Kevin Clonts
Attorney Biography
Kevin's practice focuses on complex litigation matters, including environmental, construction defect and insurance coverage disputes. Kevin also represents business entities in litigation involving business dissolutions, contract disputes, intellectual property disputes, and target defendants (including business and government entities) in complex products liability and construction defect matters. Before joining the firm and moving back to Portland, Kevin practiced law in California, specializing in complex commercial, products liability, and construction litigation.
At Lewis & Clark School of Law, Kevin served as an editor of the Lewis & Clark Law Review (formerly the Journal of Small & Emerging Business Law) and as an elected representative to the Student Bar Association. At Indiana University, the University Trustees awarded Kevin the Senior Achievement Award.
Attorney Experience
Representative Matters
Representative Matters
Defense verdict returned by Seattle jury after a 4-week asbestos exposure trial. Plaintiff alleged mesothelioma from exposures on the client’s premises, alleging premises liability and retained control causes of action, and sought $7 million in damages. The jury returned a complete defense verdict after less than a day of deliberation.
In a product liability toxic tort case, obtained summary judgment dismissal. Plaintiff alleged that a personal air monitor malfunctioned, resulting in exposure to toxic fumes in a confined space and the need for a double lung transplant and $94 million in damages.
Obtained over $30,000 in sanctions in favor of client due to opposing party’s repeated discovery abuses.
While defending the developer in a construction defect condominium matter, obtained a series of partial summary judgments against the general contractor and subcontractors, which allowed the developer to settle on favorable terms.
In Oregon asbestos matter, obtained dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction.
In 45-party California asbestos matter, successfully convinced trial court to grant forum non-conveniens motion, despite contrary appellate law, requiring plaintiffs to re-file their claim in Oregon.
Coordinated and brokered rare alliance between defendants in an insurance broker liability matter allowing defendants to quickly and economically dispose of plaintiff's claims.
In a construction defect matter, successfully argued motion for summary judgment based on intended beneficiary theories and plaintiff's failure to comply with statutory notice procedures.
Recognition and Awards
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in three categories: Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, and Insurance Litigation
- Graduated First in Class and Magna Cum Laude, Lewis & Clark School of Law
- Cornelius Honor Society, Lewis & Clark School of Law
- Notes & Comments Editor, Lewis & Clark Law Review (formerly the Journal of Small & Emerging Business Law)
- Graduated Cum Laude, Indiana University
- Phi Beta Kappa
Professional and Civic Involvement
- President - Oregon State Chapter of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) (2018-2019)
- Vice-Chair, ABA Toxic Torts and Environmental Law General Committee (Present)
- Member at Large, Oregon State Bar Diversity Section Executive Committee (2016-2017)
- Chair - OGALLA: The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon (2012-2015)
- Founding Member - Oregon Judicial Diversity Coalition (2012-2014)
- ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Member
Presentations and Articles
- Wrap Policies – Pitfalls and Advantages, CLM Construction Conference, 2019
- The Tightening Vice: Trends in Washington Bad Faith Law, Seattle CPCU, 2019
- Trends in Insurance Coverage and Environmental Risks, ABA Toxic Tort Conference, 2016
- Mind the Gap: Issues with Gaps in Insurance Coverage for Construction Professionals, CLM Construction Conference, 2016