Don Hooton

Don Hooton is a seasoned attorney at Hooton & Chen LLP in Portland, Oregon, where he focuses his practice on workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and appellate advocacy. Since 1988, he has represented injured workers across Oregon, helping them secure critical benefits and fair treatment during challenging times.

Mr. Hooton served as a Board Member of the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board from 1992 to 1993, where he reviewed administrative law decisions on workers’ compensation disputes. His extensive trial and appellate practice has led to several landmark rulings in Oregon’s higher courts, shaping legal protections for injured workers statewide.

Mr. Hooton earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Iowa Law School in 1987 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Reed College, where he was named a Lloyd Reynolds Honorary Scholar. He is admitted to the Oregon State Bar and is an active member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and the Multnomah Bar Association.

Don Hooton’s legal approach is deeply informed by personal and professional experiences. Raised in a large working-class family and having watched his father struggle with health issues, Don developed a strong sense of empathy for injured workers. His military service as a medical corpsman, combined with his work in hospital labs and as a health insurance claims adjuster, gives him a unique understanding of injury, illness, and insurance practices.

In addition to his workers’ compensation cases, Mr. Hooton also represents individuals in Social Security disability claims. Known for his dedication, expertise, and impactful legal victories, Don Hooton continues to fight for the rights of Oregon workers with diligence, compassion, and integrity.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Hooton & Chen LLP
• Member, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, Multnomah Bar Association

Licensed State

• Oregon

Education

• University of Iowa Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Reed College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges