Mediator Resume

Experienced State Circuit Court Judge, who assisted parties in a wide variety of disputes to resolve their cases so that litigation was not necessary in whole or in part. Significant experience in employment, commercial disputes and personal injury. Since retiring, actively mediating disputes as a Senior Judge for the State of Oregon, and as an individual with an alternative dispute resolution practice.

Beth Allen ADR - Sole Proprietor

Arbitrator, Mediator, Judge

Owner, Beth Allen Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2025 - Present; Circuit Court Judge, State of Oregon Judicial Department, 2013 - 2025; Owner, Beth Allen Law, 2006 - 2013; Associate, Lane Powell, 2002 - 2006; Associate, Tonkon Torp, 1998 - 2002; Clerk to Chief Judge Mary Deits, Oregon Court of Appeals, 1996 - 1998.

Opened a practice as a mediator, arbitrator, reference judge, and special master at Beth Allen Alternative Dispute Resolution, hearing matters across a broad range of legal disputes. Retired in June 2025 as an Oregon Circuit Court Judge after more than 12 years on the Bench, with jurisdiction over virtually every type of case. Presided over numerous jury and bench trials involving insurance liability, personal injury, professional negligence, contract, property, employment discrimination, harassment, non-compete agreements, wage and hour disputes, and all aspects of family law. Also led many formal and informal judicial settlement conferences. Currently serves as a Senior Judge in a “visiting judge” capacity, hearing cases throughout Oregon as needed. Prior to being appointed by the then-Governor, owned a law firm, Beth Allen Law for seven years, which focused on protecting and providing for the legal needs of primarily LGBT clients. Before that, worked about eight years in "Big Firms" in Oregon, representing corporate clients in litigation in a wide variety of cases. Career began as a Law Clerk for the Chief Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals. Recipient of numerous awards recognizing professional service, community contribution, and professionalism.

Settled a good number of cases while on the bench, and have continued to mediate since retiring in 2025.

Has mediated a multitude of issues. Understands that subject knowledge is important, but finds that there is rarely a case that cannot resolve simply because its subject matter is new. Part of that is an innate curiosity, and part is an ability to pick up new concepts quickly. But, perhaps more so, part is that often it is not the discreet subject matter that needs to be understand, but, rather, that it is how the parties came to have the dispute and what the dispute means to them on a personal level. Is comfortable revealing lack of knowledge and willingness to learn more, but it is rare that this "education" is a waste of time. Usually, it is time well spent because the parties get to share what they know and develop a shared understanding of the issue.

I let parties know that I will engage in their mediation only if they come to it with good faith and diligence towards resolving the dispute. I approach mediations with the expectation that it is possible for each party to complete the mediation with, at a minimum, a sense that they have been heard and can live with the outcome. I do not believe I have done a good job if everyone is unhappy. I carefully maintain confidentiality, and only share to another party what I have been given consent to share. I start mediations setting out these principles. I listen and endeavor to learn what each party needs to conclude the mediation successfully, including unique non-monetary settling points. I attempt to draw from the parties what they seek, rather than try to tell them what they should expect. However, I am also comfortable telling parties what the strengths and weaknesses are, and explaining how my experience on the bench leads me to those perceptions.

Quite proficient and willing to conduct hearings using most remote/virtual platforms, including Zoom; WebEx; Teams; Google Meet. Prefer most exhibits electronically.

Willamette University College of Law (JD - 1996); Portland State University (BA - 1992).

Admitted to the Bar: Oregon (1996), Washington (inactive); U.S. District Court: District of Oregon.

International Association of LGBT Judges; National LGBT Bar Association; OGALLA, Oregon's LGBTQ Bar Association; Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Oregon Filipino American Lawyers Association; Oregon Minority Lawyers Association; Oregon Hispanic Bar; Oregon Association of LGBT Judges.

PUBLICATIONS ● OSB Bar Books, Family Law, 2021, complete rewrite of 2012 chapter: Unmarried Couples ● OSB Bar Books, Family Law, 2021, new chapter: Change of Identity (co-author) ● OSB Bar Books, Family Law, 2021, revisions and additions related to military/veteran issues, including the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ● Multnomah Lawyer Magazine, April 2021, Tips From the Bench: It's a Great (Court)house ● Oregon Women Lawyers Advance Sheet, Spring 2019: The Judges Forum: Our First All Woman State Supreme Court ● OSB Litigation Section Judge's Corner, December 2016, Changes to Sex Changes PRESENTATIONS ● June 2021, PGE LGBTQ Pride Forum, The History of Oregon LGBTQ Rights ● March 10, 2020, Queen's Bench Noontime CLE Series, Who Owns the Embryo? ● April 2019, Judicial Engagement and Leadership Institute Spring Convening, What Evidence Should the Court Consider? ● September 2018, Oregon Justice of the Peace Association, Forthcoming Changes in LGBTQ Law ● April 2018, Oregon Circuit Judges Association Conference, Veterans, Military Members, and the Law ● April 2018, MBA CLE Series, Professionalism Panel

Hourly Rate: $500.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $500.00/hr Cancellation: $500.00/Day Cancellation Period: 2 Days Comment: Cancellation within 48 hours of scheduling hearing time will incur a cancellation fee of $500.

English

United States of America

Gresham, Oregon