Paul Fortino, of Perkins Coie's Portland Office, Named to the Board of Regents for the American College of Trial Lawyers

PORTLAND, ORE. (October 15, 2007) – Perkins Coie Portland Partner Paul Fortino has been named to the Board of Regents of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL).  He is the regent for the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

The ACTL is the premier professional organization for trial attorneys in the United States and Canada.  Membership is limited to the top 1% of the total lawyer population of any state of province.

"This is a tremendous honor for Paul and the firm from one of the nation's most prestigious group of lawyers," said Robert Giles, firmwide managing partner.

The ACTL's affairs are managed by the Board of Regents, which consists of five officers and 15 Regents.  Each of these has an assigned jurisdiction of states and/or provinces, as well as liaison responsibility for a number of general committees.  The Regents are elected to four-year terms by the members at the Annual Meeting.

Fortino is one of 10 Perkins Coie attorneys that have been elected fellows of the ACTL.  He has more than 30 years of legal experience and has been first chair at hundreds of jury trials, bench trials, injunctive proceedings and dispositive motions.

The ACTL, founded in 1950, is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada.  Fellowship in the college is extended by invitation only, after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and those whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.  Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years' experience before they can be considered for fellowship.  Membership in the college cannot exceed 1% of the total lawyer population of any state or province.  Fellows are carefully selected from among those who represent plaintiffs and those who represent defendants in civil cases; and those who prosecute and those who defend persons accused of crime.  The college is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the administration of justice.  The college strives to improve and elevate the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the trial profession.