Steven M. Berne

Mr. Berne has extensive experience in setting up and representing businesses as outside general counsel. This representation has included acquisitions, sales and mergers, as well as general corporate maintenance and business litigation. He has extensive experience in collections and bankruptcies, having represented insurance and surety companies, debtors, lenders, landlords, bankruptcy committees, and general creditors. He also has a broad spectrum of experience in real estate transactions.

Practice Areas

• Business and Commercial Transactions
• Real Estate
• Suretyship
• Bankruptcy
• Trust and Estate Disputes

Admitted

• Oregon State Bar, 1985
• U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, 1985
• Washington State Bar, 2006

Education

• Brigham Young University, J.D., cum laude, 1984
• Portland State University, B.A., with honors, 1982
• Foreign Language: German

Professional Experience

• Harris Berne Christensen LLP (or predecessor), Partner, 1994–present
• Bullivant Houser Bailey et.al., Attorney and Partner, 1985–1994

Professional and Civic Activities

• American Bar Association
• Oregon State Bar Association (Debtor/Creditor and Construction Law Sections)
• Multnomah County Bar Association

Publications

• Author, "Inadequate Notice in Tax Sales," 12 Utah Bar Journal Nos. 1-6, P.33, 1984
• Author, "Saybrook Manufacturing - The Eleventh Circuit's Challenge of Texlon-Type Cross-Collateralization and the Mootness Doctrine," Vol. XII, No.4, Oregon Debtor-Creditor Newsletter at 3 (Winter 1992-93)
• Co-author, Cushman & Meeker "Construction Defaults: Rights, Duties, and Liabilities," Chapter 4

Personal

Mr. Berne is married and has four children. He has been actively involved in Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys the outdoors: an avid camper, skier, and mountain climber.