NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIAL LAWYER WITH EXPERIENCE AS IN-HOUSE GENERAL COUNSEL
Leta Gorman has personally tried more than 25 bench and jury trials as first chair in Oregon and Washington state and federal courts. With more than 25 years in practice, she has represented manufacturers and general contractors in hundreds of class actions, arbitrations, and mediations to resolve product liability, construction defect and asbestos-related claims. If a case cannot be resolved without a trial, her clients know they have a skilled and dedicated trial lawyer on their side who brings an exceptional level of attention and care.
With a lifelong passion for working with women’s organizations, Leta also represents young women and children in cases involving hazing, bullying, and harassment. She served as General Counsel for a national women’s nonprofit resolving various types of issues across the country. Her work in the nonprofit sector influences what she does as a litigator today, bringing empathy and soft skills to resolving issues. She’s driven by making a positive impact and is just as devoted to helping clients in the courtroom.
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Leta has an innate ability to listen for what’s really important to her clients, understand their needs and help them get there strategically. Because of her extensive experience trying cases, she’s been there and knows how to work through the complexities at every level in litigation. She sees the whole chess board, not just the next move, and can foresee how things have the potential to turn out in the end.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Oregon, 1998
- Washington, 1994
- Idaho, 2021
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. Supreme Court
EDUCATION
- Seattle University, School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 1994
- University of Washington – Jackson School of International Studies, U.S. Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy, B.A., with honors, 1989
CLIENT WINS
- Obtained summary judgment dismissals for multiple defendants in multiple asbestos disputes based on premises liability grounds.
- Successfully resolved multiple disputes across the United States involving university students engaged in drug and alcohol abuse and hazing.
- Successfully resolved bullying dispute involving six students against the Roseburg School District.
- Obtained verdict for hazed high school student in case involving the Lake Oswego School District.
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- Represented La Noue Development LLC in a construction defect action in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the Oregon Supreme Court. Favorable verdict, which affects the interpretation of indemnity clauses.
- Represented Deere & Company in a lawsuit involving allegations of a defective tractor. Obtained directed verdict on one claim and a defense verdict on the remaining claims at trial.
- Served as local counsel for litigation involving an ephedra dietary supplement.
- Represented developer of two multi-unit condominium conversion projects in lawsuits filed by the respective homeowner associations. Favorable settlements reached in both cases.
- Represented developer and general contractor in a lawsuit involving allegations of defective construction on multi-unit townhomes.
- Obtained verdicts in favor of the developer and general contractor and against three subcontractors following a five-week trial.
- Defended chemical plant in a case involving the accidental release of hydrochloric acid. Obtained defense verdict at trial.
- Served as local counsel to General Motors in cases involving side-saddle fuel tanks.
- Served as local counsel to Dow Agrosciences in cases involving pest management products.
- Successfully defended the Ford Motor Company against claims brought by a plaintiff who alleged the vehicle he purchased had either a design defect or was damaged during manufacture or transport.
- Defense Research Institute (Member, Drug and Medical Device Committee; Member, Product Liability Committee)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (Member, Audit Committee, 2019-Present; Board of Directors, 2009-2013; Secretary-Treasurer, 2014-2017; Treasurer-Elect, 2013-2014; Member, Audit Committee, 2009; Member, Investment Subcommittee, 2007-Present; Convention Chair, 2012; Chair, State and Regional Membership, 2007-2017; Faculty, Trial Academy, 2010; Chair, Products Liability Committee, 2009-2011; Vice-Chair, Products Liability Committee, 2005-2009; Vice-Chair, Drug, Device and Biotech Committee, 2006-2009; Board of Editors, Defense Counsel Journal, 2008-2017; Defense Counsel Journal Task Force, 2008-2009)
- International Association of Defense Counsel Foundation (Vice President, 2013; Secretary-Treasurer, 2009-2013; Board of Directors, 2008-2013)
- American Bar Association (Member, Litigation Section; Member, Products Liability Committee, 2004-2011; Co-Chair, Consumer Products Subcommittee, 2008-2009; Co-Chair, Joint Environmental and Products Liability Committees’ Annual Meeting, 2006; Co-Chair, Women in Products Liability Subcommittee, 2004-2007)
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (Member)
- Multnomah Bar Association (Member, Judicial Screening Committee, 2008-2011; Vice-Chair, 2009-2010)
- American Field Service (AFS) (Volunteer, Host Family to Foreign Exchange Students)
- Kappa Delta National Sorority (Transitional National Council Nominating Committee, 2010-2013); National Officer (1989–2015)
- National Panhellenic Conference (National Speaker, “Something of Value” Program)
- Oregon Ballet Theatre (Board of Trustees, 2010-2013; Vice-Chair, 2012-2013)
- Speaker, “Ethical Responsibility: Making a Difference,” Oregon State University (February 2020)
- Speaker, “From the Living Room to the Bedroom and Beyond: Smart Products Are Everywhere,” DRI Product Liability Conference (February 2018)
- Author, “The Era of the Internet of Things: Can Product Liability Laws Keep Up?” IADC: Defense Counsel Journal, Vol. 84, No. 3 (2017)
- Co-Author, “Model Jury Instructions: Product Liability,” American Bar Association (2017)
- Author (Chapter 3, Section 2), “Responding to the Complaint – Answer and Affirmative Defenses,” Defense Counsel Journal
- Speaker & Author, “Using Effective Remedies to Combat Rambo Litigation,” How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator, National Business Institute (December 2015)
- Speaker & Author, “Dirty Tricks That You Need to Look Out For,” How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator, National Business Institute (December 2015)
- Speaker & Author, “Current Trends in Insurance Coverage & Litigation of CD’s,” Construction Defect and Dispute Conference (September 2015)
- Author, “Prejudice Required or Presumed? Proposed Amendment to FRCP 37(e) versus Sekisui American Corp. v. Hart” (October 2013)
- Author & Moderator, “What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know” (October 2010)
- Speaker & Author, “Preserving Attorney-Client Privilege and Controlling Discovery,” IADC Corporate Counsel College (April 2010)
- Faculty Member, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy (2010)
- Author & Moderator, “What Civil Court Judges Want You to Know” (May 2008)
- Author, “RxFor The Times?” IADC Committee Newsletter (March 2009)
- Author & Moderator, “Attorney-Client Privilege: How In-House Counsel and Multi-National Companies Can Protect Privileged Conversations,” IADC Webinar (January 2009)
- Author, “‘Don’t Point the Gun at the Jury’ and Other Practical Tips for Presenting Demonstrative Exhibits at Trial,” Defense Research Institute Trial Tactics Committee Newsletter (Fall 2007)
- Author, “West Virginia Rejects Learned Intermediary Doctrine,” IADC Newsletter (December 2007)
- Co-Author, “Does the ‘Preemption Preamble’ Preempt State Law Product Liability Claims?” American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Hot Topics (October 2006)
- Co-Author, “Spoliation of Medical Devices: The Case for Dismissal,” IADC Newsletter (February 2006)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Construction Law and Litigation, Casualty Insurance and Product Liability, Defective Products Incorporated into a Construction Project: Who’s Left Holding the Bag?” IADC Midyear Meeting (2006)
- Co-Author, “Warnings Monograph,” American Bar Association (2005)
- Co-Author, “Extraordinary Damages Monograph,” International Association of Defense Counsel (2005)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Getting Your Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted into Court in Oregon,” National Business Institute (2005)
- Co-Author, “Voluntary Medical Device Recalls: How To and Why,” IADC Newsletter (2004)
- AV® Preeminent™, Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in Oregon Super Lawyers (2011–2021; 2013 [Top 25 Women List] — Product Liability Defense)
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2011- 2022 — Product Liability Litigation)
- Included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recipient of the International Association of Defense Counsel’s Joan Fullam Irick Award for exceptional work as a Committee Chair (2011)
- Award of Merit recipient from the Multnomah Bar Association (2009)
- Recognized as a Volunteer of Distinction by the AFS (2013)
PASSION FOR EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN
Through her work as an attorney and as a volunteer, Leta has always been very active in prominent women’s organizations. Before she became General Counsel for a women’s national nonprofit, she had volunteered there for 26 years. Leta also traveled around the country with the National Panhellenic Conference doing mock trials, speaking on issues around values, safety, and leadership, and encouraging young women to make good choices. She has served as a host mother for several high school foreign exchange students over the last decade, including students from Egypt, France, Russia, and Portugal. The commitment and passion she brings to her volunteer work translate into her work as a litigator and her unwavering commitment to clients.