About Max

Professional Experience
I attended law school at the University of Oregon School of Law in Eugene after receiving my undergraduate degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. I grew up in Washington State, and have always lived in the Pacific Northwest.

During law school I clerked for The Law Office of Bill Kloos in Eugene, dealing with a land use case that involved extensive wetland law and endangered species issues. I also externed with The Honorable Gregory J. Foote in Lane County Circuit Court, which gave me the opportunity to see how other attorneys approached cases in both settlement/resolution, and in trial settings.

I worked in Polk County as a Deputy District Attorney from 2005 to 2014. I represented the State of Oregon and worked closely with other members of law enforcement. During that time I’ve handled thousands of cases from initial charging and review through sentencing and probation violation hearings. I appeared in numerous motions hearings, and learned how to spot issues and errors in cases. I also handled the juvenile docket in Polk County, which included juvenile delinquencies (youth crime), and juvenile dependencies with the Oregon Department of Human Services. I have extensive experience in all 3 areas. I was also a member of the Polk County Drug Court team, and assisted in efforts to help rehabilitate drug dependent persons.

I have attended numerous trainings, by law enforcement and other agencies, listed below.

I will provide statewide representation, primarily serving the following Oregon counties:

  • Multnomah County
  • Washington County
  • Clackamas County
  • Columbia County
  • Marion County
  • Yamhill County
  • Linn County
  • Polk County.

Work Experience

  • Appeared before judges in Polk, Linn, Lincoln, and Marion Counties
  • Judge and jury trials representing the State of Oregon in Polk County Circuit Court
  • Motions hearings representing the State of Oregon in Polk County Circuit Court
  • Represented the State of Oregon in juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, and criminal prosecution
  • Prosecuted all levels of crime - from Measure 11 Felonies to violations.
  • Experienced Litigator - Taken nearly 200 cases to trial, with an 86% success rate, and settled thousands of cases.

Bar Admissions

  • Admitted to practice in the State of Oregon
  • Admitted to practice in US District Court
  • Member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Education
Juris Doctor, University of Oregon School of Law, 2005
Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Member of Land Air Water, and helped to organize the 2003 and 2004 Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene
Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, Whitman College, 2000, graduated with distinction

Trainings
Trial Advocacy I, National District Attorney’s Association, Columbia, SC, 2007 
Oregon District Attorney’s Association Summer Conference Criminal Program, 2006, 2007, 
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 
Oregon Department of Justice Sexual Assault Task Force Biennial Prosecutor Training, 2011 
Oregon Department of Justice Basic Prosecutor Training, 2006
Oregon Judicial Department Juvenile Court Improvement Program, 2007 & 2008
Through the Eyes of a Child, Juvenile Court Improvement Project Model Court, 2008
Oregon District Attorney’s Association Juvenile Dependency Training, 2008
DUII Multi-Disciplinary Conference, 2006, 2008
DUII Training - Protecting Lives – Saving Futures, 2007
Recognizing Child Abuse and Fulfilling Your Duty to Report, 2006
Breaking Poverty Barriers: Concrete Tools for Lawyers, 2006 
Standardized Field Sobriety Test Training/Refresher Course, DPSST, 2006

Outside Activities
Music - songwriting, playing a wide variety of instruments. 

Washtub bassist - Won the Multnomah County Bar Association “Best Oregon Lawyer Band” competition in 2012 with the Over the Counter Jug Band.

Cooking and Homebrewing

Bicycling