Esler, Stephens & Buckley, LLP Attorneys at Law

“SUPER LAWYERS” “BEST LAWYERS^®” “BEST LAW FIRM”

We have a diverse, trial-focused practice in the areas of

Complex business litigation
Securities litigation
Intellectual property: patent (litigation), copyright, trademark, and trade secrets
Antitrust litigation
Trust litigation

Real estate litigation
Public utilities
Condemnation
Oppression of minority shareholders
Accounting malpractice
ERISA litigation

Our Firm

Esler, Stephens & Buckley, LLP is a limited liability partnership composed of Michael J. Esler, John W. Stephens, and formerly, Kim T. Buckley (retired partner emeritus). The Firm has a diverse, trial-focused practice in the areas of complex business litigation (trial and appellate work), antitrust, public utility law, real estate litigation, trust litigation, intellectual property (patent litigation, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks), business and nonprofit corporations, condemnation law, toxic torts, environmental law, securities fraud on behalf of investors, accounting malpractice and oppression of minority shareholders.

The Firm's partners have practiced together for more than 30 years, and have long had the highest ratings attainable from Martindale-Hubbell (“AV Preeminent”). All three are repeatedly Oregon “Super Lawyers” and “Best Lawyers^®” including for 2026, and the Firm is listed in the most recent edition of The Best Lawyers in America for its expertise in “Bet the Company” litigation, and litigation in the fields of Securities, Patent, Antitrust and Intellectual Property. Mike and John are Benchmark “Litigation Stars” as well. The Firm's practice is sophisticated and varied, and based almost entirely on referrals from other clients and attorneys. The Firm has been involved in an unusual number of reported cases, which reflect its multi-faceted practice.

The Team

Michael J. Esler
John W. Stephens
Kim T. Buckley (retired partner emeritus)
Gary Hardiman – Senior Paralegal
Christine Ortez – Advanced Certified Paralegal

John, Gary, Kim and Mike, in court following hearing successfully concluding almost $18 million in settlements in a recent securities fraud case.

OUR CLIENTS

The Firm's clients are diverse, reflecting the Firm's practice. The range has included large companies such as Pacific Seafood, Pewag USA, Honeywell, and Northwest Natural Gas, and government entities like TriMet, the City of Bend, and the City of West Linn, to smaller regional businesses (Ochoco Lumber), nonprofits (Sunriver Owners Association, Eckankar) and on trademark matters, Mary's Woods at Marylhurst, and restaurants like the former San Francisco landmark restaurant, Stars, celebrity chef Bradley Ogden's former restaurants – Funky Chicken, Hops & Harvest and Ogden's Pour Society, and Portland's own super chef David Machado's former spectacular rooftop restaurant Altabira.

The Firm represents many individuals as well, from CEOs, NBA players and highly regarded chefs, to hundreds of investors from all walks of life who have been victimized in some of the Northwest's biggest frauds, like Capital Consultants, Pac Equities, Sunwest, Willamette Development Services, Iris Capital, the Grifphon/Sasquatch hedge funds, Berjac, Aequitas, and American Eagle Mortgage.

Recent News & Highlights

February 2025: Mike Esler and Gary Hardiman are interviewed by indie filmmaker Sasha Santiago for his Keepers of Portland series on “individuals shaping Portland's future, emphasizing community unity and positive change,” viewable here: https://youtu.be/6JG1uDw7gCU?si=vv_Rl4YlS27skuhf
August 2024: The US District Court in Portland issues Order approving $4.5 million settlement with the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine in the American Eagle Class Action ES&B is handling with its co-counsel Larkins Vacura Kayser LLP. For more information visit www.americaneagleclassaction.com
April 2024: John Stephens’ service as coach helps Grant High School's Constitution Team win First Place in the 2024 “We the People” national competition in Washington DC: https://www.koin.com/news/portland/grant-high-school-constitution-team-takes-first-place-at-national-finals/
September 2023: ES&B and its co-counsel Larkins Vacura Kayser file a wrongful termination case on behalf of a terminated executive against Sortis Holdings.
May 2023: Mike Esler and our co-counsel Chris Kayser are quoted in an article in The Oregonian following closing arguments in the 5-week criminal trial of three Aequitas executives. The jury deliberated for 3 days and found all 3 executives guilty of most all of the charges.
April 2023: John Stephens’ service as coach helps Grant High School's Constitution Team win second place in the 2023 “We the People” national competition in Washington DC: https://classroomlaw.org/student-programs/we-the-people/wtp-competitions/
February 2023: ES&B congratulates its former Office Assistant, Maria Hardiman, on her role as Communications Director for Attorney General Maura Healey's successful campaign for Governor of Massachusetts. Maria previously served as Director of Digital Communications and Strategy for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and is a graduate of Boston University. She will now join Gov. Healey's administration as Communications Director for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.