Bruce Cahn

Bruce Cahn is a partner at Ballard Spahr in Portland and a trial and appellate lawyer focused on sophisticated commercial, business, and real estate disputes. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in business torts, partnership and shareholder disputes, fraudulent transfer claims, banking matters, construction cost overruns, condemnation, and other complex cases. His services include commercial litigation, real estate and construction litigation, eminent domain, appeals, fiduciary litigation, insurance, arbitration, professional liability, and environmental and natural resources matters.

Bruce earned a J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in 1990, where he participated in the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society and International & Comparative Law Journal. He received a B.A. from California State University, Northridge in 1986. His legal education supports a practice spanning trial work, appeals, business disputes, property litigation, and complex commercial matters involving detailed financial, contractual, and regulatory issues.

Bruce has served as lead trial attorney in numerous jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations and has argued matters before the Oregon Court of Appeals and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His litigation experience includes securities fraud, antitrust, large-scale condemnation, natural resources disputes, and general business cases. Before moving to Portland, he worked on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, film financing, and copyright and trademark licensing in a corporate practice.

Bruce Cahn has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation and eminent domain work, including multiple Portland Lawyer of the Year honors in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. He writes and speaks on litigation, construction, real estate, condemnation, and trial practice. His extensive trial, appellate, and arbitration experience gives clients seasoned representation across high-value business and property disputes in Oregon.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Ballard Spahr LLP
• Member, Oregon State Bar
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Board Member, Civics Learning Project
• Board Member, LifeWorks Northwest (2012-2019)
• Membership Committee, National Center for State Courts (2022-2024)

Licensed State

• Oregon
• California
• Washington

Education

• Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• California State University, Northridge
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges