Lathen Brian Neil

A partner at Swanson, Lathen, Prestwich, PC, Brian N. Lathen focuses his practice on personal injury and wrongful death litigation. He represents clients throughout the state from the firms office in Salem, Oregon. Admitted to practice before all Oregon state courts since 2004, Mr. Lathen is also admitted to practice before the U. S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Mr. Lathen provides advice and counsel to people who have incurred economic and non-economic losses due to the negligence of other parties. In this regard, a significant portion of his caseload has involved truck and other motor vehicle crashes. However, his experience has also included sexual abuse, defective products, animal attacks, premises liability, assault and battery, and medical malpractice. Regardless of the event that led to the cause of action, Mr. Lathen provides aggressive advocacy to his clients. He has obtained significant compensation on their behalf through both jury verdicts and settlements that he has negotiated out of court. His successful track record has earned him the respect of his colleagues, including a Superb peer review rating through AVVO. In addition, Mr. Lathen has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40. Mr. Lathen also has been selected as an Oregon Super Lawyer. After attending Linfield College for a year, Mr. Lathen spent two years on a church mission in Argentina, where he became fluent in Spanish. Upon his return, he enrolled at the University of Oregon and, in 2001, received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies. He then pursued his legal education at Willamette University College of Law, clerking for his current firm before being awarded his Juris Doctor in 2004. Mr. Lathen tried his first case to a jury in his third year of law school. In his early 30s, he obtained his first verdict in excess of one million dollars. Mr. Lathens professional memberships include the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. He is also an active member of the Marion County Bar Association, where he served as vice president in the past. Mr. Lathen is married and the father of four children. He volunteers as a coach for various sports his children play. In his free time, Mr. Lathen enjoys playing golf and basketball. He currently spends several hours a week volunteering in his church.