Bill Taaffe
Managing Partner
Expertise Overview

Specializing in the defense of large loss and catastrophic injury claims, Managing Partner Bill Taaffe regularly defends claims based on premises liability, products liability, liquor liability (Dram Shop), defamation, commercial auto liability, and general negligence. If it is a large, complex case, it often ends up on Bill’s desk.

In addition to his expertise in the Commercial Lines realm, Bill has considerable international business experience–having worked in several different countries over a period of many years. His international background has provided him with the ability to masterfully view case handling situations through multiple perspectives and continues to help him find creative solutions to complex legal matters.

Bill has extensive experience defending large, complex GL claims ranging up to 28 million dollars. He has successfully represented clients from all over the US and abroad and, in the last 5 years, Bill has successfully defended many complicated matters involving products liability, fire loss, premises liability, and Dram Shop. He regularly obtains excellent results for his clients–often far beyond expectations.

In sports parlance—Bill has a “strong motor”—always ready to jump on a plane to meet with out-of-state clients, work long hours, and do whatever is necessary to fully defend a claim and take care of his clients.

 

Education

Lewis and Clark Law School, J.D.
Temple University, M.A., Education
University of Oregon, B.A. Political Science

Professional Certification & Accolades

Member, Oregon State Bar Association
Member, Washington State Bar Association
Member, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Member, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Star - 2020, 2021
Best Lawyers in America, 2024
Black Belt Trial Advocacy Training Program Graduate
Proficient in the Japanese Language

Practice Areas
  • Practice Area
    • Commercial Liability Defense
    • Negligence
    • Trucking & Transportation
    • Products Liability
    • Slip and Fall
    • Timber Trespass
    • Tenant Landlord
    • Premises Liability
    • Jobsite Injury
    • Wrongful Death
    • Dram Shop & Tavern Keeper
    • Professional Lines (EPL,D&O,E&O)
    • Excess and Surplus Lines
Bar Admissions
  • Oregon
  • Washington
on-demand
Webinar Commercial Liability Defense Dram Shop & Tavern Keeper Jobsite Injury Negligence Premises Liability Products Liability Slip and Fall Tenant Landlord Timber Trespass Trucking & Transportation Wrongful Death 2018 – Year In Review – Commercial Lines in Oregon Thursday November 8, 2018 By: William Taaffe
Bill Taaffe Case Update Legal Alert Commercial Liability Defense Oregon Case Law Update: Oregon Court of Appeals Reminds Litigants That Destruction of Evidence Can Warrant Serious Sanctions Thursday October 25, 2018 By: William Taaffe
Medical Records Legal Alert Commercial Liability Defense Washington Legislative Update: Washington’s New Law Restricts Access to Medical Records in Discrimination Suits Thursday June 21, 2018 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert First & Third Party / SIU Property Loss Oregon Case Law Update: Oregon Supreme Court Limits Claims Based on Abuse of Vulnerable Persons Wednesday February 14, 2018 By: William Taaffe
on-demand
Webinar Commercial Liability Defense General Litigation Handling Sexual Abuse Claims in Oregon and Washington Tuesday February 13, 2018 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Washington Case Law Update: Employer Not Strictly Liable for Missed Meal Breaks Thursday August 17, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Oregon Employment Law Update: Oregon’s New “Predictive Scheduling” Law Thursday August 17, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Oregon Employment Law Update: Oregon’s New Minimum Wage Law Now in Effect Thursday July 27, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Oregon Case Law Update: No Attorney Fees for Unlawful Withholding of Wages Where Defendant Acted in Good Faith Wednesday June 14, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Oregon Employment Law Update: Oregon Changes Law on Pay Equity Wednesday June 7, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Oregon Case Law Update: Oregon Trial Court Rolls Back BOLI Guidance on Overtime Laws Thursday May 25, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Commercial Liability Defense Jobsite Injury Washington Case Law Update: Jobsite Owner Not Entitled to Reduce Liability by Allocating Fault Thursday March 30, 2017 By: William Taaffe
Legal Alert Employment Update: FLSA Overtime Rule Blocked Until May 2017 Wednesday February 22, 2017 By: William Taaffe