Renée E. Rothauge
- Co-Chair, Trial Practice Group
- Portland
- Los Angeles
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National trial attorney Renée has built a powerful reputation representing clients in high-stakes, complex business litigation.
With 35 years of trial experience, Renée Rothauge has earned the trust of regional, national, and global businesses by representing and advancing their interests in complex and bet-the-company litigation.
Renée's experience includes jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations in matters involving technology, IP, breached contracts, trade secrets, director and officer disputes, shareholder disputes, securities, real estate, fiduciaries, and trusts. She is known and respected for her acumen in advising clients on their national trial and litigation strategies.
Renée is ranked in Band 1 among the top tier of Oregon trial attorneys by Chambers USA, which writes, “Renée is an excellent trial lawyer,” “She wins cases that are thought to be unwinnable,” and she is “one of the best commercial litigators in Oregon.”
Chambers USA said clients have lauded her as "the best female trial lawyer in Oregon for commercial work" and as a lawyer whose eye is on "the big picture and strategy." They also say, "We have never seen any attorney who has better litigation and leadership skills than Renée," "She is so smart and tireless in her pursuit of giving her clients a force to be reckoned with in court," "She is a well-organized and top-notch litigator," and "Renée has excellent courtroom skills."
Renée is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, representing the top 1% of the country's trial bar. She has served as the former chair of the Oregon State Committee and currently serves on the National Mock Trial Competition Committee, while also chairing the Samuel E. Gates Litigation Award Committee. She is a co-host for the American College of Trial Lawyers’ podcast, Trial Tested.
Renée is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, where she serves as a presidential appointee to the national board, serves on the Long-Range Planning Committee, and has previously served as president of the Oregon Chapter.
As a co-founder of the Rothauge & Kaner Women's Trial Academy, Renée trains women who are developing their trial skills.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Willamette University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, Executive Editor, Willamette Law Review, 1989
- Georgetown University, B.S.F.S., Varsity Letter for Womens’ Crew, 1986
Bar and Court Admissions
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Oregon
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Washington
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California
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Professional Recognition
Ranked by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer” for Litigation: General Commercial, 2007-2025; Intellectual Property, 2023-2025
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Associate Member
Best Lawyers in America: Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2010-2026; Advertising Law, 2026
Recognized by Chambers USA "Band 1" for Commercial Litigation
Women of Influence Honoree, Portland Business Journal, 2017
Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers magazine, Top 50 Attorneys, 2012-2024
Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers magazine, Top 25 Women Attorneys, 2006-2024
Listed in Benchmark Litigation, Top 250 Women in Litigation, 2019
President’s Membership Service Award, Oregon State Bar, 2014
American College of Trial Lawyers’ Induction Ceremony, Class Responder, 2014
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Member, Strategic Planning Task Force and Chair of Relevance Subcommittee
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Chair, Samuel Gates Award Committee
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Oregon State Committee Chair
- American College of Trial Lawyers, National Mock Trial Competition Committee Member
- American College of Trial Lawyers, National Trial Competition Committee
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Podcast Committee
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Federal Rules of Evidence Committee
- American Board of Trial Advocates, President, Oregon Chapter, 2023
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Co-Chair, Long Range Planning Committee
- Oregon State Bar Litigation Section, Executive Committee and Past Chair, 2012-2022
- Oregon State Bar Business Litigation Section, Past Chair
- Oregon State Bar Technology Law Section, Past Chair
Community Involvement
- Rothauge & Kaner Women’s Trial Academy, Sponsored by Oregon Women Lawyers
- Oregon Trial College, Member
- Belizean Grove, Member
- Arlington Club, Member
- Oregon Ballet Theatre, Trustee, 2005-2008
