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Sean Gay knows the construction industry from just about every possible perspective. He grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and worked for his parents鈥� general contracting business, where he learned the tools of the trade and the skills needed to run a business.

When he graduated from Oregon State University with a civil engineering degree in 1992, Gay faced an economic downturn with few job opportunities. He bought a round-trip ticket to Honolulu and gave himself three weeks to find work. Gay stayed for several years, working as a project manager and engineer. That ultimately led him to law school.

鈥淚 had been involved in a dispute on one of my projects in Hawaii, and I was exposed to the lawyers involved. I thought I could do a better job than they did,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat experience made me start thinking about a career in the law because I could see value in using my real-world construction knowledge to help clients.鈥�

Gay earned his law degree from Willamette University in 2004 and served as executive editor of Willamette Law Review. Now a partner in Stoel Rives鈥� real estate and construction group, Gay鈥檚 previous career plays an invaluable role when he鈥檚 litigating disputes and drafting and negotiating design and construction contracts.

Some of Gay鈥檚 recent cases include working with Multnomah County on design and construction issues related to the Sellwood Bridge replacement. He also represented the Lake Oswego School District in a multiparty defect lawsuit, and defended the district against $2.5 million in delay and additional work claims filed by one of the repair contractors.

A frequent participant in Stoel Rives鈥� Pro Bono Night Clinic, Gay is providing pro bono representation to the Portland Japanese Garden in the design and construction of its garden expansion project.

What is the best part of being an attorney?

For me it鈥檚 the intellectual challenge. I show up every day to work, I learn something new and it鈥檚 never the same thing. It鈥檚 always something new and exciting.

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Stubborn.

What would you never wear?

Capri pants.

Oregon Coast or Mount Hood?

Mount Hood because I like Nordic and Alpine skiing.

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise most people.

I was the Alaska state cycling champion in 1983.