John R. Osburn

Of Counsel, Portland Office

Direct Dial: 503.499.4665
Fax: 503.295.0915
john.osburn@bullivant.com



Practice Areas

Industries

Bar Admissions

  • Oregon, 1989
  • Washington, 2007

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

Education

  • University of Oregon, School of Law - J.D., 1989
  • University of Oregon - B.S. in Geography, minor in History, with honors, 1986
Experience Representative Work Professional and Civic Involvement Awards and Honors Press Coverage Publications and Presentations Outside the Firm

Practice Experience

John Osburn's practice focuses on eminent domain and condemnation, real estate litigation, asbestos trial and litigation, and representing private citizens, business, and government in all aspects of their interaction, including public contract formation and litigation, land use matters and regulatory matters. He represents companies and individuals seeking government approvals, and in disciplinary proceedings. He also represents landowners in their relations with other landowners or tenants and in property development, and advises public bodies in all aspects of litigation and their interaction with other public bodies. He represents both landowners and non-profit land trusts in land acquisition and conservation.

John has tried more than 90 civil cases and is renowned for his skill with expert witnesses. He is a frequent speaker on public contracting, government liability and condemnation issues. John is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America since 2007 (Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Government Relations Practice).

Practice Emphasis

  • Real Estate, Land Use & Condemnation
  • Asbestos Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Personal & Catastrophic Injury Litigation
  • Construction
  • Environmental

Representative Work

Professional and Civic Involvement

  • Defense Research Institute (Member)
  • Oregon State Bar (Member, Diversity Section; Member, Litigation Section; Member, Sustainable Future Section; Member & Former Chair, Government Law Section)
  • Portland Highland Games Association (Member, Board of Trustees)
  • Wetlands Conservancy (Pro Bono Volunteer)
  • Community Vision, Inc. (Member, Seven Corners Community Collaborative Capital Campaign Committee)

Awards and Honors

  • AV® Preeminent™, Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named the Best Lawyers® 2021 Portland, Oregon Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law "Lawyer of the Year" 
  • Named the Best Lawyers® 2016 Portland-OR Government Relations Practice "Lawyer of the Year"
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 — Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Government Relations Practice)

Firm News

Advisories and Insights

Publications and Presentations

  • Co-Speaker, "Alternative Jurisdictions and Choice of Law Motions," Defense Research Institute (DRI) Asbestos Medicine Seminar (2016)
  • Speaker, "Public Records and Litigation Records Handling," Oregon County Counsel's Association (OCCA) Summer Conference (2015)
  • Co-Speaker, "Condemnation Jury Instructions," The Seminar Group Eminent Domain Conference (2015)
  • Co-Speaker, "Lessons Learned from TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project," The Seminar Group Eminent Domain Seminar (2014)
  • Co-Speaker, "Single Fiber, Every Fiber, Low Dose, Lung Cancer, Chrysotile and Beyond: Examining the Impact of the Evolution of Asbestos Medicine and How the Changes Affect Emerging Causation Law," American Conference Institute Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation (2013)
  • Speaker, "The Emerging Medical Theories Involved in the Epistemology of Causation in a Mesothelioma Case," American Conference Institute Advanced Forum on Asbestos Claims and Litigation (2010)
  • Author, "Discrimination Claims in Oregon," Oregon State Bar Torts CLE Chapter (2006)
  • Speaker, "Condemnation Appraisal Exchanges," The Seminar Group Eminent Domain CLE (2005 & 2003)
  • Speaker, "Condemnation Law," National Business Institute (NBI) (2003 & 2002)
  • Speaker, "Road & Access Law," National Business Institute (NBI) (2003 & 2002)
  • Speaker, "Current Issues in Condemnation," Oregon State Bar (2001)
  • Author, "Civil Rights Supplement," Oregon State Bar (2000)
  • Speaker, "Local Contract Review Board Rules," Oregon State Bar (2000)
  • Speaker, "Measure 7 Compensation Evaluation," Association of Oregon Counties Annual Meeting (2000)
  • Speaker, "New Legislation in Condemnation," Oregon State Bar (2000)
  • Speaker, "Public Contracting: Public/Private Partnering," Oregon District Attorneys Association Annual Meeting (2000)
  • Speaker, "Bid Disputes and Bid Alternatives," Oregon District Attorneys Association Annual Summer Conference (1999)
  • Speaker, "Oregon's SB 1036 Update," Association of Oregon Counties Annual Meeting (1999)
  • Speaker, "Civil Rights Immunities: Confidentiality Problems, Mediation and Public Contracts," Public Sector Seminar (1998)
  • Speaker, "Public Contracting," Association of Oregon Counties Annual Meeting (1997)
  • Speaker, "Employee Evaluation, Discipline & Dismissal," Oregon School Board Association (1996)
  • Speaker, "New Federal Takings Law," Public Risk Management Seminar (1995)
  • Speaker, "Use of Discovery Depositions," Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC) (1994)
  • Chapter Author, "Public Officers and Employees," Oregon Law Institute Government Law Handbook

Additional Representative Cases

  • Lead plaintiff's attorney in major public construction defect case
  • Led and defended challenges to faulty government contract awards
  • Appears before numerous state and local boards and regulatory bodies on behalf of clients seeking action
  • Successful verdicts against ODOT in condemnation litigation

Outside the Firm

John loves Oregon wine and is a world-class bagpiper.