Kirk M. Email & Phone Number

Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area

Member of executive team, responsible for advising Executive Director, Board of Directors, and department heads on all legal issues to build and enhance CIS’ products, services, and customer relations. Developed trust with other company leaders to enable the legal department to effectively serve the organizational mission in the following areas: corporate governance and compliance; supervise internal and external counsel and manage litigation; negotiate and draft contracts including SaaS and HIPPA BAAs; government relations, including including testifying before legislative committees and recruiting industry support for amicus briefing; labor and employment; compliance, insurance and enterprise risk management; and, frequently present seminars to elected officials, supervisors and other insurance executives at national conferences on the topics of employment law, litigation management, governmental relations, insurance, and contract negotiation.

Portland, Oregon Area

Rapidly implemented PreLoss employment advice and training program; program model was then duplicated by other risk pools nationwide. Supervised outside employment litigation counsel and developed trial and settlement strategy for EPL and general liability claims. Provided employment law counseling to internal clients, as well as cities and counties dispersed throughout the state, relating to all aspects of the employee life-cycle: from hiring to training and development, documentation of discipline, and termination. Frequent speaker on employment law topics such as "Top 10 Ways to Get Sued," "Extreme Makeover: Personnel Edition," "The Alphabet Soup of Leave Laws," "How to Deal With Difficult Employees," and "How to Have a Harassment and Discrimination Free Workplace." "Extreme Makeover: Personnel Edition," "The Alphabet Soup of Leave Laws," "How to Deal With Difficult Employees," and "How to Have a Harassment and Discrimination Free Workplace."

Salem, Oregon

OPEEP is a new excess insurance pool, formed to serve Oregon’s self-insured public entities and public risk pools. Prepared all founding documents, including inter-governmental agreement, trust agreement, coverage document, and bylaws. Presented excess insurance pool concept to potential members to secure initial funding and solicit commitments to place coverage with OPEEP. Interviewed brokers and reinsurers. Negotiated changes to coverage document with members’ attorneys and counsel for reinsurer. OPEEP began binding coverage on July 1, 2015. Now a Board member of OPEEP, representing CIS.

Portland, Oregon

As an adjunct business law professor, taught graduate level course on legal and ethical principles in business. Covered corporate law, administrative law, regulatory compliance, Sarbanes Oxley, intellectual property, business torts, business formation, mergers and acquisitions, contracts and litigation strategy.

Portland, Oregon Area

First chaired six-day private trial representing silica gravel company in breach of supply contract case against international metals corporation; client awarded in excess of $300,000 and its attorney fees. Second chaired defense of breach of agency agreement in four-day jury trial on behalf of American Family Insurance; jury returned defense verdict. Also first chaired numerous single day arbitrations and mediations. Responded to needs of firm by cultivating specialties in employment, drug and medical devices and business merger litigation. Mentored new associates. Presented seminars on workplace harassment, wage and hour law, and sensitivity training. Originated new employment clients, as well as new matters in the areas of bankruptcy, business litigation, business mergers and business formations.

Portland, Oregon Area

Drafted pleadings, discovery, and argued motions in employment, mass toxic tort, unfair competition, premises liability, and construction defect cases. Took and defended depositions without partner supervision. Composed memoranda opposing class certification in wage and hour, business fraud, and unfair trade practices cases. Argued numerous motions in court including motions to dismiss, to compel discovery, for summary judgment, and against class certification. Protected national insurance brokerage from TRO and preliminary injunction sought by competing national insurance brokerage over new hires’ non-competition agreements.

M.A.R., Religion: Ethics Concentration

Doctor Of Law (J.D.)

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Writing/Literature