Michelle has almost 20 years experience in the legal profession and over nineteen 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 Federal Courts in Oregon, court annexed arbitration and arbitration before the International Center for Dispute Resolution.
Michelle serves as an arbitrator in Marion and Multnomah counties and FINRA. She is also on the court appointed panels for domestic relations mediator in Marion and Polk counties. She is a Parenting Time Coordinator serving the Willamette Valley Area.
Prior Areas of Practice:
Michelle’s practice consists of litigation in state and federal courts, as well as international arbitration. Her areas of practice include creditors’ rights, contract disputes, family law, criminal law, copyrights, trademarks, patent litigation and unlawful trade practices litigation.
Current Areas of Practice: Michelle accepts appointments an arbitrator for court annexed arbitrations and as a mediator in domestic relations (court sponsored and privately retained.) Michelle is also a Parenting Time Coordinator with limited availability. Please contact the office before submitting an Order Appointing Michelle as a Parenting Time Coordinator.
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 and is active in the community. She is a volunteer mediator with Neighbor to Neighbor and serves as a member on the Oregon State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.
Admitted to Practice Law:
- State of Oregon
- United States District Court of Oregon
- 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 was a board member for the Salem Multicultural Institute. 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 Lawyers Project
