Jeff Duncan

Jeff Duncan is counsel at Ballard Spahr in Portland, where he advises senior living and long-term care clients on regulatory compliance, risk management, HIPAA and privacy issues, employment matters, and complex involuntary discharges. With more than 25 years of litigation experience, he also defends clients in administrative proceedings and civil litigation, including wrongful death claims and agency enforcement matters.

Duncan earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from Northern Illinois University in 1996, where he served as a Law Review editor and made the Dean’s List. He also earned an M.S. in English in 1987 and a B.S. in 1984 from Illinois State University. His academic training supports the detailed writing, regulatory analysis, and advocacy required in complex health care and litigation matters.

Duncan has represented behavioral health hospitals, assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, employers, and other care providers in licensing disputes, neglect and abuse proceedings, involuntary discharge matters, employment claims, ransomware responses, and HIPAA-related issues. His broader litigation background also includes trusts and estates disputes, fiduciary claims, business disputes, lease matters, reimbursement conflicts, and investigations involving alleged financial abuse.

Jeff Duncan has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation for 2025 and 2026. He is active in health care and bar organizations and has served on the Oregon State Bar Business Litigation Section Executive Committee. His practice combines litigation experience with industry-specific regulatory knowledge, helping health care and senior living clients respond to agency actions, manage operational risk, and address disputes with practical legal judgment.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Ballard Spahr LLP
• Member, Oregon State Bar
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Member, American Health Lawyers Association
• Executive Committee Member, Oregon State Bar, Business Litigation Section
• Member, Oregon Health Care Association
• Member, Washington Health Care Association
• Member, LeadingAge Oregon

Licensed State

• Oregon
• Washington

Education

• Northern Illinois University
  Juris Doctor (JD) Magna Cum Laude
• Illinois State University
  Master of Science (MS) in English
• Illinois State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges