SLAM LAW - Swanson, Lathen, Alexander, McCann, Prestwich, PC

J. Michael “Mic” Alexander
Of Counsel

PRACTICE AREAS:
Personal Injury
Products Liability
Legal & Medical Malpractice
Insurance (Coverage Matters, Plaintiff)
Appeals

Mr. Alexander’s practice emphasizes civil litigation and appeals, particularly personal injury and insurance coverage disputes. He has tried approximately 100 jury trials, and has handled approximately 300 civil appeals.

Mr. Alexander was born in Beaumont, Texas. He is married and has two grown daughters. He served in the United States Air Force as a missile launch officer from 1968-72, receiving an honorable discharge at that time.

His professional work includes the following:

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
2006 Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedures Committee
American Academy of Appellate Attorneys, 1991-Present.
American Board of Trial Advocates, Inducted 2003
American College of Trial Lawyers, Inducted March 2002
American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America) 1982-Present.
American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America) Nat’l College of Advocacy (Advocate), 1993-Present
AV-Rated in Martindale Hubbell
Civil Law Advisory Committee, 2001-2004
Conflict of Laws Study Group, 2000-2001
Best Lawyers in America
Oregon Super Lawyers
Marion County Bar Association, 1975-Present
Oregon Council on Court Procedures, 1995-2000; Chair, 1999-2000
Oregon Jury Foundation Project, Board of Directors, 2000-2001
Oregon Rule of Law Program - Russia, 2002-2007
Oregon State Bar, 1975-Present
Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, 1975-Present
President, 2002-2003
Distinguished Trial Lawyer, 2011, Oregon Trial Lawyers’ Association
Awards Committee, 2000-2003
Board of Governors, 1984-88, 1994-200
Ethical Rule Change Committee, 2001-2003
Legislative Committee, 1993-present

APPOINTMENTS
Oregon Circuit and Appellate Courts
U.S. Federal District Court of Oregon
9th Cir. U.S. Court Of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court

AWARDS:
OTLA Volunteer of the Year
OTLA President’s Award, 2001
Owen M. Panner Professionalism Award, 2004

PUBLICATIONS:
Associate Editor, Willamette Law Journal, 1974-1975
Co-author, Insurance CLE - "Insurance Agents and Brokers", 1983
Author, Torts CLE - "Vicarious Liability", 1992
Author, Insurance CLE – "Extracontractual Damages", 1996, revised 1999

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
CLE Seminar: “Trial Communication Skills - How to be Effective in the Courtroom”, 4/21/95
CLE Seminar: “Torts & Civil Practice: New Oregon Legislative Changes”, 10/19/95
Hooding Ceremony, 1996
Willamette University School of Law CLE Seminar: “Handling Insurance Disputes”, 1/31/97
1997 OTLA Convention: “Wooing the Jury: Opening & Closing Arguments”
Orientation Program on Professionalism, Willamette University, 8/21/97
Marion County Bar, Brown Bag Series: “Successful Motion Practices”, 11/12/97
Trial Practice Class, Willamette University: “Closing Arguments” 1/13/98
Negotiation Class, Willamette University: “Negotiations”, 3/11/99
CLE SEMINAR: “From Classroom to Courtroom: Trial Techniques for the New Lawyer, 10/99
CLE Seminar: “Basics of Handling Auto Cases” 12/3/99
Mock Trial Class, Willamette University: “Voir Dire”, 4/4/00 CLE Seminar: “Keys to Winning an Appeal” 4/13/00
CLE Seminar: “Handling Auto Accident Cases” 6/9/00
CLE Seminar: “Practicing Law in the Oregon Court of Appeals” 5/03
Pacific Conference, Maui, Hawaii: Presentation- Solution to Medical Malpractice Insurance Crisis, 12/03
Willamette University Orientation, 2004

ILLUSTRATIVE CASES:
Trials
Vanduren v. Wilson, Lane County Circuit Court No. 169918280, Plaintiff’s verdict in excess of one million dollars.
Parmenter v. Farmers Insurance Co., Lane County Circuit Court, Plaintiff’s verdict in an action directly against an uninsured motorist carrier. See Carrier v. Hicks below.

APPEALS:
Carrier v. Hicks, 316 Or 341, 851 P2d 581, establishing the right to trial by jury in uninsured motorist cases.
Gaston v. Parsons, 318 Or 247, 864 P2d 1319, articulating the discovery rule for statute of limitations purposes.
Krieger v. Just, 319 Or 328, 876 P3d 754, discussing issues of the application of the Tort Claims Act.
Massee and Massee, 328 Or 195, 970 P2d 1203 (1999), addresses the application of a homemaker’s contribution to acquisition of marital assets.
Molodyh v. Truck Insurance Exchange, 304 Or 290, 744 P2d 992, establishing a right to jury trial following appraisal in fire insurance cases.
Rogers v. Meridian Park Hospital, 307 Or 612, 772 P2d 929, disapproving use of the “error of judgment” instruction in professional negligence cases.
Seely v. Hanson, 317 Or 476, 857 P2d 476, addressing the proof necessary to impose sanctions.
Shoup v. Walmart, 335 Or 164, 61 P3d 928 (2003), reversed prior reasoning and application of the “we can’t tell rule” for special v. general verdict.
Slogowski v. Lyness, 324 Or 436, 927 P2d 587, dealing with a utility company’s obligation to inspect dangerous trees along its right of way.
Weber and Weber, 337 Or 55, 91 P3d 706 (2004), rejects claim that husband’s post divorce increase in income, in and of itself, is sufficient to justify an upward increase in spousal support when the increase restore’s husband’s income to a level enjoyed at some time during the marriage.