Aldrich | Goldstein
A Proven Track Record You Can Feel Good About

Dean E. Aldrich

  • Founder
  • Lawyer
Dean E. Aldrich

Location:

Portland, OR

Phone:

Fax:

503-226-7046

Email:

Dean E. Aldrich | Best Lawyers | Lawyer of the Year 2022 | Construction Law | Portland, OR, United States

Dean Aldrich received his law degree, cum laude, from Tulane University, and received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering, with high scholarship, from Oregon State University. During college, Dean worked in heavy highway construction and building construction. After graduating from college, Dean was a project manager for an international building construction company based out of Portland, Oregon. Dean then traveled to New Orleans to attend law school at Tulane. In addition to graduating with honors, Dean was a member of the Tulane National Moot Court team that swept the southeast regional tournament, and advanced to the finals in New York City.

After graduating from law school, Dean focused his legal career on complex litigation. Dean has successfully handled complex trials and arbitrations involving a variety of claims (environmental, trade secrets, construction payment and delay, product liability, construction defect, business, water use, insurance coverage, government liability).

With regard to construction claims, Dean has been involved in resolving significant construction disputes in Oregon, negotiating multi-million dollar settlements, as well as obtaining an $11.8 million dollar jury verdict in a construction defect trial in Multnomah County. Dean also prevailed in a complex insurance coverage trial that has significant impacts for all construction defect cases in Oregon. Further, Dean has regularly handled breach of contract, payment and delay disputes from all sides (owner, contractor, subcontractor, supplier, architect, consultant) throughout his career, for claims large and small, complex and straightforward, and during boom and bust cycles.

With regard to product liability cases, Dean has successfully defended domestic and foreign manufacturers and distributors in a variety of complex product liability cases in state and federal court involving automobiles, ATVs, motorcycles, engine components, machinery, asbestos, building products, and recalled products. Dean has also prosecuted product liability claims involving a variety of products, achieving significant jury verdicts.

Dean also has served as general counsel for several companies, and has resolved all manner of business disputes. Dean has also drafted and negotiated complex business and construction contracts nationwide.

Dean is an AV Peer Review Rated attorney according to the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Ability and General Ethics Standards Rating system, which is a century-long tradition for rating lawyers. Based on the confidential opinions of lawyers and judges, Dean is recognized as pre-eminent, and has reached the height of professional excellence and the highest levels of skill and integrity. Dean is also recognized by Best Lawyers.

Dean is a member of numerous legal organizations and construction/engineering organizations, and is a frequent speaker on construction litigation. Dean is active in the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and has testified before the Oregon Legislature on construction law issues. Dean is also often sought out as a construction law expert by the local news media.

Areas Of Practice

  • Construction 55%
  • Product Liability 25%
  • Business 10%
  • Real Estate 5%
  • Insurance 5%

Bar Admissions

  • Oregon, 1996
  • Florida, 1994
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court District of Oregon

Education

  • Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana
    • J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1994
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: Tulane National Moot Court
  • Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
    • B.S.C.E., Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with High Scholarship - 1988
    • Honors: Scott Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship

Published Works

  • Residential Construction, Construction Law, Oregon State Bar Legal Publications, 2011

Representative Cases

  • Goodwin v. Kingsmen Plastering, Inc., 359 Or 694 (2015)
  • Weston v. Camp’s Lumber, et al., 206 Or App 347 (2006) rev. dismissed, 342 Or 665 (2007)
  • McFadden v. Dryvit, 2006 WL 696253 (D Or 2006)
  • Schray v. Fireman’s Fund, 402 F Supp 1212 (D Or 2005)
  • McFadden v. Dryvit Systems, Inc., 2004 WL 2278542, 54 UCC Rep Serv 2d 934 (D Or 2004)
  • Richardson v. Travelers Property Cas. Ins. Co., 2004 WL 1173186 (D Or 2004)
  • Naumes v. Alimentos Del Caribe, 77 F Supp 2d 1158 (D Or 1999)
  • Harris v. Suniga, 209 Or App 410 (2006), aff’d with opinion, 344 Or 301, (2008)

Classes / Seminars

  • Construction Contracts, Risks & Insurance Seminar, The Seminar Group , 2017 to Present
  • The Evolving World of Construction Defects; The Seminar Group; 2013, 2010, 2009
  • Oregon Construction Law – Unique Construction-Related Issues and Developments; Lorman CLE; 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
  • Oregon Construction Defect Law Update; MC Consultants; 2010
  • Diminished Value Cases – From Cars to Condos; Oregon Association of Defense Counsel; 2009
  • Case Law Updates; Community Association Institute – Oregon Chapter; 2009
  • Real Estate and Land Use 2009 Annual Meeting – ‘Construction Defect Litigation;’ Oregon State Bar – Real Estate and Land Use Section; 2009
  • Trial of a Construction Defect Case; Multnomah Bar Association; 2009
  • Managing Subcontractors and Staying Compliant; Lorman CLE; 2008
  • Practical, Legal, and Factual Analysis of Actual Projects That Have Gone Bad; Lorman CLE; 2007
  • Litigation Skills for Legal Staff; National Association of Legal Secretaries of Portland (Oregon); 2011, 2009, 2007

Honors And Awards

  • AV Peer Review Rated Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Ability and General Ethics Standards Rating system
  • Best Lawyers

Professional Associations And Memberships

  • American Society of Civil Engineers, Member, Present
  • American Association for Justice, Member, Present
  • American Bar Association
  • Colorado Federal Courts, Member (inactive)
  • Construction Institute, Member, Present
  • Construction Specifications Institute, Member, Present
  • Florida State and Federal Courts, Member (inactive)
  • Multnomah County Bar Association, Member, Present
  • Oregon State and Federal Courts, Member, Present
  • Oregon State Bar Association (Construction, Litigation, Product Liability, and Real Estate Sections), Member
  • Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Present
  • Public Justice, Member, Present
  • Oregon State University Men’s Rugby Club Alumni, Board Member, 2010 - Present
  • Southeast Community Food Pantry, Board Member, 2015 - Present
  • The Other Bar Board of Directors, 2017 - Present
  • Milne Construction Co., Board Member, 2012 - 2016

Past Employment Positions

  • Milne Construction, Project Manager, 1988 to 1991
  • Judicial Extern, Judge Owen Panner, 1993
  • Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (now Earthjustice), 1994 to 1996
  • Tarlow Jordan Schrader (now known as Jordan Ramis), Associate, 1996 to 2000

Languages

  • English