Appellate, Government, and Public Law Attorney
Aaron Landau’s practice is focused on appeals of civil litigation and disputes of public law.
Aaron’s appellate practice includes representing both public and private clients in appeals of civil litigation, with a particular focus on matters of constitutional and public law. Aaron’s practice also has included a broad variety of business disputes, including employment, health care, and product liability issues.
Aaron is a former associate and summer associate with the firm and also clerked for the Oregon Department of Justice in the Trial Division.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Aaron was a founding member and bassist for a modern jazz ensemble in Portland.
How I Serve Clients
Representing litigants on appeal involves distinctly careful and mindful work, as well as a keen sense of how a client’s particular needs fit within the broader fabric of the law. In serving our clients, I draw on a broad variety of litigation experience and a particular passion for the challenges of public law. I work to provide a fresh perspective on existing disputes, a skilled voice in the courtroom, and an understanding of the unique ways that appellate review can change the circumstances our clients face.
Bar Admissions
- Oregon State Bar
- Member of the Executive Committee for the Appellate Section of the Oregon State Bar
- Member of the Oregon Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Professional Recognition
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Administrative/Regulatory and Appellate Practice for 2024
- Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers-Rising Stars® Edition from 2013-2019
Professional Memberships
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- Lane County Bar Association
- Multnomah Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- J.D., University of Oregon School of Law (2009)
- Managing Editor for the Oregon Law Review
- Aaron continues to assist in authoring materials for the University’s course on Oregon Civil Practice & Procedure.
- B.A., (Political Science), Lewis & Clark College (2003)
Publications
- Co-Author with C. Robert Steringer and Katherine Thomas: “Separation of Powers,” Chapter 12 in Oregon Constitutional Law (2022 ed.), Oregon State Bar publication.
- “Governmental Units & Officers” (Chapter 9), Oregon Civil Pleading and Litigation, 2020 edition (with Sharon A. Rudnick).
- “Comments, Followers and Friends - Government Social Media Accounts and the First Amendment,” Oregon State Bar Bulletin (July 2019).
- “State v. Hemenway: What Should the Court Do With a Decision it Shouldn’t Have Been Able to Make?” Oregon State Bar Constitutional Law Newsletter, 2013.
- “Governmental Units and Officers,” Oregon Civil Pleading and Practice, 2011 edition (with Sharon A. Rudnick).
- Oregon Practice & Procedure, University of Oregon, 2009, 2010 and 2016 editions (with Hon. Karsten Rasmussen and Maurice Holland).
- “Punitives, Damaged: The Troubling Due Process Implications of Philip Morris v. Williams, and a Sounder Approach to Litigating Third-Party Harm,” Oregon Law Review, Fall 2008.
Presentations
- Continuing Legal Education Seminar: “Post-Trial Matters,” sponsored by Multnomah Bar Association Young Litigators’ Forum (March 14, 2019).
- Continuing Legal Education Seminar: “Key Distinctions Between State and Federal Appeals,” sponsored by the Oregon State Bar Appellate Section (2016).
- Continuing Legal Education Seminar: “Public Meetings Law and Dumdi v. Handy – Understanding and Litigating Public Meetings Issues,” sponsored by the Oregon State Bar Government Law Section (September 16, 2011).
- Stanton Long v. Cheryl Betschart, et al., Lane County Circuit Court, 2017
- I was among plaintiff’s counsel in litigation in two related cases that challenged several proposed ballot measures in Lane County for compliance with Oregon’s election laws. Our client prevailed in full in both cases, which are now defending before the Oregon Court of Appeals.
- Everice Moro, et al. v. State of Oregon, et al., Supreme Court of the State of Oregon, 2014-15
- I helped to represent Oregon School Boards Association, five Oregon school districts, and several related public bodies in litigation concerning the effect of 2013 PERS legislation, both in evidentiary proceedings before a Special Master and on appeal before the Supreme Court.
- Mark Long v. John Kroger, Attorney General for the State of Oregon, Marion County Circuit Court, 2012
- When a client’s vital public records requests to the Office of the Attorney General went unanswered, we sued for his failure to respond. After several attempts by the Attorney General to dispose of the case on motions, the case proceeded to a six-day trial. We prevailed, obtained records sought by the client, and received an award of all attorney fees.