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Bill Berkshire

Bill Berkshire

William C. Berkshire PC
1216 SE Belmont Street
Portland, OR 97214

Phone: 1(800) 570-4237  |  Fax: (503) 233-6874
http://www.billberkshire.com

Contact Bill Berkshire

Serious Injury Claims - No Fee Unless You Win.

Legal Topic

Personal Injury

Preferred New Clients

We mostly handle car, truck, motorcycle, and uninsured motorist collisions, pedestrian injuries, and injuries from defective products.

Sub-Categories

Personal Injury
  • Car/Auto Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
Dangerous Products/Product Liability
  • Design Defects
  • Manufacturing Defects
Intentional Injuries
  • Assault & Battery
  • Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Bar Admissions

OR, Nov 1980
Bar Number: 80466

Other Court Admissions

I am admitted to practice before all Oregon and Washington Courts, including the Federal District Court.

Association Memberships

Oregon State Bar Association
Washington Bar Association

Continuing Education

I fulfill more than Bar required hours.

Papers and Publications

I published an article in the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Magazine, Side Bar.

Example Cases

Our cases run from fairly simple soft tissue injuries to traumatic brain injuries.

Education

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

School:

Denison University

City:

Granville

State:

OH

Year:

1972

Focus and Accomplishments:

Major - English
Secondary Studies - Art

 

Degree:

Juris Doctorate

School:

University of Oregon School of Law

City:

Eugene

State:

OR

Year:

1980

Focus and Accomplishments:

Law

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

Oregon; Washington

Firm Focus and History

My Firm concentrates on personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Oregon; predominantly in the Portland metropolitan area.

We Specialize In Injury Claims:

* Automobile Accidents
* Motorcycle Accidents
* Uninsured Motorist Claims
* Defective Products
* Wrongful Death

Previous Employment Summary

I graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in the spring of 1980, and began practicing law in January of 1981. At first, I had a general practice and worked in diverse fields, including personal injury, Workers' Compensation, domestic relations and criminal law. For about a year and a half, I worked for Hyatt Legal Services. In approximately 1988, I began my current practice, in which I concentrate in personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Activities and Awards

I was co-chair for two years of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association - Motor Vehicles Section.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I think client education is a great idea.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

In the injury business, my clients are not usually preparing documents. The paperwork is done by my office or myself.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

No. It is not a good idea to represent yourself in an injury claim.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I wanted a profession and I wanted to be able to help people.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

Besides my 26 years experience of practicing law, I worked construction before I became a lawyer and traveled a fair bit. My real world experience helps me to understand more about how the world works.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I'm good at negotiating, which is a fairly large part of what I do. I like helping people, and I like being able to protect people from the insurance adjustors whose job it is to settle cases as cheaply and quickly as they can.

What do you like best about your career?

I like the satisfaction of helping people and knowing that I am doing the best that I can do. Often, this satisfaction comes from representing individuals against what is typically a large insurance company.

Tell us about your law firm:

I have excellent paralegal and secretary.

What are your strengths and style?

I have 26 years of experience practicing law. We negotiate and try to settle cases when we can and go to court when we can't.

I am casual with clients, but aggressive when dealing with insurance companies.

Personal Interests:

My interests outside of the law include: whitewater rafting and kayaking, motorcycles, woodworking, music, gardening, painting and sculpture.

Office Manager/Assistant

Teri Clark

Fax

(503) 233-6874

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
After hours by appointment.

Emergency After Hours

No

Foreign Languages

My assistant, Lacey Hanson, speaks Spanish.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I do not have those; virtually all of the injury cases that we accept are taken on a contingency fee basis. I only get paid if we win.

Hourly Rates

When I do hourly cases, which is rare, I charge $275 per hour.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes.

Typical Retainer

We typically take cases on a contingency fee basis; we do not ask clients for money when they sign up with us.

Understanding Fees

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