RECOGNIZED AS A TOP APPELLATE LAWYER HANDLING OVER 200 APPEALS
Our friend and colleague, Dan Lindahl, has retired after practicing law for 38 years, most of his career at Bullivant. Dan’s practice focused on appellate litigation for more than 35 years, making him one of the most experienced appellate lawyers in the Pacific Northwest. He handled appeals involving almost every type of case in civil litigation.
The firm is grateful for Dan’s many years of excellent client service and professionalism. Dan’s colleagues continue to provide legal services to clients in the appellate practice area. If you need legal assistance, please contact Dan Bentson, Shareholder, at 206.521.6420; email moc.tnavillub@nostneb.nad.
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Believing that clients want and deserve an appellate lawyer with decades of expertise, Dan personally performs every step in the appellate process, including mastering the record, performing all necessary research, writing every word of his appellate briefs, then personally appearing to argue the case to the appellate court. Clients trust that he will deliver a timely, excellent work product that gives them the best chance of success. Being sensitive to clients’ needs and schedules, he strives to comply with client guidelines and timetables.
In addition to handling cases on appeal, Dan provides support at the trial level in appropriate cases, including handling jury instructions, motions in limine, motions for directed verdict, and post-trial motions.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Oregon, 1984
- Washington, 1984
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
EDUCATION
- Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College – J.D., cum laude, 1984
- University of Oregon – B.S. in History, 1980
CLIENT WINS
- Golik v. CBS Corp., 306 Or. App. 202, 472 P.3d 778 (2020) (affirming trial court’s order granting a new trial based on counsel misconduct)
- Campbell Global, LLC v. American States Ins. Co., 784 Fed. Appx. 543 (9th Cir. 2019) (affirming summary judgment that insurance carrier had no duty to indemnify insured for property damage caused by the insured’s negligent property management)
- Cole v. Gene by Gene, Ltd., 735 Fed. Appx. 368 (9th Cir. 2018) (affirming the trial court’s order refusing to certify a class action)
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- Stremke v. Fisher & Pakkel Applicances, Inc., 190 Wn. App. 1003 (2015) (affirming verdict for damages caused by defendant’s dryer)
- Blake v. Cell Tech International, 228 Or. App. 288, 208 P.3d 992 (2009) (involving the admissibility of a proposed expert’s testimony concerning the decedent’s cause of death)
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Gulf Ins. Co., 250 Fed. Appx. 221 (9th Cir. 2007) (holding that the defendant insurers did not cover the cost of repairing a defective floor in Wal-Mart’s distribution center)
- Valencia v. Crane Co., 132 Fed. Appx. 171 (9th Cir. 2005) (affirming dismissal of the plaintiff’s negligence claims against manufacturer of a beverage-vending machine)
- Bird v. Lewis and Clark College, 303 F.3d 1015 (9th Cir. 2002) (affirming judgment for Lewis and Clark College in student’s action alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Strader v. Grange Mut. Ins. Co., 179 Or. App. 329, 39 P.3d 903 (2002) (holding that Oregon law does not recognize a tort claim for negligent breach of an insurance contract)
- Richardson v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of America, 161 Or. App. 615, 984 P.2d 917 (1999) (affirming judgment in case involving claim for overhead disability insurance)
- Woodfeathers, Inc. v. Washington County, 180 F.3d 1017 (9th Cir. 1999) (affirming judgment in Commerce Clause case based on federal preemption principles)
- Crowe v. Gaston, 134 Wn.2d 509, 951 P.2d 1118 (1998) (affirming judgment in action involving the scope of remedies available where alcohol is sold to minors)
- Seizer v. Sessions, 132 Wn.2d 642, 940 P.2d 261 (1997) (reversing the court of appeals in case involving competing claims to lottery winnings)
- Clackamas County v. 102 Marijuana Plants, 323 Or. 680, 920 P.2d 149 (1996) (reversing the trial court’s judgment in a civil forfeiture action)
- Lampf, Pleva, Lipkind, Prupis, and Petigrow v. Gilbertson, 501 U.S. 350 (1991) (author of the successful petition for a writ of certiorari in an action involving the statute of limitations applicable to claims under the federal securities laws)
- Gain v. Carroll Mill Co., 114 Wn.2d 254, 787 P.2d 553 (1990) (affirming dismissal of claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress)
- Grange Ins. Co. v. Brosseau, 113 Wn.2d 91, 776 P.2d 123 (1989) (holding that the intentional-act exclusion applied to a murder committed in self-defense)
- American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (Fellow, 2009-Present)
- Defense Research Institute (Former Member; Member, Amicus Committee, 2005-2008; Chair, Appellate Advocacy Committee, 2005-2007; Vice-Chair, Appellate Advocacy Committee, 2003-2005; Program Chair, Appellate Advocacy Committee, 2001-2003)
- National Foundation for Judicial Excellence (Member, 2006-2010; Member, Board of Directors; Member, Program Committee)
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (Member; Case Notes Editor, The Verdict, 2010-2012)
- Oregon State Bar (Member, Uniform Jury Instructions Committee, 2009-2012; Member, Executive Committee, Appellate Practice Section, 2004; Member, Board of Bar Examiners, 1999-2002)
- Co-Speaker & Author, “King County v. Travelers, et al. – A Site Visit to the Washington Supreme Court,” Western States Surety Conference (2017)
- Co-Speaker, “Bears and Bulls: Swings in the Appellate Courts,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) Annual Convention (2015)
- Chapter Author, “Appeal and Review: Beyond the Basics, 2014 Ed.,” Oregon State Bar Legal Publications (2014)
- Speaker, “New Developments in Oregon Appellate Law,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) (2007-2014)
- Speaker, “Preserving Error in Oregon’s Trial Courts,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) (2012)
- Speaker, “Fundamentals of Trial Practice—Appeals,” Oregon State Bar (2011)
- Author, “From the Chair: Perspectives on Persuasion,” Defense Research Institute (DRI), For The Defense (2007)
- Speaker, “How to Present an Effective Oral Argument,” Federal Bar Association (2007)
- Speaker, “New Challenges Presented by Spoliation of Electronic Evidence,” National Foundation for Judicial Excellence (2007)
- Author, “Appearance to Match Substance: Creating the Stylish Brief,” Defense Research Institute (DRI), For The Defense (2006)
- Speaker, “Defending Punitive Damage Claims in Oregon After State Farm v. Campbell,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) Seminar (2004)
- Author, “Ten Simple Rules for Better Writing,” Defense Research Institute (DRI), For The Defense (2003)
- Speaker, “Punitive Damages After Campbell,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) Seminar (2003)
- Program Chair / Moderator, Defense Research Institute (DRI) Appellate Advocacy Seminar (2004)
- Speaker, “Preserving Error in Oregon’s Trial Courts,” Lorman Education Services Seminar (2003)
- Speaker, “Initiating and Pursuing Civil Appeals,” Oregon State Bar Seminar (2002)
- Speaker, “Successful Amicus Curiae Practice,” Defense Research Institute (DRI) Appellate Advocacy Seminar (2000)
- Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- AV® Preeminent™, Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in Oregon Super Lawyers (2006-2022 — Appellate)
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2007-2023 — Appellate Practice)
RAISING THE BAR AND RAISING FARM ANIMALS
Dan’s passion for writing developed at the age of 15 when he started honing his writing skills as a sports writer for local newspapers. He paid his way through college by working for newspapers throughout his high school and college years.
But his talent for writing isn’t the only thing Dan has been cultivating. For more than 25 years, he and his wife have lived in the country on a six-acre property with a creek near Scappoose. They have close to 30 animals, including cats, dogs, turkeys, chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits, and horses.