cpaternoster@pfglaw.com
503.222.1812

Practice Areas:   

Commercial/Business Litigation, Employment Litigation, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Litigation

Background:   

Chip Paternoster is an experienced trial lawyer whose practice focuses on all types of business and employment disputes. In recent years, Chip’s clients have included multinational billion-dollar companies, Oregon state and municipal governments, as well as individuals bringing actions of all types in state and federal court.

In the employment law arena, Chip has successfully represented both individual plaintiffs and small and large Oregon businesses in claims involving Title VII, the ADEA, the Family Medical Leave Act and Oregon wage and anti-discrimination statutes.

Chip takes great pride in his relationships with his clients and his ability to forge creative and cost-effective solutions that meet his client’s needs.

Chip and his wife Mary are originally from upstate New York, and Chip is a lifelong (and recently suffering) New York Yankees fan. During their spare time, Chip and Mary spend as much time as they can hiking, skiing and kayaking. Chip is also the owner of what he believes to be one of the largest collections of recorded jazz in the Northwest.

Education:   

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.
Colgate University, B.A.

Admissions:   

Admitted to practice in the state courts of Oregon, Washington, and New York and before the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of New York.

Memberships:   

Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Association
Washington State Bar Association
Multnomah County Court Annexed Arbitration Program Certified   
     Arbitrator
Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger - Board of Directors
Portland Business Alliance, Leadership Portland Class of 2006
Young Audiences of Oregon and SW Washington, Board of Directors

Articles:   

Four Tips for Employers in Tough Times,
PFG Client Briefing, Issue 8 (Fall 2009)

Re-thinking Employee Recommendations, Portland Business Journal, (January 12, 2007)

(Co-Author) Dead Men Tell Some Tales – Lessons from Arthur Andersen, OSB Bulletin, (April 2006)

(Co-Author) Oregon Civil Pleading and Practice Manual – Depositions, (2006 Edition)

(Co-Author) Oregon Civil Litigation Manual – Depositions, (2004 Edition)

 Representative   
Cases:   

Daniel J. Smith v. Powell Water Manufacturing, Inc.
Mult. Co. Cir. Ct., No. 0609-10325
Representation of Oregon company in successful defense of workers’ compensation retaliation and wrongful discharge claims brought by former employee alleging $657,000 in damages. Defense Jury Verdict (10-2).

Western Underground, Inc. v. City of Seaside
Clatsop Co. Cir. Ct., No. 06-2004
Representation of Oregon municipality in successful defense of breach of contract and quantum meruit claims brought by general contractor arising from contractual dispute with respect to City public works project. Defense Jury Verdict (unanimous).

Valerie W. Go v. Sasquatch Capital LLC, et al.
Mult. Co. Cir. Ct., No. 0310-10747
Representation of investment advisory firm and individual investment advisors in successful defense of claims brought under Oregon Securities Law and for breach of fiduciary duty. The Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ fiduciary duty claim at summary judgment, then, granted a directed verdict in clients’ favor at trial on all remaining claims following the close of the plaintiff’s case.

Jimmy W. Go v. Jawed
Mult. Co. Cir. Ct., No. 0311-12741
Representation of individual in successful defense of claims for fraud and breach of oral contract. The Court granted the client’s motion in limine at the commencement of trial and granted summary judgment, judgment as a matter of law and directed verdict in client’s favor. Following presentation of the client’s counterclaim for breach of the non-disparagement clause in a release agreement, the Court found in favor of the client and awarded damages of $130,000.

Errol R. Knobf v. Reynolds Metals Co., et al.
Mult. Co. Cir. Ct., No. 0409-10023
Representation of multinational corporation defending tort claims filed by construction employee arising from work site injuries on public excavation project.

Norman Tigner v. Hollywood Entertainment Corp.
U.S.D.C. (N.D. Cal.), 03-CV-02846-HRL
Representation of Oregon corporation providing successful defense of employment claims brought under state and federal discrimination statutes.

Susan Strutz v. Multnomah County, et al.
U.S.D.C. (D. Or.) CV 02-1672 FR
Attorney representing Multnomah County employee in claims under Family Medical Leave Act and for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Speaking    Engagements:   

Leadership in Negotiation, Portland Business Alliance, Leadership Portland Speech (Nov. 2007)

How to Get Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted in Court, NBI Seminar (April 2007)

Document Retention and Destruction in Oregon, Lorman CLE Seminar (Oct. 2006)

Annual Employment Law Update: Privacy Issues, OLI CLE Seminar (June 2006)

Civil Trial Start to Finish: A Practical Approach to Trying a Civil Case, NBI Sem. (June 2005)

Summary Judgment and Pre-Trial Matters, OSB CLE Seminar (February 2005)

Attorney Fees in State and Federal Court, OSB CLE Seminar (November 2004)