Person | Derek J, Ashton | Cosgrave Vergeer Kester | Portland's Lawyers

Professional Activities:

Derek is a member of the Multnomah County Bar Association and the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel.  He is also on the Steering Committee for both the Transportation Practice Group and the Hospitality Practice Group of ALFA International, a global network of independent business focused law firms.  He is also a member of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Trucking Industry Defense Association, and the Oregon Trucking Association. 

Derek is a member of the panel of preferred counsel for criminal defense and legal matters for the police departments in St. Helens, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Gresham and Hillsboro.  He routinely volunteers his time for pro bono legal matters.

Civic: 

Derek is a board member and Treasurer for Cardinal Football, a non-profit corporation that serves Lincoln High School.  He is also an assistant football coach at Lincoln High School and a member of the National Federation of High School Coaches Association.

Derek has served as a board member for the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation.

Personal:

When Derek is not at the office, you can find him coaching, watching his son and daughter pursue their many sport and non-sport activities, or traveling and skiing with his family. 

Education & Bar Admissions: 

Derek received his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Oregon in 1983 and his law degree from the University of Oregon Law School in 1987.

Derek was admitted to the Oregon State Bar Association in 1987, the United States District Court of Oregon in 2003, and the Washington State Bar Association in 2008.

Law Practice:

Derek is a trial attorney.  He has tried over 130 jury cases to verdict, winning over 80%.  His law practice specializes in civil litigation and white collar criminal defense.  Derek represents fraternities, transportation clients, hospitality businesses, professionals, in cases involving false imprisonment, personal injury, insurance fraud, products liability, and white collar criminal matters.  His regulatory work includes representation of professionals in licensing matters and defense of hospitality clients in OLCC litigation.

Derek is preferred NW counsel for Saks Fifth Avenue and is preferred outside counsel for ATTIC, Canal Insurance, Engle Martin & Company, FedEx Express, Founder's Insurance Company, Republic Services Inc., United Rentals and VanLiner Insurance.

Prior to joining the firm in 2002, Derek served as a Deputy District Attorney for Multnomah County, where he litigated major felony criminal cases including aggravated murder.  Since leaving the District Attorney's office, he has served as a special prosecutor for the District Attorney's office in conflict matters.  He is among a select group of attorneys chosen by The Portland Police Union to represent police officers involved in deadly force incidents.

Presentations

"Legal Update:  Criminal Law Issues"
Speaker - Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad Police Annual Regional Law Enforcement Conference, Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, Washington, 2013

"Cross Examination"
Conducted a live cross-examination of a major transportation company's Safety Director before seminar attendees and a mock jury- ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Florida, 2012

“Expert Witnesses”
Speaker- Lincoln High School, Forensics Class, 2012

“CSA- From the Boardroom to the Courtroom”
Speaker and Moderator- ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, California, 2011

“Liquor Liability Issues”
Speaker- ALFA International Hospitality Law Seminar, Westin Kierland Resort Scottsdale, Arizona, 2011

“Experts and Consultants”
Presentation to Moss Adams Business Risk Group, April, 2010

“Missing Driver - Legal Strategies”
ALFA International Transportation Law Seminar, Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, California, 2009

“Trial Evidence”
Presenter - Oregon State Bar CLE, 2008

“Winter Driving and Preserving Evidence”
Presenter- Oregon Trucking Association, 2008

“Mediation - The Empathic Approach”
Panel Moderator, ALFA Internatinal Transportation Law Seminar, Barton Springs Ranch Resort, Austin, Texas, 2007

“Making Winning Presentations to the Court in Motions to Suppress”
Presenter, Oregon Law Institute's Search & Seizure Summit, 2002

Client Comments:

"Thank you again for your excellent presentation yesterday.  We greatly appreciate that you took time from your schedule to talk to the group.  Your comments were very timely and insightful, and they provided valuable perspective on serving as an expert witness."