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Elizabeth Lampson

shareholder | portland | LICENSED IN Oregon, Washington, & California
(503) 222-4422 LinkedIn Email (503) 222-4428 vCard

“Personal, genuine communication with all members of a litigation matter is key to managing the litigation process effectively.”

United in advocacy

Elizabeth Lampson was first licensed in California over twenty years ago – and joined our firm as a result of trying a case against another Davis Rothwell attorney. The two lawyers were able to find a collaborative approach, even in advocacy, for the benefits of their respective clients – and the jury found a third party at fault. What drew her to the firm, and what remains important to her career as a litigator today, is the quality and integrity of the lawyers at Davis Rothwell, and the privilege to defend complex cases.

Elizabeth has extensive jury and judge trial as well as arbitration experience, and is also a frequent speaker at industry and continuing education events. Her clients appreciate her ability to prevail at trial – achieving both business wins and gratifying conclusions for issues that are often complex and emotional.

Her volunteer activities and three kids’ sports events keep her very busy when not at work – but she finds time to run, enjoy good food, wine, and company, and take advantage of the gorgeous Northwest.

RECOGNITION:

Education

  • Southwestern University School of Law – J.D., Order of Coif, 1993
  • University of California at Berkeley – B.A., 1990

Bar / Court Admissions

  • California State Bar, 1993
  • Oregon State Bar, 1997
  • Washington State Bar, 1998
  • US District Court, Oregon, 1993
  • US District Court, Central District, California, 1993
  • US District Court, Northern District, California, 1993
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1994

Organizational Memberships

  • California State Bar Association
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Oregon State Bar Association
  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
  • Oregon Women Lawyers, Queen’s Bench Chapter
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
  • Top Construction Lawyers, Fellow

Professional & Civic Involvement

  • Speaker: Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Fall Seminar 2017, Defending the Missing Defendant: What to Do When You Are There But Your Client is Not, November 2017
  • Facilitator: Oregon Defense Counsel Products Liability Practice Group, CLE Conference Anatomy of an Effective Rule 104 Hearing, October 2017
  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Board of Directors, 2015 to present
  • Oregon Women Lawyers, Queens’ Bench Chapter, Board of Directors, 2013 to present (Chairperson, Communications Committee (2014-15); Secretary (2016)
  • Three Rivers Charter School, Board of Directors, 2012 to present
  • Oregon Casualty Adjusters Association Spring 2013 Symposium Speakers

Articles / Case Notes

  • DRI Construction Litigation Desk Reference, A State-By-State Compendium.

Notable Trial & Appellate Victories

  • Dismissal of $1.5 million personal injury lawsuit: Elizabeth Lampson and shareholder Chris Parker won a motion for summary judgment in Lane County in favor of their newspaper publisher client. The lawsuit arose out of an accident between the plaintiff, who was riding a bicycle, and a vehicle operated by a carrier retained to deliver the publisher’s newspapers. Plaintiff sued the publisher, arguing it was vicariously liable for the carrier’s actions. Plaintiff also alleged the carrier was negligent in retaining and supervising this carrier. Counsel moved for summary judgment that the carrier was an independent contractor that retained exclusive control over the manner in which the work was performed. Counsel also moved against plaintiff’s negligence claim, arguing there was no evidence that the publisher was negligent in retaining or supervising the carrier. The court granted summary judgment in the publisher’s favor, disposing of plaintiff’s claims in their entirety.
  • Dispositive motion for summary judgment for firm’s developer client: Elizabeth Lampsonand associate Chris Parker prevailed in a lawsuit filed in Clark County District court by obtaining an order granting summary judgment in favor of their client. The plaintiff sustained injuries after falling from a retaining wall on the developer’s property. Lampson and Parker moved for summary judgment, arguing the wall was not in an unreasonably dangerous condition. The trial court agreed and entered summary judgment in the developer’s favor, disposing of plaintiff’s claim in its entirety. 
  • Court grants motion to dismiss owner of construction company from construction defect action: The plaintiff property management company sued the defendant construction company for alleged defects and damage to two commercial properties in Douglas County. Plaintiff also sued the owner of the construction company in his individual capacity, seeking damages for breach of contract and attorney fees. Elizabeth Lampson and associate Chris Parker filed a motion to dismiss the owner, arguing he was not a party to the construction agreement and could not be personally liable for the alleged defects and damage to the properties. The trial court agreed and dismissed the claim against the owner in its entirety.
  • Court of Appeals Affirms Summary Judgment in favor of Subcontractor: Elizabeth Lampson and associate Jonathan Henderson successfully maintained a defense victory at the Oregon Court of Appeals for the firm’s excavation subcontractor client. The general contractor plaintiff sought nearly $200,000 in damages for alleged improper excavation at a residential subdivision property in Southern Oregon and argued on appeal that a dispositive defense summary judgment in favor of our client should be overturned. At issue was the trigger of the two-year statute of limitations for negligence. The court of appeals issued an Order Affirming Without Opinion the trial court ruling in favor of the client.
  • Dispositive summary judgment granted for subcontractor against general contractor: Elizabeth Lampson prevailed in Washington County Circuit Court in obtaining a summary judgment in favor of her subcontractor defendant against all claims filed against it by the general contractor, including negligence, indemnity, and contribution. Liz’s client was the EIFS installer at a single family residence. Liz was assisted at the hearing by appellate law associate, Jonathan Henderson.

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