Megan Houlihan
Meg is an appellate and trial litigator in the firm's Business Litigation practice.
Megan Houlihan 's trial court practice includes a wide range of commercial disputes, including class actions, trade secrets, statutory interpretations, and constitutional questions. Given her ease with witnesses and in the courtroom, Meg is routinely called upon to examine witnesses and present oral arguments in the trial court.
In her appellate practice, Meg is distinguished amongst firm members for her writing talent and often leverages her clerkship with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She has briefed a variety of issues in both state and federal appellate courts and has successfully argued cases in the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit.
After earning her J.D. from Yale Law School, Meg clerked for the Hon. Michael Simon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and for the Hon. Morgan Christen of the Ninth Circuit. She has been named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers consecutively for the past three years.
Areas of focus
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Yale Law School, J.D., Submissions Editor, Yale Law & Policy Review, 2015
- Gonzaga University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2010
Bar and Court Admissions
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Oregon
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Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Stoll Stoll Berne Lokting & Shlachter PC, Portland, OR, Associate, 20202022
- Tonkon Torp, LLP, Portland, OR, Associate, 20172020
- Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Summer Associate, 2014
- King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Appellate Unit, Seattle, WA, Extern, 2013
Clerkships
- Hon. Morgan B. Christen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Hon. Michael H. Simon, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
Selected as an "Oregon Rising Star" by Super Lawyers, 2020-2024
Recipient of Oregon State Bar President’s Special Award of Appreciation, 2019
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Section Executive Committee, Member
- Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Section CLE Subcommittee, Co-Chair
- Oregon State Bar, Board of Governors, Region 5 Representative
News
Professional Experience
Administrative
Peer-Review Proceedings for Hospitals*
Represented multiple hospitals in administrative peer-review proceedings involving health care providers’ privileges.
*Prior Experience
Appellate, Constitutional Law, and Public Law
Thomsen v. NaphCare, Inc.
Representing healthcare provider in a correctional facility against § 1983 claims for constitutional violations and state-law negligence claims. Representation has included multiple expert depositions.
Restructuring Dispute in the Aviation Industry*
Argued a case in the Ninth Circuit and prevailed on multimillion-dollar claim for fraudulent transfer of interest in real property.
Challenge to Arbitration Award*
Argued a case in the Oregon Court of Appeals and prevailed against a challenge to an underlying arbitration award.
Defense of Government Entities During Pandemic*
Obtained dismissal of constitutional claims challenging actions taken by government entities and officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defense of State Bar Organization*
Represented a state bar organization against claims that mandatory membership and member dues violate the First Amendment.
*Prior Experience
Business Litigation
Jury Trial for Regional Hospital*
Second-chaired a jury trial obtaining a complete defense verdict on a battery claim.
Bench Trial on Claim for Attorney-Fee Lien*
First-chaired a bench trial obtaining complete victory for clients being sued by their former lawyer for fees.
Arbitration for Start-Up Company in Dispute With Litigation Funder*
Represented a startup against claims by a litigation funder to recoup funding for patent litigation.
Issue of First Impression on Whether Neighbors Can Sue To Stop Marijuana Grows*
Obtained dismissal of all claims, including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) claims, in an action asserting that a nearby marijuana grow infringed neighbors’ property rights.
*Prior Experience