FOURTEEN FWW ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED AS BEST LAWYERS® 2026
8/25/2025
Farleigh Wada Witt is proud to announce that fourteen of our attorneys have been named as Best Lawyers® 2026 in thirteen practice areas.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. The Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
Brian Witt was selected by his peers for the eleventh time for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in Financial Services Regulation Law. His practice emphasizes representing regional and national financial service providers on regulatory, compliance, and business issues. He is a recognized national expert in the design and delivery of traditional and innovative financial products and services.
Brad Stanford was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation–Defendants for the eleventh time, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants for the eighth time, and, Litigation–Insurance for the third time. For over 30 years, Brad has litigated a broad range of commercial disputes and personal injury cases. He is an industry leader in ski area defense and recreational product liability defense.
Dean Sandow was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the Trusts and Estates area for the ninth time and in Corporate Law for the seventh time. The breadth of Dean’s practice allows him to provide a lifetime of services to his entrepreneur, business, and family clients. Estate planning for individuals focuses on wills and trusts, estate tax planning, and probate. Dean provides meaningful and efficient services to individuals and families to facilitate management of their assets during their lifetime, while incapacitated, and at the end of life.
Kim McGair was selected by her peers in the areas of Commercial Litigation for the eighth time, Litigation-Labor and Employment for the third time, and Litigation-Banking and Finance for the second time in Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Kim litigates a wide array of matters, including business disputes, consumer law defense, personal injury defense, real estate litigation, employment defense, and commercial collection. Over the past twenty-five years she has successfully arbitrated and tried cases for businesses, individuals, and financial institutions, and has assisted many clients in a variety of industries to reach amicable and favorable resolutions to their disputes. Kim also regularly serves as an arbitrator in business and real estate disputes.
Kelly Tilden was selected by her peers for the eighth time in Employment Law–Management as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Kelly’s experience ranges from advising businesses on day to day employee issues to successfully defending her clients in trial and this has led her to be the Chair of the firm’s Employment Practice Group. Her practice includes advice and litigation regarding the following: hiring, negotiating and drafting of contracts, protection of trade secrets, discipline, civil rights, and wage and hour and leave laws. Kelly offers practical guidance and experienced-based insight to help employers confidently navigate state and federal regulations to create a productive and positive workplace.
Marisol McAllister was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in Real Estate Law for the eighth time. Her practice emphasizes real estate, business, and financial services law. Marisol’s experience spans a wide array of real estate services allowing her to assist clients in all aspects of commercial transactions with confidence and expertise. She is certified as a continuing education provider by the Oregon Real Estate Agency, and is on the agency's approved list of condominium lawyers.
Paul Migchelbrink was selected by his peers for the seventh time in the area of Corporate Law as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Paul maintains a diverse business practice advising clients in a number of industries on corporate and general business matters, real estate, intellectual property, commercial finance, and lending. Paul’s corporate and general business practice includes entity formation, shareholder and operating agreements, contracts, business purchase transactions, tax and regulatory compliance, risk management and general operating advice. He utilizes his broad and extensive experience to help his clients make sound strategic decisions and grow their businesses.
Trish Walsh was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the area of Commercial Litigation for the fourth time. She focuses her practice in the areas of litigation and employment law, protecting clients' interests inside and outside the courtroom. She practices in a variety of civil litigation areas, including complex commercial, debtor-creditor, and employment, offering a broad range of services to our business and financial clients. In her employment practice, Trish drafts, audits and updates policy handbooks and provides advice on employment issues under Oregon, Washington and federal laws.
Ward Greene has been recognized by his peers in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate Law for the 29th time as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. He has a varied transactional and litigation practice with a focus on commercial law, business reorganization, bankruptcy, collections, employment law and real estate matters. Ward has represented a number of creditors' committees and debtors in successful Chapter 11 cases, as well as represented corporate and banking clients in general business financing and corporate matters. He also has been involved in the acquisition and restructuring of a number of businesses.
Hal Scoggins has been recognized by his peers in the area of Financial Services Regulation Law for the third time, and Banking and Finance Law for the second time as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Hal represents credit unions, banks, and other financial service providers on state and federal regulatory compliance matters, contract negotiation, dispute resolution, corporate governance, subsidiary operations, mergers, loan and deposit documentation, real estate, bankruptcy and collection, and other issues related to structuring and delivering financial services to consumers and businesses. Hal is chair of the American Bar Association’s Business Section’s Credit Union Committee and is active with the ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee, and keeps up to date on potential legislation and regulations affecting financial institutions.
Margot Seitz has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for the third time in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Margot represents parties in all types of insolvency matters. She advises banks, credit unions, equipment finance companies, creditors and receivers in state and federal court. Margot also advises credit unions on a variety of regulatory and business matters, and assists clients with estate planning and administration. Margot is actively involved in the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board and is a past officer of the Executive Committee for that section.
Tony Kullen was selected by his peers for the second time for inclusion as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Tony focuses his practice on the life cycle of lending transactions, from loan origination through final collection, including addressing the bumps along the road through loan modifications, defaults, workouts, bankruptcy, and foreclosure. He is the Chair of the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section’s Legislative Committee, and is an active member of the Credit Union National Association and the Oregon Bankers Association.
Michelle Bertolino has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for the first time in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Michelle focuses on the representation of creditors in collection matters and protection of creditors' rights in bankruptcy. She advises clients on all aspects of creditors' rights and remedies, and prosecutes and defends claims on behalf of creditors in state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington.
Melissa Chapman was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for the first time in the area of Trusts and Estates. Melissa practices in a variety of areas including estate planning and administration, commercial and estate litigation, business and real estate law. She is a skilled communicator and advocate for her clients, providing sound and practical guidance at each state of the case. Melissa specializes in probate and trust administration and related litigation, estate planning, and conservatorships and guardianships.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. The Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
Brian Witt was selected by his peers for the eleventh time for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in Financial Services Regulation Law. His practice emphasizes representing regional and national financial service providers on regulatory, compliance, and business issues. He is a recognized national expert in the design and delivery of traditional and innovative financial products and services.
Brad Stanford was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation–Defendants for the eleventh time, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants for the eighth time, and, Litigation–Insurance for the third time. For over 30 years, Brad has litigated a broad range of commercial disputes and personal injury cases. He is an industry leader in ski area defense and recreational product liability defense.
Dean Sandow was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the Trusts and Estates area for the ninth time and in Corporate Law for the seventh time. The breadth of Dean’s practice allows him to provide a lifetime of services to his entrepreneur, business, and family clients. Estate planning for individuals focuses on wills and trusts, estate tax planning, and probate. Dean provides meaningful and efficient services to individuals and families to facilitate management of their assets during their lifetime, while incapacitated, and at the end of life.
Kim McGair was selected by her peers in the areas of Commercial Litigation for the eighth time, Litigation-Labor and Employment for the third time, and Litigation-Banking and Finance for the second time in Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Kim litigates a wide array of matters, including business disputes, consumer law defense, personal injury defense, real estate litigation, employment defense, and commercial collection. Over the past twenty-five years she has successfully arbitrated and tried cases for businesses, individuals, and financial institutions, and has assisted many clients in a variety of industries to reach amicable and favorable resolutions to their disputes. Kim also regularly serves as an arbitrator in business and real estate disputes.
Kelly Tilden was selected by her peers for the eighth time in Employment Law–Management as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Kelly’s experience ranges from advising businesses on day to day employee issues to successfully defending her clients in trial and this has led her to be the Chair of the firm’s Employment Practice Group. Her practice includes advice and litigation regarding the following: hiring, negotiating and drafting of contracts, protection of trade secrets, discipline, civil rights, and wage and hour and leave laws. Kelly offers practical guidance and experienced-based insight to help employers confidently navigate state and federal regulations to create a productive and positive workplace.
Marisol McAllister was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in Real Estate Law for the eighth time. Her practice emphasizes real estate, business, and financial services law. Marisol’s experience spans a wide array of real estate services allowing her to assist clients in all aspects of commercial transactions with confidence and expertise. She is certified as a continuing education provider by the Oregon Real Estate Agency, and is on the agency's approved list of condominium lawyers.
Paul Migchelbrink was selected by his peers for the seventh time in the area of Corporate Law as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Paul maintains a diverse business practice advising clients in a number of industries on corporate and general business matters, real estate, intellectual property, commercial finance, and lending. Paul’s corporate and general business practice includes entity formation, shareholder and operating agreements, contracts, business purchase transactions, tax and regulatory compliance, risk management and general operating advice. He utilizes his broad and extensive experience to help his clients make sound strategic decisions and grow their businesses.
Trish Walsh was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the area of Commercial Litigation for the fourth time. She focuses her practice in the areas of litigation and employment law, protecting clients' interests inside and outside the courtroom. She practices in a variety of civil litigation areas, including complex commercial, debtor-creditor, and employment, offering a broad range of services to our business and financial clients. In her employment practice, Trish drafts, audits and updates policy handbooks and provides advice on employment issues under Oregon, Washington and federal laws.
Ward Greene has been recognized by his peers in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate Law for the 29th time as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. He has a varied transactional and litigation practice with a focus on commercial law, business reorganization, bankruptcy, collections, employment law and real estate matters. Ward has represented a number of creditors' committees and debtors in successful Chapter 11 cases, as well as represented corporate and banking clients in general business financing and corporate matters. He also has been involved in the acquisition and restructuring of a number of businesses.
Hal Scoggins has been recognized by his peers in the area of Financial Services Regulation Law for the third time, and Banking and Finance Law for the second time as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026. Hal represents credit unions, banks, and other financial service providers on state and federal regulatory compliance matters, contract negotiation, dispute resolution, corporate governance, subsidiary operations, mergers, loan and deposit documentation, real estate, bankruptcy and collection, and other issues related to structuring and delivering financial services to consumers and businesses. Hal is chair of the American Bar Association’s Business Section’s Credit Union Committee and is active with the ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee, and keeps up to date on potential legislation and regulations affecting financial institutions.
Margot Seitz has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for the third time in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Margot represents parties in all types of insolvency matters. She advises banks, credit unions, equipment finance companies, creditors and receivers in state and federal court. Margot also advises credit unions on a variety of regulatory and business matters, and assists clients with estate planning and administration. Margot is actively involved in the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board and is a past officer of the Executive Committee for that section.
Tony Kullen was selected by his peers for the second time for inclusion as one of the Best Lawyers in America® 2026 in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Tony focuses his practice on the life cycle of lending transactions, from loan origination through final collection, including addressing the bumps along the road through loan modifications, defaults, workouts, bankruptcy, and foreclosure. He is the Chair of the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section’s Legislative Committee, and is an active member of the Credit Union National Association and the Oregon Bankers Association.
Michelle Bertolino has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for the first time in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Michelle focuses on the representation of creditors in collection matters and protection of creditors' rights in bankruptcy. She advises clients on all aspects of creditors' rights and remedies, and prosecutes and defends claims on behalf of creditors in state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington.
Melissa Chapman was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for the first time in the area of Trusts and Estates. Melissa practices in a variety of areas including estate planning and administration, commercial and estate litigation, business and real estate law. She is a skilled communicator and advocate for her clients, providing sound and practical guidance at each state of the case. Melissa specializes in probate and trust administration and related litigation, estate planning, and conservatorships and guardianships.
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