Professional Biography

Douglas R. Pahl Partner

  • Portland

    D +1.503.727.2087

    F +1.503.346.2087

    Portland

    1120 NW Couch Street, 10th Floor

    Portland, OR 97209-4128

    +1.503.727.2087

    DPahl@perkinscoie.com

loader

Overview

During their most critical challenges, Doug stands as a staunch legal advocate for leading businesses. 
 
Douglas Pahl counsels companies in a broad range of matters, including litigation, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, and administrative proceedings. Adept in the courtroom, Doug represents businesses in complex commercial litigation and reorganization issues, creditors' rights, including judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings, and associated litigation. He also regularly advises secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, committees, guarantors, officers and directors, asset and claim purchasers, and other constituencies in litigation, bankruptcies, receiverships, and out-of-court workouts. 
 
A community champion, Doug serves in a variety of leadership roles, including president of the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Turnaround Management Association. 

court columns

Portland’s Trial-Tested Team

Handling the most consequential, bet-the-company matters, we protect our clients’ reputations, brands, people, and other critical assets. We bring our institutional knowledge to a broad roster of companies across industries, including those from the education, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Learn more

Ranked by Chambers USA Three Years in a Row

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

Professional Recognition

  • Ranked by Chambers USA, as "America's Leading Lawyers" for Bankruptcy and Restructuring, 2022-2024
  • Named Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2018
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2013-2024
  • Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, "Oregon Super Lawyers," 2008-2023

Professional Leadership

  • Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative for the District of Oregon, 2023-present
  • Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court, Executive Committee Member, 2008-present; President, 2016-2018
  • Oregon Law Commission, UCC Working Group, 2008-2009; Receivership Code Working Group, 2016-2017
  • Oregon State Bar Debtor/Creditor Section, Executive Committee Member, 2007-2008
  • American Bankruptcy Institute, Member 
  • Turnaround Management Association, Member
  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • Oregon State Bar Association, Member

Community Involvement

  • U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society, Board of Directors, 2016-present; Vice President, 2019-2023; President, 2023-present
  • Oregon Historical Society, Board of Directors, 2011-2020
  • The Hatfield Project, Board of Directors, 2010-2015
  • Asst. Coach, Classroom Law Project Mock Trial, 2008-2013
  • Opal Creek Federal Advisory Committee, Chairman, 2000-2004
  • CYO Youth Track & Field, Asst. Coach, 2007-2012

Related Employment

  • U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield, Washington, D.C., Legislative Assistant, 1990-1995; Legal Counsel, 1995-1996
  • Hon. Wallace P. Carson, Oregon Supreme Court, Extern, Summer 1989

Clerkships

  • Hon. Michael R. Hogan, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, 1996 - 1998

Experience

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Oregon
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Education

  • Willamette University College of Law, J.D., 1992, Member, WIllamette Law Review
  • Georgetown University Law Center, 1991 - 1992 (visiting student)
  • Central Washington University, B.A., 1986