Blake Robinson

Counsel

I focus on efficiently and effectively resolving my clients' litigation matters so they can get back to running their businesses.

Blake Robinson represents clients in litigation disputes, with an emphasis on construction and real estate matters. He works with his clients to achieve their goals and resolve their disputes in a cost-effective manner, whether that entails early dispute resolution or taking a case through trial and appeal, all of which Blake has successfully done.

Blake represents owners and contractors in a wide variety of construction matters, ranging from construction defect claims to complex delay claims. He also represents commercial landlords and tenants in complex lease disputes, including eviction trials and collection matters. In addition, Blake handles landlord-tenant matters for manufactured and mobile home park owners and apartment owners, including eviction trials and Fair Housing claims. Blake has prevailed in numerous trials and has successfully argued before the 9th Circuit and Oregon Court of Appeals. Blake is admitted to practice in both Oregon and Washington.

Practice Highlights

Construction

Defended general contractor in three week arbitration in which subcontract was seeking over $4 million for delays in construction of six-story apartment complex. The successful trial presentation resulted in positive settlement right before the close of evidence.

Real estate

Successfully handled numerous eviction trials, ranging from manufactured home parks evicting tenants for domestic violence to a hospital evicting a physician for non-payment of rent.

General litigation

Obtained dismissal of $14+ million in claims brought in federal court by our knife manufacturer client's former independent sales representative, and received an award of over $275,000 in attorney fees and costs incurred in successfully defending against the claims.

Construction Litigation

Lien priority dispute

Prevailed on summary judgment in $7 million construction lien foreclosure claim. We represented the lender. The trial court concluded our client's deed of trust had priority over the contractor's construction lien because, among other reasons, the lien did not properly segregate amounts for materials from amounts for labor, and the contractor had not given our client a sufficient notice of right to lien. (2022-23)

Roof defects

Asserted claims on behalf of townhome complex owner against two roofing contractors for breach of warranty. Disputes settled at mediation. (2021-2022)

Construction defect and Washington Consumer Protection Act

Defended homebuilder against claims by multiple homeowners alleging construction defects and violations of Washington's Consumer Protection Act. Case settled at mediation. (2021-2022)

Payment dispute

Defended owner of multiple apartment complexes against contractor that filed lawsuit for allegedly unpaid work. Case settled before trial. (2021)

Environmental event

Defended general contractor against claims by homeowner that subcontractors caused toxic materials to spread throughout the jobsite. Case settled at mediation. (2020-2021)

Real Estate Litigation

Breach of lease

Defended hotel owner against nearly $4 million lawsuit alleging breach of parking rights agreement and seeking to pierce the corporate veil. Lawsuit arose from hotel shutting down due to COVID-19. Case settled before trial. (2020-2022)

Rent disputes

Representing numerous commercial landlords and tenants in disputes over rent payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Ongoing)

Residential Eviction trial

Prevailed in eviction trial based on a 24-hour notice given to a tenant after he harassed and threatened to kill his former girlfriend. (2021)

Advice regarding COVID-19

Advises residential landlords, and commercial landlords and tenants, on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including application of COVID-related laws and emergency orders in Oregon and Washington. (Ongoing)

Assistance on landlord-tenant issues

Assists commercial and residential (including apartment complex and manufactured, mobile, and floating home community) landlords with various issues, including handling eviction trials, advising landlords on potential evictions, advising landlords on Fair Housing Act issues, drafting rental agreements, and drafting rules and regulations. (Ongoing)

Other Litigation and Appellate Experience

Product defect

Filed $2.5 million lawsuit on behalf of filling station owner against pipe manufacturer after defective pipe caused fuel leak. Case settled at mediation. (2020-2021)

ABG V, LLC v. Birkland et al.

Successfully defended Smith Brothers Farm against a dissident shareholder group of Alpenrose Dairy in takeover litigation. After a 5-day evidentiary hearing on a motion for an injunction, the court ruled in client's favor. (Multnomah Cnty. (Or.) Cir. Ct. 2019)

Prevailed on judicial foreclosure claim at trial and on appeal

Prevailed on judicial foreclosure claim after two-day bench trial. After borrower appealed, prepared the briefing and argued the appeal in the Oregon Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals affirmed our trial court victory three weeks after the argument, and later awarded our client nearly $100,000 in attorney fees. (2015-2019)

Prevailed on summary judgment in $14 million claim

Represented knife manufacturer in lawsuit filed by independent sales representative. After client terminated the parties' contract, independent sales representative filed federal lawsuit alleging client owed over $14 million in damages for unpaid past commissions and lost future commissions. The court granted our client summary judgment and dismissed all of the independent sales representative's claims, and awarded our client over $275,000 in attorney fees and costs. The case was settled while on appeal. Brady Marketing Company Inc. v. Kai U.S.A. Ltd, 2018 WL 3377083 (D. Or., July 11, 2018). (2016-2019)

Successfully defended mortgage-related claims at trial and on appeal

Drafted and argued successful motion to dismiss mortgage-related claims against two defendants. After plaintiffs appealed, drafted response brief. The 9th Circuit affirmed the dismissal as to our clients, while remanding the case as to our clients’ co-defendants. Sovereign v. Deutsche Bank, 2011 WL 5592392 (D. Or. 2011), aff’d 606 Fed. Appx. 401 (2015)

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 2012
Oregon, 2008
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, 2009
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2012
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2012
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 2016

Education

J.D., Willamette University College of Law, 2008, magna cum laude
- Graduated second in class
- Executive Editor, Willamette Law Review
- Best Paper Certificates in Pre-Trial Civil Litigation, Labor Law, Contracts II, Professional Responsibility, and Criminal Procedure
- Roy Lockenour Award for Professional Responsibility
- Legal Research and Writing Student Assistant, Professor Jennifer B. Todd
B.A., Oregon State University, 2005, summa cum laude
- OSU Honors College
- Outstanding Senior Thesis of the Year: “Militant and Nonviolent Social Movements”

Memberships & Affiliations

- Board Member, U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society, 2022-present
- Board Member, ACE Mentor Program of Oregon, 2018-present
- Board Member, Oregon State University Honors College Alumni Leadership Circle, 2017-present
- Youth Basketball Coach, 2019-2020, 2022-2023
- Youth Soccer Coach, 2021-2023
- University Honors College Board of Readers, Oregon State University, 2010-2013
- Executive Committee, 2012-2019; Chair, 2019 – Products Liability Section, Oregon State Bar
- Multnomah County Bar Association

Professional Recognition

- Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Real Estate Law, 2025
- Selected to "Oregon Rising Stars" in Construction Litigation, 2017-2022; Business Litigation, 2012-2016; Thomson Reuters

Background

- Summer Associate, Davis Wright Tremaine, Portland, Ore.
- Legal Extern, Hon. Joseph V. Ochoa; Hon. Susan M. Tripp; Marion County Circuit Court, Salem, Ore.