Firm News

Profile: Vancouver, Washington Bankruptcy Office

Posted Wed, 03/20/2013 - 09:45 by admin

Our Vancouver, Washington office has been helping Washington consumers in need since 2011. Located in Downtown Vancouver, there is ample on-street parking and access to mass transportation. The lead bankruptcy attorney in the Vancouver office is Kirsten Baxter. She has been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 2010, and the Washington State Bar Association since 2011. She holds a B.S. in Engineering from Northeastern University, and J.D. from the Willamette School of Law. To learn more about Kirsten Baxter, click here.

Vancouver, Washington is a community of approximately 160,000, located across the Columbia River to the north of Portland. The City's website (cityofvancouver.us) recounts: "In May, 1792, American trader/sailor Robert Gray became the first non-native to enter the fabled “Great River of the West,” the Columbia River. Later that year, British Lt. William Broughton, serving under Capt. George Vancouver, explored 100 miles upriver. Along the way, he named a point of land along the shore in honor of his commander." Today, Vancouver is a hub of culture and outdoor activities. For driving directions to the Vancouver, Washington office, click here.

Baxter & Baxter Lawyer Comments on Debt Buyer Legislation in Portland Business Journal

Posted Fri, 03/15/2013 - 16:42 by admin

The Portland Business Journal recently reported on the legislation requiring fuller disclosures by debt buyers, which buy up portfolios of defaulted debt. Baxter commented “The big issue is the problem where somebody had a bill back in the ’90s that lay dormant and then was sold to another company that the consumers never heard of. They have no relationship (with the debt buyer). Then they get a bill or it shows up on their credit report.”

Click here for the online version of the article.

Lyndon Ruhnke Lectures on Bankruptcy for Oregon Trial Lawyers Consumer Protection Section

Posted Mon, 03/11/2013 - 14:04 by admin

Bankruptcy AttorneyLyndon Ruhnke, of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, lectured on the effect of bankruptcy on tort litigation for the Consumer Protection Section of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). For nearly 60 years, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) and its plaintiff attorney members have advocated for the rights of consumers by promoting safer products, workers' rights, and patient safety. OTLA works to ensure access to Oregon’s justice system, promote juries and jury service.

Lyndon Ruhnke is the lead attorney in the Bankruptcy Practice Group of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. He represents consumer debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. For more information about Lyndon Ruhnke, click here.

Justin Baxter Comments on Foreclosures in Portland Business Journal

Posted Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:04 by admin

The Portland Business Journal recently reported on the looming showdown between consumers and banks over foreclosures in Oregon. The process of nonjudicial foreclosures has been at issue in both the courts and the Oregon Legislature throughout 2012, and as a consequence, the number of foreclosures in Oregon has ground almost to a halt. Baxter noted, "There’s this giant backlog of foreclosures that’s going to hit Oregon within the next six months."

Click here for the online version of the article.

Lyndon Ruhnke Receives Martindale Hubbell AV Rating

Posted Wed, 02/20/2013 - 15:53 by admin

Bankruptcy AttorneyLyndon Ruhnke, of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, has received the prestigious AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The AV® rating is the highest such peer review rating available to any individual lawyer.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings system is based on the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not. Martindale-Hubbell representatives conduct personal interviews to discuss lawyers under review with other members of the Bar. A compilation of these opinions from various sources is necessary to form a consensus, and lawyers under review are sometimes asked to provide professional references to assist with the process. In addition, confidential questionnaires are sent to lawyers and judges in the same geographic location and/or area of practice as the lawyer being rated. Members of the Bar are instructed to assess their colleague's legal ability and general ethical standards.

There are two components to Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

1. General Ethical Standards Rating
The General Ethical Standards Rating denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities.

The General Recommendation Rating is:
V - Very High

A lawyer must receive a General Ethical Standards Rating before his or her review can proceed to the next step.

2. Legal Ability Ratings
Legal Ability Ratings take into consideration the standard of professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer's expertise, and other professional qualifications. If a lawyer's practice is limited or specialized, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are based on performance in those specific fields of law.

Legal Ability Ratings are:

Lyndon Ruhnke Testifies in Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Bankruptcy Exemptions

Posted Mon, 02/18/2013 - 15:28 by admin

Bankruptcy AttorneyOn February 18, 2013, Lyndon Ruhnke of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, testified to the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Senate Bill 396. Proposed amendments to that bill would permit debtors in bankruptcy to choose federal bankruptcy exemptions, and a significant increase in the homestead exemption.

Repeal of ORS 18.300 allows debtors to choose federal bankruptcy exemptions. This would allow consumers to file bankruptcy when they need to file, as opposed to waiting for tax refunds or having to jump over unreasonable pre-filing hurdles. Further, once the debtor files, it keeps more money with the debtor in Oregon, rather than sending it to out-of-state creditors.

Because of the increased wildcard, it allows the average debtor to complete their bankruptcy with more than $400 in the bank and a car worth more than $3,000. This is an anti-poverty measure that helps the working poor in both urban and rural districts.

Baxter & Baxter Attorney Quoted in Portland Business Journal Article on Bankruptcy Filings

Posted Fri, 02/15/2013 - 12:50 by admin

The Portland Business Journal included comment by Justin Baxter of Baxter & Baxter, LLP. The story noted that bankruptcy filings in Oregon had fallen for the second year in a row. However, Baxter cautioned that the filings may be artificially low, due to recent court cases dealing with the foreclosure process in Oregon.

Click here for the online version of the article.

Justin Baxter Lectures on Binding Arbitration for Oregon Trial Lawyers Consumer Protection Section

Posted Mon, 02/11/2013 - 12:50 by admin

On February 11, 2013, Justin Baxter of Baxter & Baxter, LLP, lectured with Phil Goldsmith on binding private arbitration for the Consumer Protection Section of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). The primary focus of the lecture was challenging arbitration clauses under Vasquez-Lopez v. Beneficial Oregon, Inc., 210 Or. App. 553, 152 P.3d 940 (2007).

For nearly 60 years, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) and its plaintiff attorney members have advocated for the rights of consumers by promoting safer products, workers' rights, and patient safety. OTLA works to ensure access to Oregon’s justice system, promote juries and jury service.

Hillsboro, Oregon Office Moves

Posted Fri, 02/01/2013 - 13:19 by admin

We have moved our Hillsboro, Oregon office. The new address is:

Baxter & Baxter, LLP
5291 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 140
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
(503) 681-9752

Click on the map below for driving directions:


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Oregon State Bar Releases Consumer Law in Oregon: Fair Credit Reporting Act

Posted Mon, 01/07/2013 - 17:54 by admin

The Oregon State Bar has released its online version of the Fair Credit Reporting Act Section in the 2012-2013 revision of Consumer Law in Oregon, authored by Justin Baxter of Baxter & Baxter, LLP.

Justin Baxter's practice focuses on consumer litigation with an emphasis on credit reporting and unlawful debt collection cases. In 2007, he obtained a $200,000 verdict against Equifax for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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