POWERFUL PERSPECTIVE FOR RESOLVING COMPLEX BUSINESS DISPUTES
Laura Caldera focuses her representation of clients in three areas: professional liability litigation, business disputes, and intellectual property litigation. Architects, engineers, accountants, and other professionals hire Laura to defend them against allegations of professional malpractice and represent them before professional boards. Intellectual property clients engage her to represent them for trademark, copyright, trade secret, and patent disputes.
Her approach is consistent regardless of the area of the law: gain a full understanding of the issues, but more importantly, the client’s needs. Once understood, she prepares a vigorous defense or representation that draws on her many years of successful trial experience.
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This same approach is put to work for clients with directors and officers (D&O) liability, securities fraud, business divorces, fraudulent transfer disputes, and other complex business litigation. Her role in one of Oregon’s most complex commercial bankruptcies means clients get the experienced representation they need. Laura is confident in her trial work in state and federal courts across multiple jurisdictions. But, not all representation involves a trip to the courthouse. Laura understands that arbitration and mediation can be a more rewarding approach to a problem when weighing risk and reward.
Laura’s professional organization leadership complements her practice focus. She has served in many roles with INTA, the International Trademark Association. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations from 2011-2013 and served as president of Oregon Women Lawyers from 2008-2009. Laura’s community and civic work focuses on children, including her involvement with Ainsley’s Angels in Oregon.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Oregon, 1999
- Washington, 2022
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
EDUCATION
- Willamette University, College of Law – J.D., 1999
- California State University, Chico – B.A., 1995
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation (Oregon State Chair, 2014-Present; Fellow, 2013-Present)
- Children’s Cancer Association (Member, Ambassador Board, 2008-2014)
- Classroom Law Project (Member, Board of Directors, 2014-2016)
- Defense Research Institute (Member, Intellectual Property Litigation Committee; Member, Professional Liability Committee)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (Member, 2019-Present)
- International Trademark Association (Trademark Rights Subcommittee, 2014-2015; Member, Internet Committee, 2012-2013)
- Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow, 2013-Present)
- Multnomah Bar Association (Member)
- National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations (Member, Board of Directors, 2011-2013)
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (Chair, Trial Practice Committee, 2017 – Present)
- Oregon State Bar (Member, Editorial Board, Torts Handbook, 2010; Chairperson, Business Litigation Section, Executive Committee, 2016; Member, Business Litigation Section, Executive Committee, 2010-Present; Member, Diversity Section; Member, Intellectual Property Section; Member, Litigation Section)
- Oregon Women Lawyers (Board Member, 2005-2009; President, 2008-2009; Vice President, 2007-2008; Secretary, 2006-2007)
- Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation (Member, Board of Directors, 2000-2005; President, 2004-2005; Treasurer, 2002-2004)
- St. Mary’s Academy (Coach, Constitutional Law Team)
- Co-Speaker, “Maximizing Forgiveness Under the Paycheck Protection Program,” Webinar, May 2020
- Co-Speaker, Benefits and Pitfalls Under the CARES Act that Every Small Business Needs to Understand,” Webinar, April 2020
- Co-Speaker, “Directors and Officers Liability Insurance: Avoiding Pitfalls When Serving on a Nonprofit Board,” Oregon State Bar (OSB) CLE Seminar: IRS Exempt Organizations Update and Current Topics for Nonprofits (2016)
- Speaker, “Asset Management – Conflicts of Laws as a Defense Tool,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) Annual Convention (2015)
- Co-Speaker, “Cyber Liability Risks—A Primer,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) Commercial Practice Seminar (2015)
- Co-Speaker, “Cyber Security & Cyber Liability Claims,” Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG) Networking Meeting (2015)
- Co-Speaker, “Increased D&O Exposure in Technology,” Defense Research Institute (DRI) Professional Liability Seminar (2014)
- Co-Author, “Identifying and Calculating Recoverable Damages and Predicting Risks in Cyber Security Breaches,” Willamette Management Associates, Insights (2014)
- Co-Speaker, “The Perilous World of Cyber Security Breaches,” National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Western Regional Conference (2014)
- Co-Author, “Pointing the Finger: Bernie Madoff and the Potentially Changing Landscape of Trustee Claims,” Defense Research Institute (DRI) Professional Liability Committee Newsletter, Riding the E&O Line (2014)
- Speaker, “Conducting Effective Motion Practice,” Oregon State Bar, Fundamentals of Oregon Civil Trial Procedure CLE Seminar (2013)
- Co-Speaker, “Intellectual Property: Become a Lawful Monopolist for Fun & Profit,” Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG) Networking Meeting (2013)
- Speaker, “Depositions, Discovery, and Difficult People,” National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) Education Conference & National Forum (2012)
- Co-Speaker, “Risk Management Essentials,” Nonprofit Risk Management Center Risk Management and Finance Summit for Nonprofits Conference (2011)
- Chapter Author, “The Impact of Recent Patent Law Cases and Developments, 2012 Ed: Leading Lawyers on Analyzing Key Decisions, Updating Client Strategies, and Understanding the Effects of Patent Reform (Inside the Minds),” Aspatore Books (2011)
- Co-Author, “Documentary Evidence – Organization and Presentation,” Thomson Reuters Business Torts (2010)
- Speaker, “Computer and Internet Law: Changes and Challenges to an Evolving Practice,” Oregon State Bar (2007)
- Moderator, “Critical Issues Facing the Legal Profession,” American Bar Foundation Fellows Fall Seminar (2006)
- Speaker, “Federal Litigation,” Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Division Super Saturday CLE (2004)
- Co-Author, “Privileges and Conflicts of Interest: Special Legal and Ethical Challenges Facing Today’s Corporate Counsel,” American Bar Association (2003)
- Author, “Initial Interest Confusion in the Context of Internet Domain Names: A Primer of Recent Cases and Suggestions for Creative Resolutions to This Brand of Trademark Dispute,” Oregon Intellectual Property Newsletter (2002)
- Author, “The Family Friendly Work Environment – An Investment in People, an Investment in the Firm,” Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Division Newsletter (2001)
- Named one of Oregon’s top commercial litigation lawyers by Chambers USA (2023-2024 — Litigation: General Commercial)
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2021-2024 — Commercial Litigation; 2017-2024 — Litigation – Intellectual Property)
- Named as a “Local Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation (2015-2021 — General Commercial; Intellectual Property; Professional Liability)
OUTSIDE THE FIRM
Laura’s charitable and community commitments have always focused on women and children’s issues. She not only supports a balanced approach to work and family issues through community groups, but she also lives it every day.
She is active with her own children’s scholastic and outside interests. Laura has also joined the ranks of local runners and competed in three full marathons, the 2014 Hood to Coast Relay with the “Running of the Bull-ivants” team, and competed in her first duathlon in 2015. She is currently training for several races.