., cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law and a B. A. with Honors, from the University of Washington. She is admitted to practice in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, U. S. District Court, District of Oregon, U. S. District Court, Western District of Washington, U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, U. S. District Court, District of Idaho, U. S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and the U. S. Supreme Court. Awards and Honors: 2013 Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers AV® Preeminent™ Rating- Martindale-Hubbell® Arbitrator on the AAA Construction and Commercial Neutrals Panel IADC Joan Fullam Irick Award, 2011 (For exceptional work as Committee Chair) Oregon Super Lawyers, 2011-2020, Personal Injury, Product Liability Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (2011- 2020, 2024, Product Liability Litigation) 2009 Award of Merit Recipient, Multnomah Bar Association Volunteer of Distinction, AFS, 2013 Representative and Reported Cases Montara Owners Association v. La Noue Development, LLC, 259 Or. App. 657,317 P.3d 257 (2013) Montara Owners Association v. La Noue Development, LLC, 357 Or. 333, 353 P.3d 563 (2015) Recent representations include: Local Counsel for national product manufacturers. Defeated two appeals to the Washington Supreme Court. Successfully represented student in USDC in a case involving hazing and bullying. Jury verdict for student. Won a motion for summary judgment motion for the Port of Portland in case involving asbestos. Represented apartment management company in multiple state lawsuits involving allegations of personal injury because of mold exposure. Represented Deere & Company in lawsuit involving allegations of a defective Obtained directed verdict on one claim and a defense verdict on the remaining claims at trial. Served as local counsel for litigation involving a wide range of pharmaceuticals. Obtained verdicts in favor of the developer and general contractor and against three subcontractors following five-week trial. Defended chemical plant in case involving accidental release of hydrochloric acid. Obtained defense verdict at trial. Served as local counsel to General Motors and Ford Motor Served as local counsel to Dow Agrosciences in cases involving pest management. Represented the Trane Company in a case where the plaintiff asserted claims of product defect. Obtained directed verdict on some claims and jury verdict on remaining. Sample Articles and Presentations Speaker and Co-Author, Discovery from Third-Parties, ABA Women in Product Liability Committee (October 2022) Speaker, Ethical Responsibility: Making a Difference, Oregon State University (February 2020) Speaker, From the Living Room to the Bedroom and Beyond: Smart Products Are Everywhere, DRI Product Liability Conference (February 2018) Author, The Era of the Internet of Things: Can Product Liability Laws Keep Up? IADC Defense Counsel Journal, 84, No. 3 (2017) Co-Author, Model Jury Instructions: Product Liability, American Bar Association (2017) Author (Chapter 3, Section 2), Responding to the Complaint - Answer and Affirmative Defenses, Defense Counsel Journal Speaker & Author, Using Effective Remedies to Combat Rambo Litigation, How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator, National Business Institute (December 2015) Speaker & Author, Dirty Tricks That You Need to Look Out For, How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator, National Business Institute (December 2015) Speaker & Author, Current Trends in Insurance Coverage & Litigation of CDs, Construction Defect and Dispute Conference (September 2015) Author, Prejudice Required or Presumed? Proposed Amendment to FRCP 37(e) versus Sekisui American Corp. v. Hart (October 2013) Co-Author, United States National Security: Biometrics and Privacy in Iraq, IADC Privacy Project Journal (2011) Author & Moderator, What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know (October 2010) Speaker & Author, Preserving Attorney-Client Privilege and Controlling Discovery, IADC Corporate Counsel College (April 2010) Faculty Member, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy (2010) Author & Moderator, What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know (May 2008) Author, Rx for the Times? IADC Committee Newsletter (March 2009) Author & Moderator, Attorney-Client Privilege: How In-House Counsel and Multi-National Companies Can Protect Privileged Conversations, IADC Webinar (January 2009) Author, Dont Point the Gun at the Jury and Other Practical Tips for Presenting Demonstrative Exhibits at Trial, Defense Research Institute Trial Tactics Committee Newsletter (Fall 2007) Author, West Virginia Rejects Learned Intermediary Doctrine, IADC Newsletter (December 2007) Co-Author, Does the Preemption Preamble Preempt State Law Product Liability Claims? American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Hot Topics (October 2006) Co-Author, Spoliation of Medical Devices: The Case for Dismissal, IADC Newsletter (February 2006) Speaker & Co-Author, Construction Law and Litigation, Casualty Insurance and Product Liability, Defective Products Incorporated into a Construction Project: Whos Left Holding the Bag? IADC Midyear Meeting (2006) Co-Author, Warnings Monograph, American Bar Association (2005) Co-Author, Extraordinary Damages Monograph, International Association of Defense Counsel (2005) Speaker & Co-Author, Getting Your Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted into Court in Oregon, National Business Institute (2005) Co-Author, Voluntary Medical Device Recalls: How To and Why, IADC Newsletter (2004)