LVK Partner John Rake presented on Discovery Basics on February 5, 2026, as part of the Multnomah Bar Association’s noontime series of nine weekly webinars on litigation issues intended for newer attorneys. His presentation is linked below.
Rake MBA YLS Discovery Basics Presentation
The Art of Communication News
This week, lawyers for a class of investors who purchased securities in Ambulant, Inc., together with lawyers for defendant Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, submitted a proposed settlement for the Court’s approval. Brownstein unequivocally denies the allegations and continues to believe the lawsuit is without merit. For its part, the decision to settle was based solely on economic considerations and litigation risk—not on the substance of the claims. The plaintiffs maintain that their claims were meritorious and brought in good faith. This settlement allows all parties to move forward and contains no admission of liability.
Earlier this year, Tualatin-based renewable energy company Powin went bankrupt, setting the stage for its corporate investors to assert nine-figure claims under the Oregon Securities Law. Powin designs, builds and operates grid-scale battery installations that are essential to a green energy grid. Powin attracted significant equity investment, including a $135 million funding round in 2022. In June 2025, Powin entered chapter 11 bankruptcy, a proceeding that will likely result in its equity investors taking nearly a complete loss.
Preliminary analysis suggests that Powin’s investors may have claims under the Oregon Securities Law, which is the country’s most investor-friendly Blue Sky law. Powin sold the securities from its location in Oregon, which triggers application of the Oregon Securities Law. The key question …
Larkins Vacura Kayser attorneys Chris Kayser and Tom Bode won partial summary judgment for client Seven Peaks, a Bend-based venture investment fund, in Eide Bailly LLP v. Seven Peaks Ventures Fund II LP, et al.. The Nevada state court ruled that (1) it would apply the Oregon Securities Law to the case and (2) that certain securities sales had violated that law. The question of what law to apply was an issue of first impression in Nevada. In deciding to apply the Oregon law in the Nevada forum, the Court agreed with courts in other states that have recognized that “the securities laws of two or more states may be applicable to a single transaction without presenting a conflict of …
Larkins Vacura Kayser attorneys Chris Kayser and Tom Bode are investigating Eugene-based investment firm Precision Capital, for violations of the Oregon Securities Law (Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 59).
Precision Capital sells investment shares in the Precision Fund Oregon, L.P. (the “Fund”), which purports to invest in real estate backed loans originated by an affiliated entity, PacWest Funding, Inc. Both Precision Capital and PacWest Funding are managed by Kevin Simrin. Precision Capital advertises that investments in the Fund pay a return of 8 ¼ percent.
However, recent activity raises concerns about the health of the Fund and whether Precision Capital has violated securities laws. In a recent email to investors, Precision Fund disclosed that it has incurred losses in past years. It also …
Larkins Vacura Kayser is pleased to announce that Chris Kayser was recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2026 Litigation – Antitrust “Lawyer of the Year” award winner in Portland, Oregon and that Chris, John Rake, Julie Vacura, and Heather Cavanaugh were recognized in Best Lawyers® in 2026 in America. Tom Bode, Elizabeth Parker, Ben Calleros, and Emma Singer were recognized as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
Chris Kayser has been ranked by Best Lawyers since 2015 and is recognized in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, Environmental Litigation, and Securities Litigation
John Rake has been ranked by Best Lawyers since 2022 and is recognized in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Securities Litigation
Julie Vacura has been ranked …
Larkins Vacura Kayser is proud to announce that four of our attorneys have been named to the 2025 Oregon Super Lawyers list, underscoring the firm’s ongoing commitment to legal excellence and client service. This year, Chris Kayser was honored for his achievements in Securities Litigation, John Rake and Julie Vacura were recognized for their work in Business Litigation, and Heather Cavanaugh was selected in General Litigation. Notably, Julie Vacura earned additional distinction as one of the Top 10 attorneys for Oregon Super Lawyers, a testament to her leadership and outstanding accomplishments in the legal profession.
Super Lawyers is a respected rating service that highlights attorneys who have demonstrated peer-recognized excellence across more than 70 practice areas. The rigorous selection process—based on …
Larkins Vacura Kayser attorneys Dave Samuels and Tom Bode provided pro bono assistance to SOAR Immigration Legal Services in May and June 2025. SOAR provides culturally-competent, immigration-related legal representation and education to refugees and immigrants in Oregon and Southwest Washington for free or at reduced cost. SOAR’s clients include individuals and families from conflicts around the world. LVK is pleased to assist SOAR in its efforts to enable these people to find safety and a new home.
Larkins Vacura Kayser is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has recognized LVK in its 2025 Chambers USA Guide. LVK was once again ranked among the top firms in Oregon for Litigation: General Commercial. Additionally, LVK attorneys Julie Vacura and Chris Kayser were ranked among the top lawyers in Oregon for Litigation: General Commercial.
The Chambers USA Guide ranks the top attorneys and law firms throughout the United States based on in-depth market analysis and independent research conducted by Chambers and Partners. Chambers’ rankings are based on an assessment of a firm’s recent work and include interviews of clients and other attorneys in the relevant market.
Larkins Vacura Kayser attorney Tom Bode filed an amicus brief on behalf of Oregon Consumer Justice and Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, supporting the plaintiffs’ lawsuit against Tillamook County Creamery Association in Bohr v. Tillamook County Creamery Association, SC S069773. Purchasers of Tillamook products brought a class action, alleging that Tillamook violated the Unlawful Trade Practices Act by falsely marketing its dairy products as sourced from small, family-owned farms when in fact most of its milk comes from a large factory farm in eastern Oregon. Tillamook argued that a class action was not allowed because the plaintiffs had to establish each purchaser’s reliance on Tillamook’s allegedly false marketing. On April 3, 2025, the Oregon Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiffs and …
It’s been two years since ChatGPT launched, and now lawyers use AI tools every day to improve their work. This requires knowing the capabilities and limitations of AI tools and the strengths and weaknesses of different tools. Next week, LVK attorney Tom Bode is presenting to the Alaska Bar Association, Torts Section on the issues, benefits and risks of AI in the legal field. Tom has spent hundreds of hours developing AI tools to improve legal research and has been sharing his knowledge and experience with others since the early days of gen AI. This presentation will:
compare the custom solutions designed specifically for legal professionals with the general purpose LLM applications
showcase real examples of how to successfully use AI tools …
Larkins Vacura Kayser is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked Metropolitan Tier 1 in Portland, Oregon for Commercial Litigation, Banking & Finance Litigation, Securities Litigation, and Antitrust Litigation by Best Law Firms® for 2025.
The firm was also named as a Metropolitan Tier 2 Best Law Firm in Portland, Oregon in Environmental Litigation and Real Estate Litigation, a Metropolitan Tier 3 Best Law Firm in Portland, Oregon in Intellectual Property Litigation, and a National Tier 3 Best Law Firm in the United States in Commercial Litigation. The rankings are based on peer selection.
John Rake was a panelist and participant at the “Expert Appraisers as Expert Witnesses” mock trial educational event at the American Society of Appraiser’s International Conference in Portland, Oregon, on September 16, 2024.
John was part of a legal team that performed three unscripted mock depositions and three trial witnesses as training for ASA members. The mock depositions and trial scenarios relied on a hypothetical wildfire fact pattern and resulting damages to real and personal property and business income. Also participating on the legal team was the Honorable Marilyn Litzenberger, Senior Judge for the State of Oregon, and Denise Brown, a trial attorney from Houston who has been elected judge of the 127th Judicial District of Harris County.
The event was hosted …
LVK is delighted to welcome two highly talented trial attorneys to our team! Elizabeth Parker and Ben Calleros honed their litigation skills at global firms before joining us in Portland. They have each represented clients across the country in a variety of commercial and civil litigation matters, including class actions, contract disputes, debtor-creditor matters, and regulatory issues. Their depth of experience will be a significant asset to LVK and our clients.
Elizabeth has represented clients across the country in a variety of civil litigation and white collar matters involving class actions, contract disputes, fraud, and internal investigations. She brings with her a wealth of experience in all aspects of litigation, from motions practice and trial, through appellate review. Elizabeth’s versatility and …
Larkins Vacura Kayser is pleased to announce that Heather Cavanaugh, Chris Kayser, John Rake, and Julie Vacura were recognized in The Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America and that Tom Bode and Dave Samuels were recognized in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. The rankings are based on peer selection.
Heather Cavanaugh has been ranked a Best Lawyer since 2021 and is recognized in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Banking and Finance Litigation
Chris Kayser has been ranked a Best Lawyer since 2015 and is recognized in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, Environmental Litigation, and Securities Litigation
John Rake has been ranked a Best Lawyer since 2022 and is recognized in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, Intellectual Property …
Larkins Vacura Kayser is pleased to announce that Julie Vacura was again recognized as one of the Top 50 lawyers and one of the Top 25 women lawyers in the 2024 issue of Oregon Super Lawyers. The firm is also pleased to announce that Heather Cavanaugh, Chris Kayser, and John Rake were again recognized as Super Lawyers, signifying their place in the top 5% of all lawyers in Oregon. The rankings are based on peer selection and an independent evaluation.
• Heather Cavanaugh has been ranked a Super Lawyer since 2023 and was a Rising Star from 2008 to 2014
• Chris Kayser has been ranked a Super Lawyer since 2018
• John Rake has been ranked a Super Lawyer since 2022 and …
On July 15, 2024, U.S. Judge Hernández issued final approval of a key settlement for a class of Oregon investors represented by Larkins Vacura Kayser in Diane Anderson et al. v. Davis Wright Tremaine et al., No. 3:20-cv-01194-AR (U.S. District Court, Oregon).
Larkins Vacura Kayser attorneys Christopher J. Kayser and John Rake, in conjunction with Esler, Stephens & Buckley attorneys Michael Esler and John Stephens, were appointed class counsel for a class of Oregon investors in real estate securities promoted and managed by American Equities, American Eagle Mortgage Management, Ross Miles, and Maureen Wile. The American Equities operation functioned as a Ponzi scheme, using new investments to pay earlier investors and hide losses. Seven investors represented by Larkins Vacura Kayser and …
On June 11, 2024, John Rake co-presented on Hot Topics in Non-Seller Liability under the Oregon Securities Law with Jacob Goldberg (Stoel Rives) and Stanton Gallegos (Markowitz Herbold). Stoel Rives hosted the lunch presentation, which was also available to virtual attendees. The Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section, of which John Rake serves as Secretary, sponsored the presentation. A copy of the presentation materials is available here.
Larkins Vacura Kayser is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has recognized LVK in its 2024 Chambers USA Guide. LVK was ranked among the top firms in Oregon for Litigation: General Commercial. Additionally, LVK attorneys Julie Vacura and Chris Kayser were ranked among the top lawyers in Oregon for Litigation: General Commercial. The Chambers USA Guide ranks the top attorneys and law firms throughout the United States based on in-depth market analysis and independent research. Since its inception in 1990, Chambers and Partners has been known in the legal profession as “the gold standard” when it comes to finding the best lawyers and law firms around the world.
In the realm of dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration stand out as prominent alternatives to traditional litigation. Both processes offer parties involved in a conflict an opportunity to address their grievances outside the courtroom, often promoting quicker and more amicable resolutions. While mediation and arbitration share the overarching goal of resolving disputes, they differ significantly in their approaches, procedures, and outcomes.
Mediation is a voluntary and collaborative process where a neutral third party, known as the mediator, facilitates communication and negotiation between conflicting parties. Unlike arbitration, the mediator does not impose a decision but encourages the disputing parties to find a mutually agreeable solution. The emphasis in mediation lies on communication, understanding, and compromise. Participants maintain control over the final outcome, …