Dunn Carney is strengthening its commercial real estate team, already among the largest in the state, with the addition of four Oregon attorneys with deep roots and experience in the region. The firm is also adding a veteran construction attorney.
Dunn Carney welcomes attorneys Steve Janik, Damien Hall, Chris Walters and Nikesh Patel, who together comprise the real estate and land use transactional practitioners from the Portland office of Ball Janik LLP. Dunn Carney’s expanded real estate team now includes nearly 20 well-respected real estate and land use attorneys with decades of experience representing private developers, public entities, landlords and tenants, with a focus on commercial real estate.
In addition, Dunn Carney welcomes construction attorney Angie Otto, also formerly of Portland’s Ball Janik office. Otto is an established attorney performing both transactional and litigation services for construction industry clients.
“We have great admiration and respect for Ball Janik’s work, and the history and stature of the firm and its founder, Steve Janik” said Dunn Carney Managing Partner Jon Bennett. “Joining our two practice groups provides a unique opportunity for us to add a veteran group of attorneys whose practices dovetail with ours, while allowing us to expand our expertise into new areas such as renewable energy and public entity representation. We’re very excited about our future together, both for our new and existing Dunn Carney attorneys, and for the mutual clients we will serve.”
“Dunn Carney strikes the perfect balance of historic roots in the Portland community and the modern operations and capabilities of a large firm. It is the quintessential Portland full-service law firm for any real estate developer, business owner, or local government,” said Damien Hall, who joins Dunn Carney as a Partner on January 1, 2023. “Closing the Ball Janik Portland office marks the end of a great local institution, but I eagerly look forward to the resources the Dunn Carney platform offers clients and attorneys.”
Meet Dunn Carney’s New Attorneys
Damien Hall focuses his practice on land use and real estate issues arising in urban redevelopment, public/private partnerships, and utility scale renewable energy projects. Hall is recognized as a leading land use practitioner in Oregon by Chambers USA and nationally as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500. In addition to his land use practice, Hall is active in the Portland community, serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of CareOregon, the Chair of the Home Forward Commission, a member of the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission, and on the Board of Directors for Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. and Suma.
Steve Janik has argued several of Oregon’s landmark land use cases during his 40-plus year legal career. His principal practice areas are real estate, real estate finance, and land use law, with an emphasis on large, high-profile projects, including mixed-use, multi-block developments, major office towers, hotels, and major league sports arenas and stadiums. He represented the City of Portland in the development and financing of the Rose Garden, and multiple renovations of Providence Park. He also represented the Washington State Public Stadium Authority in the $430 million development, construction and leasing of the Seahawks stadium, now Lumen Field. Steve has also served on numerous non-profit boards including being Chair of the OHSU Foundation and on the Executive Committee of the Knight Cancer Institute.
Angie Otto represents general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, owners, and developers in construction disputes, litigation, arbitration and mediation. She also represents clients on significant delay and impact claims, complex contractual disputes, and other matters pertaining to the design and construction of multi-million dollar facilities. Angie has been involved in numerous complex construction and design claims, several significant delay and impact claims, countless lien foreclosure and breach actions, and multiple construction defect suits. She regularly appears in state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington, and has significant mediation and arbitration experience. She has been recognized by both Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers since 2018.
Nikesh Patel assists clients on affordable housing, mixed-use, commercial, and community developments in high-density urban centers, and utility scale renewable energy projects in rural areas. As an honors attorney with the City of Portland, Nikesh advised city bureaus on housing and development programs and assisted in the development of legislation and administrative rules for various development programs. In addition, Nikesh has worked extensively with small businesses, large corporations, and institutional clients as an associate at a major international law firm and at a reputable boutique law firm. As a native of Portland, Nikesh enjoys serving his community through his involvement with local land use, real estate, and community organizations.
Chris Walters has represented public and private clients for over 30 years in the areas of real estate, construction, public procurement, venture formation and governance, financing, property management and dispute resolution. His public agency clients have included the State of Oregon, the City of Portland, the Portland Development Commission (now Prosper Portland), the City of Vancouver, and a host of Oregon school districts, colleges, and special districts.
About Dunn Carney
Founded in 1930, Dunn Carney is one of Oregon’s largest law firms, with experienced lawyers offering practical legal solutions in areas including real estate law, business law, litigation and estate planning and administration. From offices in Portland and Salem, Dunn Carney attorneys advise clients in industries including real estate, construction, agriculture, hospitality, healthcare and insurance. Current Dunn Carney partners and counsel practicing in the real estate and land use areas include: Ken Antell, Jon Bennett, Tim Bernasek, John Chambers, Daniel Drazan, Susan Glen, Tim Hering, Bill Joseph, Sarah Liljefelt, Gil Parker, Coni Rathbone, Josh Stadtler, Ty Wyman and Real Estate Practice Group
