After attending Georgetown University Law Center, and clerking for the Honorable Rex Armstrong of the Oregon Court of Appeals, Kendra joined Boise Matthews Donegan LLP—then known as Ransom Blackman LLP—as an associate in 1998. She became a partner in 2005.
A central focus of her practice is appellate litigation—representing individuals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Oregon Supreme Court, and the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Kendra also regularly represents individuals and entities in criminal investigations and cases in both state and federal court at the trial level. Her perspective as an appellate attorney uniquely positions her to identify the critical legal issues presented by a case. She also knows that each client’s situation is unique; she takes the time to understand that situation, and treats her clients with compassion.
In each case, Kendra takes a global approach, looking at the possible short and long-term consequences of any decision, so that the impact of the government’s intrusion into her client’s life or business is minimized to the greatest extent possible.
In 2018 and 2020, Kendra co-taught the White Collar Crime Seminar at Lewis & Clark Law School with a local Assistant United States Attorney.
Admission & Qualifications
- Oregon State State Bar
- District of Oregon
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- University of Puget Sound, B.A., 1993
- Georgetown University Law School, J.D., 1996
- American Criminal Law Review, White Collar Criminal Law Project Senior Editor (1995)
Representative Matters
- Represented President/Chief Executive Officer of closely held company in criminal prosecution brought in District of Oregon. Compliance Officer in Securities and Exchange Commission investigation
- Represented partner in small business in criminal appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Represented owner of real estate business in criminal appeal before the Oregon Court of Appeals and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Co-Counsel for company in connection with Oregon Department Investigation of business practices
- Represented business owner in connection with investigation by the criminal division of the Internal Revenue Service
Other Distinctions
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America® since 2017 for Appellate Litigation and Criminal Law: General Practice; 2019 Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Law (General) - Portland
- Listed as AV Preeminent in the Martindal-Hubbell Law Directory
- Listed in Super Lawyers
- President, Oregon Women Lawyers (2014-15)
Representative Publications & Presentations
- “Criminal Enforcement of Administrative Rules, Permits, and Absence of Permits Supplement,” Oregon State Bar Administrative Law Manual Supplement (2016), author
- “Discovery,” Oregon State Bar Criminal Law Manual (2013), author, (2005), co-author
- “Alibi,” OCDLA Major Crimes and Defenses Manual (2004), author
- “Mail & Wire Fraud, Tenth Survey of White Collar Crime,” 32 American Criminal Law Review 481 (1995), co-author
- “Nuts & Bolts of Expunctions,” Oregon Association for Court Administration (2016), presenter
- “10 (or 20) Points to Consider in Preparing Your Defense in a ‘White Collar’ Criminal Prosecution,” OCDLA Conference (2015), presenter