OVER THREE DECADES AS A CIVIL LITIGATION ATTORNEY AND COMMUNITY LEADER
Randy Arthur has practiced law as a civil litigation attorney for more than 36 years, providing clients with professional advice and guidance in high-profile and high-stakes corporate litigation and dispute resolution. He brings extensive litigation experience helping clients resolve disputes concerning surety and fidelity bonds, insurance coverage, professional liability, and malpractice claims, as well as commercial contracts. Businesses, corporations and insurance companies often turn to him when they have a contract-based dispute. Working mostly on the defense side, Randy has also prosecuted commercial litigation matters and brings the valuable perspective of having been on both sides of the table.
When a case referral comes in, Randy examines all the pieces to find the thread or fact that may have been overlooked to help advance his client’s position. Given his level of experience and legal acumen, he has a keen ability to listen, observe and pay attention to detail in order to discern and simplify a complex situation and to marshal facts and arguments to reach a successful resolution.
View More
After several years of experience as an attorney, Randy served as a judicial law clerk for The Honorable Anna J. Brown, United States District Court of Oregon Judge. In that capacity, he observed the effective and ineffective approaches of attorneys in both written and oral arguments, which gave him more insight into successful means for resolving disputes and on how to effectively practice in court. This experience provided an advantage when returning to private practice.
Randy started his legal career representing clients in first-party insurance coverage disputes and cases. Before law school, he worked for an insurance company as an in-house claims examiner, which solidified his interest in going to law school. As an in-house claims examiner, he handled and investigated auto accident, homeowners’ insurance policy, first-party and third-party claims, and negotiated property damage and bodily injury settlements. This gave him a unique understanding of the nuances of insurance contracts, claim disputes, and related issues.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Oregon, 1985
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
EDUCATION
- Hofstra University, School of Law – J.D., with distinction, 1985
- University of California, Berkeley – M.S.W., 1983
- Occidental College – A.B., Psychology, 1977
- Oregon State Bar (Member, Diversity Section Executive Committee, 2010-2021; Immediate Past Chair, Diversity Section, 2019; Chair, Diversity Section, 2018; Chair-Elect, Diversity Section, Executive Committee, 2017; Secretary, Diversity Section Executive Committee, 2013; Treasurer, Diversity Section Executive Committee, 2012; Member, Business Litigation Section; Member, Litigation Section)
- City of Lake Oswego, Oregon; Development Review Commission (Commissioner 2019 – present; Vice Chair 2021-present); Planning Commission/Commission for Citizen Involvement (CCI)(Commissioner, 2012-2018; Vice Chair, 2013-2014; Chair, 2014-2016); Middle Housing Code Advisory Committee (Chair – 2021)
- Community Associations Institute (CAI), Oregon Chapter (Board of Directors, 2009-2012; President, 2012; President-Elect, 2011; Board Liaison, Education Committee, 2009-2010; Chair, Membership Committee, 2008-2009)
- Royal Rosarians (2002-Present)
- Forest Heights Homeowners Association, Inc. (President, Board of Directors, 2007-2008; Chair, Policy Oversight Committee, 2004, 2006-2007; President, Board of Directors & Chair, Steering Committee, 2002-2003; Chair, Advisory Board, 2000-2002)
- S. District Court, District of Oregon (Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable District Court Judge Anna J. Brown, 2000-2001)
- S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society (Member, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, 2002-2004)
- American Bar Association (Member, Litigation Section; Member, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Fidelity and Surety Law Committee)
- Federal Bar Association (Member)
- Multnomah Bar Association (Member, Court Liaison Committee, 2001-2003; President, Volunteer Lawyers Project, 1994-1995)
- Multnomah County Law Library (Member, Board of Directors, 2002-2007; Chair, Finance Committee, 2004-2007)
- Northwest Heights Neighborhood Association (President, Board of Directors, 1999-2000)
- Andrews Legal Clinic (Volunteer Attorney, 1988-1995)
- City Club of Portland (Member, Membership Committee, 1989-1994)
- Portland Public Schools (Child Development Specialist, 1990)
- Hofstra University School of Law (Articles Editor, Hofstra Labor Law Journal, 1985; Hofstra Law Fellow, Legal Research and Writing, 1985)
- Presenter and Co-author, “Lake Oswego Middle Housing Code Advisory Committee Recommendations on HB 2001,” Joint Meeting of the Lake Oswego, Oregon City Council and Planning Commission (2021)
- Presenter and Co-Author, “Beware of Dangerous Waves: Can Claims Handlers Be Subject to Personal Bad Faith Claims and Liability in Washington and Other Western States?” (Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2021)
- Co-Author, “Electronic Discovery in the Investigation and Litigation of Fidelity Claims,” American Bar Association (ABA) TT&IPS Fidelity and Surety Committee Mid-Winter Meeting (2020)
- Speaker and Co-Author, “Surety Law Updates on Judicial, Legislative, and Regulatory Developments in Washington, Alaska, and Montana,” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2019, 2020, 2021)
- Co-Author, “D&O Claims and Coverage Issues Following the 2018 Banking and Financial Crisis,'” American Bar Association (ABA) TT&IPS Fidelity and Surety Committee Mid-Winter Meeting (2018)
- Co-Author, Alaska & Montana Chapters, “The Quick Reference Guide to Western States Surety Law,” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2018)
- Co-Author, Oregon, Washington, Alaska & Montana Chapters, “State Survey of Public Works Bond Statutes,” The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) (2017)
- Speaker, “Lake Oswego Planning Commission Accomplishments and Proposed Goals,” Lake Oswego, Oregon, Boards and Commissions Summit (2015 and 2016)
- Speaker, “Lake Oswego Planning Commission Projects and Goals for 2015,” Lake Oswego Mayor and Neighborhood Association Chairs Forum (2014)
- Oregon Chapter Co-Author, “The Law of Lawyers’ Liability: State by State,” American Bar Association (ABA) Litigation Section Professional Liability Litigation Committee (2012)
- Panelist, “Current Trends and Best Practices for Community Associations,” Community Associations Institute (CAI) Oregon Chapter Kick-off Event (2011)
- Oregon Chapter Co-Author, “50 State Survey of Legal Malpractice Law,” American Bar Association (ABA) Litigation Section Professional Liability Litigation Committee (2009; 2010 & 2011 Revisions)
- Speaker and Panelist, 2008 Community Association of the Year Award in the Large Community Category for the Forest Heights Homeowners Association, Community Associations Institute (CAI) Oregon Chapter (2008)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Dancing with the ‘Solvent’ Principal: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2007)
- Co-Author, Washington, Alaska & Montana Chapters, “The Quick Reference Guide to Western States Surety Law,” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2007)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Contract Notice, Protest, and Formal Claims Procedures: A Potential Trap for the Unwary!” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2006)
- Oregon Chapter Co-Author, “Performance Bond Manual,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) (2006)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Tag, You’re It! Can the Surety Shift the Loss or Enhance Recovery by Accessing the Principal’s Insurance?” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2005)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Fidelity Bonds: An Overview for Surety Law Practitioners,” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2004)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Mold Claims: Are Sureties at Risk?” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2003)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “The False Claims Act: What is a ‘Claim’?” Western States Surety Conference (WSSC) (2002)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Scope of the Payment Bond Surety’s Obligation,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Workshop (2001)
- Co-Author, “The Role of the Insurance Underwriter in Resolving Insurance Claim Disputes,” Declarations (1999)
- Speaker & Co-Author, “Scope of the Payment Bond Surety’s Obligation,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Fidelity & Surety Law Committee Midyear Meeting (1998)
- Co-Author, “Evaluation of the Defense of Comparative ‘Bad Faith,'” Mealey’s™ Litigation Report: Insurance Bad Faith (1998)
- Co-Author, “The Role of the Insurance Underwriter in Resolving Insurance Claim Disputes,” Declarations (Summer & Winter 1998)
- Co-Author, “Defending Environmental Claims Under Property Insurance Policies,” Defense Research Institute (DRI), Monograph (1998)
- Co-Author, “Scope of the Payment Bond Surety’s Obligation,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), The Law of Payment Bonds (1998)
- Co-Author, “Insurance Company Underwriter in Handling Claims,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), Tort Trial & Insurance Law Journal (1996)
- Co-Author, “Defending Environmental Claims Under Property Insurance Policies,” Defense Research Institute (DRI), Monograph (1995)
- Co-Author, “Examinations Under Oath,” American Bar Association (ABA), The Brief, Vol. 23, No. 2 (1994)
- Co-Author, “Insurance Coverage Issues,” Oregon Law Institute (OLI), Environmental Deskbook: Environmental Law for General Practitioners (1994)
- Co-Author, “A Brief History of the Financial Institution Bond,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), Financial Institution Bonds (1992)
- Author, “Spoliation of Evidence and Potential Remedies in Product Litigation,” Oregon State Bar (OSB), Litigation Journal, Vol. 12, No. 1 (1992)
- Co-Author, “Insurance Coverage Issues,” Oregon Law Institute (OLI), Environmental Deskbook: Environmental Law for General Practitioners (1991)
- Co-Author, “Property Insurance: No Solution for Pollution,” Boston College, Environmental Affairs Law Review, Vol. 17, No. 2 (1990)
- Co-Author, “New Thoughts on Property Insurance,” American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), Tort Trial & Insurance Law Journal, Vol. 26, No. 1 (1990)
- Co-Author, “Is There Property Insurance Coverage for Contamination Losses?” Defense Research Institute (DRI), Monograph: Insurance Claims for Pollution and Contamination Losses, Vol. 1988, No. 4 (1988)
- Author, “The 1982 New York Legal Aid Strike: Ethical Implications,” Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2 (1985)
- AV® Preeminent™, Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2024 — Commercial Litigation; 2024 — Insurance Law)
A LONG HISTORY OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Randy started his career with the Portland Public Schools, in Portland, Oregon, as a Child Development Specialist; serving students and families in diverse socio-economic areas. When he observed parents seeking out legal counsel to place their special needs students in special programs, he saw how impactful lawyers could be, which piqued his interest in joining the legal profession.
Throughout his career, Randy has actively served on and provided leadership to boards and commissions relating to governance, city and/or homeowners association (HOA) issues. Public service runs in Randy’s family. He finds it a rewarding experience and enjoys interacting with people to address and solve problems, to enhance community relationships between competing interests, and to develop policy solutions that afford fair outcomes. He presently serves as a Commissioner and Vice-Chair on the City of Lake Oswego, Oregon Development Review Commission. Previously, he served as a Commissioner and as Chair of the Lake Oswego Planning Commission and Commission for Citizen Involvement. Additionally, he recently completed his service as an Executive Committee member and Past Chair of the Oregon State Bar (OSB) Diversity Section, as well as having previously served as President of the Oregon Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI).