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OP-ED: A look back at all those years in law
After 45 years of law practice, I am retiring at the end of 2014. While I will continue to write this column for a little longer, here are some thoughts […]
OP-ED: Who owns creative content?
What is intellectual property? It can be blogs, logos, slogans, photographs, videos, theme songs, websites, you name it 鈥� if a creative was behind its creation, then it’s IP. Ownership […]
OP-ED: Time may be right to dust off that estate plan
After a business succession plan is chosen, implementation may occur over many years. Meanwhile, an estate plan frequently remains securely tucked away. But that is a mistake. To ensure that […]
OP-ED: Late start to retirement planning is costly
Dear Mr. Berko: I’m 44. My wife and I have no savings and $11,200 in two individual retirement accounts. We want to retire at 62, when we can take Social […]
OP-ED: Should businesses beware of service dogs?
Businesses across the state received a wake-up call last month after a Eugene convenience store was slapped with a $60,000 penalty by the state after the Oregon Bureau of Labor […]
OP-ED: A piece of the Papa Murphy’s pie
Dear Mr. Berko: I’m 42 and a conservative, long-term investor. Since 2002, I have carefully built up a portfolio of 22 growth stocks, worth $140,000. I am thinking of taking […]
OP-ED: Balancing industrial and environmental concerns
For the past several months and years there has been a debate about coal export from the state of Oregon. In the proposed model, coal would be shipped via rail […]
OP-ED: Plenty of growth, with room for more
At the beginning of the year I used this space to talk about goals 鈥� specifically, the importance of making a list outlining the things that you want to accomplish […]
OP-ED: Can you hear me now? Buy Verizon!
Dear Mr. Berko: I’m 49, and for each of the past eight years, I’ve invested between $8,000 and $12,000 in my simplified employee pension individual retirement account, which is now […]
OP-ED: Noncompetition, non-solicitation and confidential agreements
Noncompetition agreements may be declared unenforceable or void depending upon the state law, the scope of the agreement and other factors. Therefore, it is important that a company require its […]
OP-ED: A better option than a certificate of deposit
Dear Mr. Berko: My broker of 11 years moved to another firm in another city, and I don’t know what to do. I need your advice. I have $15,000 but […]
OP-ED: Keeping up with federal labor laws
As the public has come to understand in the post-election flurry of political maneuvering, the president of the United States has (arguably) broad power to act via executive order so […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
