Thomas A. Bittner

Tom was born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon. In 1982 he graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland with a degree in psychology. Prior to attending Northwestern School of Law, Tom worked for four years, including two years as a legal assistant at this firm. While attending law school, he also worked as a law clerk for the firm. In 1989 Tom graduated from law school, magna cum laude.

Following law school, Tom was privileged to clerk for the Honorable Mary Deits on the Oregon Court of Appeals and then for the Honorable Otto Skopil on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Tom joined the firm as an associate in 1991 and became a partner in 1998.

Tom is now primarily focusing on mediation. He has mediation training from Willamette University School of Law, and has mediated hundreds of cases, both trial and appellate, since beginning his mediation practice in 2007. With nearly two decades of being a mediator in addition to his trial and appellate practice, Tom is one of just a few family law attorneys who have had both a long-term trial practice in addition to a mediation practice. As Tom has stepped back from trial work, he is focusing on acting as a mediator. He does continue to consult to assist parties with strategies for resolution, and for handling appeals. He consults not just with clients, but also local counsel who seek him out for advice. Tom also serves as a mediator for the Oregon Court of Appeals Appellate Settlement Program, a role he’s maintained since 2007.