Bill Barton is, by anyone’s description, one of the best plaintiff’s lawyers in the country. He has tried more than 500 jury trials and lectured on trial advocacy 500 times in 35 states and 4 countries. He made his mark by trying the first case of sexual abuse against the Boy Scouts of America. The Scouts now face 82,000 claims. His client was the first to sue the Vatican for sexual abuse. In 2004, the Portland Archdiocese declared bankruptcy the morning his trial was set to begin. He authored the book on emotional claims, now in its 3rd edition, “Recovering for Psychological Injuries“. It is the bible of the “Me Too” movement. Bill has an unusual background for a plaintiff’s lawyer. He serves as a state trial judge pro tem and has also run an insurance company, serving on the board of directors and as chairman of the captive mutual that provides coverage for all Oregon lawyers.

In 2015, The US Supreme Court selected the Hon. Edward Leavy of Oregon for the Devitt Award, which is only given to one judge each year, and is considered the Nobel Prize of federal judging. The Supreme Court allows one lawyer to speak on his behalf. “I was deeply honored and privileged that Ed selected me to be his spokesman.”

Bill is a respected adversary, receiving many referrals from past opponents. “I see myself as a social architect or engineer. I am a legal artist working in the medium of the law. A significant verdict impacts public policy and prevents others from being hurt. I believe jury trials are American local government at its best.”

For the last 15 years he conducts his Boot Camp in Portland where he accepts and mentors 10 select young lawyers a year. In 2002, he received the Oregon Trial Lawyers New Lawyers Award of Appreciation. His new book, “Better, Faster,” is an aspiring guide to young jury trial lawyers.

Bill generously supports kids, the environment, and arts. Since 2010, he has served as Life Coach for Portland State University men’s basketball team. He lectures across the country as the Hon. Oliver Wendall Holmes, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (1902-1932), and has performed for the US Supreme Court. In his free time he hires professional philosophers to teach him.

Bill and his wife, JoAnn, have created Yakona, a beautiful unfenced 400-acre nature preserve, across the bay from their coastal home in Newport, Oregon. It is planned for 300 years. It is home to elk, bears, deer, and cougars. It’s dedicated to educating children and the public about the importance of nature and our environment. Check it out: yakonaoregon.org. Guided tours are available.

Barton Trial Attorneys