My Story
Early Inspiration and Legal Education
I grew up in The Bronx without knowing any lawyers, but I always thought I might want to be one. After graduating from Haverford College, I took a job as a litigation paralegal at Covington & Burling, a large corporate law firm in Washington, D.C. I wanted to see firsthand what lawyers did every day before committing to law school. That experience confirmed my passion for the law and led me to The University of Chicago Law School, where I graduated with Honors, served on the University of Chicago Law Review, and did clinical work at the MacArthur Justice Center.
Judicial Clerkships: Learning from the Court
After law school, I had the privilege of clerking for two federal judges—Judge Ed Carnes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and Judge Shira Scheindlin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. These experiences sharpened my legal writing and gave me a deep understanding of how judges make decisions at both the trial and appellate levels.
Litigation: From Corporate Cases to the Courtroom
I began my legal career as a corporate litigator at Shea & Gardner (now the Washington, DC office of Goodwin Procter), where I worked on a wide range of cases, from mass tort, business and employment disputes to intellectual property and administrative law. I moved to Oregon in 2004 and joined the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office in early 2005. During my time at a deputy district attorney, I tried approximately 50 felony and misdemeanor cases, gaining invaluable courtroom experience.
Wanting to use my trial skills to advocate for individuals, I left the DA’s Office to work as a plaintiff’s trial lawyer with Elden Rosenthal and Mike Greene. For the next decade, we litigated civil rights, medical and legal negligence, and personal injury cases. I also briefed and argued cases before the Oregon Court of Appeals. Eventually, I took over the firm, now Devlin Law, where I continue to fight for individuals seeking justice.
Becoming a Mediator
Through my years in litigation, I came to appreciate that while trials are sometimes necessary, they always should be a last resort. That realization led me to mediation, where I help parties resolve disputes outside the courtroom. I trained at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School’s Executive Education and am now a member of the Oregon Mediation Association, mediating a wide range of civil cases.
Professional Recognition and Mentorship
I have been recognized in Oregon Super Lawyers (since 2014) and U.S. News – Best Lawyers (since 2016). I served on the Oregon State Bar Committee on Uniform Civil Jury Instructions, including as chair in 2015, and I mentor young attorneys through the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, co-leading their Trial Lawyer Academy 201. I am also a member of the Oregon State Bar House of Delegates and serve as the Chair of the Oregon Chapter of the Mindfulness in Law Society.
Mindfulness and Lawyer Well-Being
I believe that a daily mindfulness practice can help lawyers manage stress and thrive in this demanding profession. In 2021, the Oregon State Bar Bulletin published my article, Mindfulness 101: Why and How to Get Started, and I lead CLE courses on mental health and mindfulness for lawyers. If your firm or legal group is interested in learning more, I’d love to talk.
Giving Back to the Community
From an early age, I was taught that using my skills to help others should be my highest priority. I serve on the board of Path Home, a nonprofit helping families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Every summer, my wife and I organize a fundraising drive to provide backpacks and school supplies to children being served by Path Home—an effort that has helped over 900 kids in the past nine years.
Beyond the Law
When I’m not in the office, you’ll probably find me playing in my weekly pool league, reading crime fiction, or watching the Yankees, Knicks, and Rangers.
