Roger K. Harris
Mr. Harris's focus has been on complex commercial/business litigation (including securities violations, director and officer liability, unfair trade practices and contract claims); governmental/regulatory/environmental claims, licensing and compliance issues (including municipalities, school districts and state agencies); and business and real property transactions (including buy/sale agreements, stock sales/reorganizations and asset financing). While at Portland General Electric and Evergreen, Mr. Harris conducted litigation and dispute resolution on a wide array of matters, including tax appeals, toxic torts, personal injury and wrongful death actions. Additionally, he negotiated and documented aircraft sales/leases, insurance claims, hydroelectric power supply contracts, fuel purchase agreements, and warranty claims for power plant equipment and avionics.
Practice Areas
- Commercial and Regulatory Litigation
- Business and Real Estate Transactions
- Construction Matters
Admitted
- Oregon State Bar, 1978
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, 1985
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1987
- U.S. District Court, Northern California, 1994
Education
- Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, Juris Doctorate, 1977. Honors: Cornelius Honor Society—Superior Scholarship, Leadership and Contribution to the Law School
- Oregon State University, Bachelor of Science, 1973. Recipient: Academic Scholarship
Professional Experience
- Harris Berne Christensen LLP (or its predecessor), Partner, 1997–present
- James, Denecke & Harris, P.C., Shareholder, 1989–1997
- Portland General Corporation, Associate General Counsel, 1984–1989
- Evergreen International Aviation, Inc., Vice President, Legal Affairs, 1982–1984
- Deputy District Attorney, Multnomah and Linn Counties, 1977–1982
Representative Cases
- Breach of Contract/Unfair Trade Practices: Successfully settled claims (after filing lawsuit) of retail gasoline operator against major oil company for wrongful franchise termination and unfair business practices
- Breach of Contract/Securities Violations/Partnership Accounting: Successfully defended primary investor in aseptic juice packaging plant against claims under equipment lease and partnership breach, recovering substantial investment and attorney fees in 10 week court trial
- Wrongful Death: Successfully defended at jury trial wrongful death (by electrocution) claim by construction worker involved in underground boring operation
- Quiet Title: Successfully established possession and title rights in agricultural tract against claims by heirs of seller in court trial
- Construction Defect: Successfully settled (after filing lawsuit) EIFS (synthetic stucco) defects claims on behalf of homeowners association
Representative Appellate Opinions
- Black, et. al v. Arizala, et. al., 182 Or App 16 (2002); affirmed 337 Or 250 (2004)
- Alto et. al. v. State Fire Marshal, 121 Or App 543 (1993); reversed 319 Or 382 (1994)
- Inn at Otter Crest v. Farwest Federal Bank, et. al., 120 Or App 125 (1993)
- Bretz v. Portland General Electric Co., 882 F.2d 411 (1989)
- Portland General Electric Co. v. Oregon Department of Revenue, 11 OTR 78 (1988)
- State v. Swee, 51 Or App 249 (1981)
Personal
Mr. Harris is married and has five grown children. He served nine years on the board of directors of the Sherwood School District, including two years as chairman. A paradox, Mr. Harris is most comfortable in his Levis and cowboy boots enjoying the St. Paul Rodeo and is a Portland Opera season ticket holder and serves on the board of directors of the Voices for the Performing Arts Foundation.
