Speaker Profiles
Bryce Adams
Bryce is a shareholder in Bullivant’s insurance law group who specializes in defending multinational property insurers against bad faith claims stemming from ORS 746.230. He has written and spoken prolifically on Moody for local and national audiences ever since the Oregon Court of Appeals first propounded this doctrine in early 2022. As of 2025, his practice involves fighting Moody claims in every case he defends. Along the way, he has developed special expertise in attacking the statutory underpinnings of Moody allegations, coupled with a keen awareness that Moody alone is meaningless: what matters is how defense counsel guides the evolution of this doctrine over the next decade to create bright lines about where Moody claims can and cannot be brought.
Judge Beth Bagley
Judge Bagley was elected to the Deschutes County Circuit Court November, 2012, and took the bench January, 2013. Judge Bagley handles general civil, criminal and domestic relations cases. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Bagley was a prosecutor for 13 years, and a criminal defense attorney handling indigent defense cases for 2 years before that. Judge Bagley received her undergraduate degree from the University of California—Santa Barbara in 1994, and her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1997. Judge Bagley has lived and practiced law in Oregon since 1997. Judge Bagley is currently an executive committee officer for the Oregon Circuit Court Judges Association, was one of the founding Board Members of OAPABA (Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association), is a member of Oregon Women Lawyers and its affiliate chapter Cascade Women Lawyers, regularly provides training and education to judges and lawyers and is an active volunteer in her local Bar Association and community.
Heather Bowman
Heather Bowman became the General Counsel for the Professional Liability Fund in 2022.
Ms. Bowman received her Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law (2007) and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle Pacific University (2001). She was admitted to the Oregon state and federal bars in 2007 and the Washington State Bar Association in 2008.
Before joining the PLF as a claims attorney in 2018, Ms. Bowman was a partner at a Portland, Oregon law firm where she defended complex civil litigation matters focusing on professional liability, insurance coverage, employment discrimination, and real property disputes. She serves on the board of the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel and is an active member of Oregon Women Lawyers, the Multnomah Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. She previously served as a board member for the Oregon State Bar State Professional Responsibility Board. Ms. Bowman is an active mentor with the Oregon State Bar New Lawyer Mentoring Program and has served as a mentor through Lewis & Clark Law School and Portland State University. She co-authored the chapter on Employment Law mediation in the Oregon State Bar publication ADR in Oregon (OSB Legal Pubs 2019) and co-edited the Oregon State Bar publication Damages (OSB Legal Pubs 2016).
Chad Colton
Chad has taken nearly 30 cases to trial across the country and often serves as “parachute” trial counsel, joining cases at the mid-way point or on the eve of trial. Over the last few years, he has been lead trial counsel on some of the most high-profile jury trials in the Pacific Northwest, including defeating Nike’s eight-figure claims against NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. Chad is recognized as “a go-to lawyer for bet-the-company commercial litigation” by the country’s leading legal ranking guide, Chambers USA. He serves as lead counsel in business cases involving contracts, partnership disputes, trade secrets, fiduciary duties, intellectual property, and high-damages tort claims. He represents clients in a variety of industries, including technology, health care, agriculture, and sports and entertainment—representing or opposing A-list celebrities and major sports brands. While Chad is well-versed in all stages of litigation, his true passion is his parachute trial practice. Most commercial cases don’t go to trial. Consequently, even many of the most brilliant and sophisticated litigators haven’t had the opportunity to develop deep trial expertise. So, when business litigation actually heads to trial, clients can find themselves anxious about presenting complex business concepts to a judge or jury. That’s where Chad comes in to help. As market sources reported to Chambers, Chad is an “elite trial lawyer” who has what most litigators don’t: “actual trial experience and outstanding public speaking skills.” When called upon as parachute trial counsel, Chad and his team quickly assess the case and formulate an understandable, hard-hitting trial package that will resonate with jurors. Chad also works seamlessly with other law firms, joining the team to take on the most difficult aspects of trial so that they can focus on settlement and other critical case tasks. Chad’s ability to rapidly understand a complex case and prepare for trial is the result of nearly two decades of studying trial techniques and refining his talents through hands-on experience in the courtroom. As one client put it, “In the courtroom, Chad holds a charismatic presence of integrity with the judge and jury that delivers results and makes you proud to have him representing you.” Chad loves his craft and shares tips on trial work, depositions, and oral argument with his peers through his video series “When You Need to Win” and live seminars. Chad balances his work with his dedication to his family and (some may say) an insufferable obsession with karaoke, old Led Zeppelin albums, and playing loud guitar. He also stays active in his community, having served on the boards of directors for numerous non-profits and legal organizations, including Civics Learning Project, Up & Out, Quechua Benefit, the Technology and Corporate Counsel sections of the Oregon State Bar, and the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel.
Megan Cook
Megan Cook’s Oregon and Washington litigation practice focuses on defending personal and catastrophic injury claims. She has defended a wide variety of businesses and individuals in personal injury, construction defect, asbestos and professional liability cases. In addition, she has experience in environmental, insurance, business, real estate, and land use law.
Kirsten Curtis
Kirsten Curtis is a Shareholder in Bullivant’s Insurance group who is adept at assisting Special Investigation Units with defense of first and third-party claims. With over a decade of experience, she is a trusted advisor to coverage providers in Oregon and Washington and is known for her skill drafting coverage opinions and managing all phases of claims litigation. Kirsten has over a dozen jury and bench trials in Oregon and Washington under her belt, as well as court mandated and binding arbitrations. She sits as an arbitrator in Multnomah and Deschutes Counties in Oregon, and is also appointed as an arbitrator for UIM arbitrations. Based in Central Oregon, Kirsten brings a unique familiarity with the central and eastern Oregon jurisdiction.
Thomas Dupree
More information coming soon!
Judge James Edmonds
Jim Edmonds was appointed to the Marion County Circuit Court by Governor Brown in 2021. Prior to joining the bench, he was a civil trial lawyer for 35 years representing individuals, businesses, and organizations primarily in the areas of commercial, insurance and general tort litigation. For his entire practice, Jim was with the law firm of Clark, Marsh and Lindauer (and its successor firms). He earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Oregon and his law degree from George Washington University. For the past 10 years, he has been an adjunct law professor at Willamette College of Law currently teaching Pre Trial-Civil Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and in the past, Arbitration Law, and Insurance Law. He has been active in the community volunteering with the United Way Mid Willamette Valley (President, Board of Directors), Marion County Association of Defenders (Board), OSB Disciplinary Panel( hearings panel), OSB Committees, and the Salem Multicultural Institute (Board). He currently serves on the Uniform Trial Court Rules Committee (UTCR), Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (BHAC) and Case Management Committee. For 20 years, he coached youth basketball and soccer. Jim and his wife of 39 years (Sally) have four children and four grandchildren. Much of their time is spent around family including camping, beach visits, and outdoor activities.
Daniel Larsen
Daniel Larsen is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Intellectual Property, Commercial Litigation, and Health Care Practice Groups. Within these practice areas, Mr. Larsen advocates and provides trusted advice to his clients for most varieties of business disputes. Whether as a litigator or advisor, he guides his clients towards creative, cost-effective solutions to achieve business goals while navigating risk by balancing the business interests and economic realities unique to each of his clients. His pragmatic approach crafts solutions that are both feasible and practical that promote his clients’ interests. Mr. Larsen’s substantive expertise applies to most commercial relationships and transactions, centered on contractual and statutory obligations, duties of directors, officers, and managers of businesses, shareholder rights, intellectual property rights, particularly involving trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights, and commercial healthcare relationships. Mr. Larsen advises and litigates in both state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington. Mr. Larsen was listed in Oregon Super Lawyers in 2006 and 2011 through 2022. He has also been selected multiple times by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the field of Labor and Employment Litigation, and as a Benchmark Litigation “Future Star” since 2021. After graduating from law school cum laude, Mr. Larsen served as law clerk to the Honorable Robert E. Jones of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.
Sean McKean
Sean has been practicing law since 2020, with a focus primarily in insurance defense and coverage litigation as part of Bullivant’s casualty group, where he represents insurers in complex coverage disputes and liability claims. Since the Supreme Court’s Moody decision in 2023, Sean has represented many insurers in disputes involving extracontractual and negligence claims in contexts as varied as PIP, UIM, health insurance, and property claims. In doing so, Sean has been on the forefront of pushing the limits of Moody in regard to issues like emotional distress injuries, the availability of Moody to non-human claimants, and how much of the “physical impact rule” has survived in Moody’s wake.
Sasha Petrova
Sasha is an attorney in Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department. An experienced appellate lawyer, Sasha handles a wide range of appeals at the state and federal levels. In her litigation practice, Sasha helps clients with contract disputes, business tort litigation, and administrative proceedings. She is practiced in all aspects of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, complex motions practice, oral argument, and trial preparation. Sasha’s appellate expertise makes her a valuable member of any trial team seeking to preserve issues for appeal. Before joining Tonkon Torp, Sasha was a litigator at a national law firm for five years, focusing on complex civil litigation and appeals. Sasha also served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Hon. Chris Garrett on the Oregon Court of Appeals. Her clerking experience gave Sasha fundamental insights into how to best represent clients through the appellate process. Sasha maintains an active pro bono practice, currently centered on promoting animal rights and raising awareness about domestic violence issues. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Raphael House of Portland, a domestic violence prevention program and shelter. Outside of work, Sasha enjoys exploring Oregon’s wineries, finding new restaurants, and spending time with her family and pets.
Judge Jenna Plank
Judge Plank was appointed to the Multnomah County Circuit Court bench in 2021. A member of the Oregon State Bar since 2005, she previously practiced criminal law, handling all manner of criminal actions to include murder, felony assault, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency and dependency petitions. Judge Plank is a graduate of the University of Portland and Lewis and Clark Law School. She is an elected member of the Oregon State Bar’s House of Delegates and was previously appointed to the Oregon State Bar’s Criminal Jury Instructions Committee. She has served on various UTCR workgroups, and is a contributing author to the Oregon State Bar Books Chapter 23 2021 Revisions, and the Oregon Women’s Lawyers AdvanceSheet publication. She is assigned to Multnomah County Circuit Court’s general trial docket, presiding over both civil and criminal matters.
Ivan Resendiz-Gutierrez
Iván Resendiz Gutierrez is a litigation attorney serving the appellate, employment, and litigation needs of public and private clients, with an emphasis on supporting energy companies and K-12 and higher education institutions. As a member of the firm’s appellate, litigation, and education and employment departments, Iván helps achieve clients’ goals throughout the judicial system, from state trial courts all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. He represents organizations in some of their most significant matters, where millions and the organization can be on the line, joining trial teams as embedded appellate counsel and examining dense trial records to find the best arguments for appeal. Iván has taken a lead role in several of the firm’s most high-profile and successful matters, including handling oral argument to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Oregon Court of Appeals. In addition to his appellate practice, Iván engages in a broad litigation and counseling practice, with a particular emphasis on complex challenges involving governments, commercial issues, and compliance with federal, state (Oregon, Montana, and Washington), and local disability, discrimination, civil rights, fair housing, and public accommodations laws. When pre-litigation resolution is unsuccessful or not possible, Iván defends and represents public and private organizations on a wide range of employment and commercial matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts and administrative agencies, including appeals, breaches of contract, class actions, employee benefits litigation, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination (as well as other tort claims), and negligence. A past president of the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (the youngest in its history), Iván has been recognized by national, state, and local organizations, including receiving the Hispanic National Bar Association’s “Top Lawyers Under 40” Award, the University of Oregon School of Law’s “Outstanding Young Alumni Award,” and the Oregon State Bar President’s Diversity & Inclusion Award; being named to the Portland Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list in 2021, being listed in Oregon Super Lawyers—Rising Stars; and listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (since its first edition). After law school, Iván clerked for the Honorable Lynn R. Nakamoto at the Oregon Supreme Court and the Oregon Court Appeals.
Nathan R. Morales
Nathan Morales is an experienced trial and appellate attorney. In his career, Nathan has navigated a variety of complex business disputes on behalf of clients, focusing primarily on privacy and data security, class-action defense, and policyholder-side insurance litigation. As an appellate attorney, Nathan successfully has briefed and argued in the Oregon Court of Appeals, Oregon Supreme Court, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a member of both the firm’s global Privacy and Data Security practice and Litigation group, Nathan counsels and advises a wide range of clients on an array of privacy-related matters, including compliance with GDPR, CalCPA, and other federal and state regulatory regimes, assessment and management of third-party risk, and development of internal programs, policies, and procedures. He regularly advises and represents clients in connection with data breach and security incident planning; preparation and response, including internal investigations, notifications, and public announcements; and regulatory reporting. And he represents businesses and individuals in privacy and data security disputes and litigation, particularly in putative class actions. Because of his non-traditional pathway to law, Nathan is uniquely suited to understand and assist his client’s needs. As a former professional television and stage actor, Nathan fully understands the importance of an audience and tailoring a message to that audience—a skill he regularly uses in his trial practice. Before law school, Nathan also worked in the apparel and construction-design industries, including ownership and management of a successful apparel company with accounts in small boutiques and national retailers. Those experiences have provided Nathan with the ability to effortlessly strategize and employ a legal solution that also meets the business needs of his clients.