Michael B. Merchant

Michael B. Merchant is a highly regarded civil litigation attorney and a partner at Black Helterline LLP. His firm is based in Portland, Oregon, and he provides representation to his business and individual clients throughout the greater metropolitan area and other parts of the state. 

Mr. Merchant is admitted to practice in Oregon and Washington. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, the U.S. District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Merchant has handled a variety of complex matters since joining the firm in September 1997, and he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants at the trial and appellate levels. The cases on which he has worked have involved insurance coverage, real estate, business torts, securities violations, contract breaches, environmental disputes and employment law matters. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Merchant also provides risk management advice and counsel to business attorneys at his firm as well as to many of their clients. His superior track record has earned him a Distinguished* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell along with many other honors and awards from his colleagues.

Mr. Merchant studied at the University of Washington and received a bachelor of arts degree in 1985. He then went on to attend the University of Oregon School of Law, graduating with his juris doctor degree in 1988. He is active in the Multnomah Bar Association and in numerous civic organizations as well.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.