Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced today that Steven Berman will serve as his Special Counsel.

For over 25 years, Berman was a lawyer in private practice, most recently with his own law firm and, prior to that, as a shareholder at Stoll Berne in Portland. His practice focused on complex business and securities litigation, consumer disputes, and election law. He regularly appeared in state and federal trial courts, as well as before arbitration and regulatory bodies, and before Oregon and federal appellate courts. Steve received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, his law degree from Harvard Law School, and was a law clerk for Justice Susan Graber on the Oregon Supreme Court.

As Special Counsel, Berman will lead the working families’ agenda – Attorney General Rayfield’s efforts to establish a new labor enforcement team within the Department of Justice that will ensure all Oregonians’ rights are protected in the workplace. Berman will also help shape the Attorney General’s consumer protection agenda, which will include taking on predatory lenders, scam artists, identity theft, credit fraud, and abusive practices by insurance companies, as well as investigating and prosecuting those who violate the Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA) in Oregon.

“Protecting everyday consumers and supporting working families are two of the most urgent priorities for my administration,” Attorney General Rayfield said. “I am confident that Steve will bring the leadership and expertise we need to expand and improve the state’s efforts to make sure all Oregonians are treated legally and fairly.”