Portland Oregon Corporate Lawyer & Atorney
A selection of news items relating to cases handled by Mr. Pitzer are listed below in reverse chronological order.

April 21, 2012

The Oregonian Reports on Victory in Case Against U.S. Government


In an article featured on the front page of the business section, the Oregonian reported today that Jeff Pitzer and Bryan Geon obtained the unprecedented relief of a preliminary injunction against the United States of America, preventing the government from taking away the rights of Pitzer's clients (three local, family-owned businesses) to participate as authorized retailers in the federal food stamp program.

May 13, 2009

The Oregonian Reports on Victory in Federal Criminal Case


The Oregonian reported today that Portland, Oregon defense attorney Jeff Pitzer successfully convinced federal prosecutors to drop charges of attempted murder and robbery against his client, saving his client nine years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

July 15, 2008

The Ninth Circuit Watch Reports on Constitutional Victory


The Ninth Circuit Watch reported today that Portland, Oregon attorney Jeff Pitzer won a complex federal appeal making new constitutional law that will in the future entitle defendants in the right circumstances to obtain immunity for witnesses who possess exonerating information.

September 21, 2007

Portland's Willamette Week reports on a high profile dispute between former law partners, which was ultimately resolved favorably by Jeff Pitzer on behalf of his client.

March 11, 2003

Portland Tribune Reports on Victory in Trade Mark Suit


The Portland Tribune reported today that nationally-recognized West African musician Obo Addy had prevailed in his trademark dispute with reggae musician OB Addy. Jeff Pitzer, Obo Addy's attorney, is quoted as saying that "we brought this case to stop the confusion, and I believe Judge Amiton's ruling accomplishes that objective perfectly, while at the same time vindicating Obo's position entirely."

August 20, 2002

Portland Tribune Reports on Landmark Trade Mark Suit


In a prominent article today, the Portland Tribune reported on a cutting edge trademark lawsuit brought by Jeff Pitzer on behalf of world-renowned West African master drummer Obo Addy. Mr. Addy is suing Portland reggae musician Ahmed Addy, to stop him from using the initials "Ob" to promote his band. Obo Addy's lawsuit claims that Ahmed's use of the name "Ob Addy" is confusing people who attend shows into thinking that they will see the nationally recognized West African drummer, but instead hear African style reggae played by Ob Addy and his band I & I. "Obo has spent the last three decades building up his name recognition," Jeff Pitzer was quoted as saying. "What [the defendant] is now doing is . . . using a name that is very similar and is causing confusion." Mr. Pitzer was further quoted as saying that "Obo would certainly rather not have to bring this legal action . . . but he felt he had no alternative."
July 14, 2001

Chicago Tribune Reports on Victory in Appeal of Murder Conviction.


The Chicago Tribune reported today, in a prominent article on the front page of the Metro section, that Jeff Pitzer had obtained a reversal of a murder conviction on behalf of his pro bono client Sammie Swarn. According to the Tribune's article, "the Illinois Appellate Court on Friday set aside the murder conviction of Sammie Swarn, saying prosecutors disobeyed a court order and gave improper arguments." According to Jeff Pitzer, the prosecutors stepped over the line out of overzealousness because the evidence was weak. Mr. Pitzer is quoted as saying "there is no physical evidence linking Sammie Swarn to the murder . . . if not for [the prosecutors] actions, I believe the jury would have acquitted Sammie. We have an innocent guy in jail for seven years."

September 29, 2000

Chicago Tribune Reports on Dispute Involving Plans for World's Tallest Building.


The Chicago Tribune reported today, in a front page article in the Business Section, on a dispute involving a project to build the world's tallest building in downtown Chicago. The developer of the project, Scott Toberman, had paid a $500,000 fee to a mortgage broker in California who had promised to procure five hundred million dollars in financing for the project. The broker never procured the financing, and would agree to refund the 1/2 million dollar deposit only if Toberman would sign a release. Jeff Pitzer, Toberman's attorney, is quoted as saying that the release is something that they are certainly not entitled to. Mr. Pitzer ultimately succeeded in recovering Mr. Toberman's $500,000 deposit by obtaining an order from a federal judge in Chicago.
May 4, 1999

Belleville News-Democrat Reports on Condemnation Victory.


The Belleville News-Democrat reported today, in a front page article, that an Illinois appellate court had, in a unanimous opinion, found a local development authority's condemnation of private land to be unconstitutional. Jeff Pitzer, who handled the case on behalf of the landowner, is quoted as saying "it is a very good opinion in our view. It has reaffirmed my belief in the American legal system by reaffirming the principles for which our forefathers fought the American revolution."

May 5, 1999

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Reports on Rare Grant of Habeas Corpus by the Seventh Circuit.


The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported today that the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial for a sixteen year old Chicago youth convicted by a Cook County jury of murder. The appeal was handled by Jeff Pitzer. In reversing the defendant's conviction on an accountability theory, the Seventh Circuit held that the trial judge erred in refusing to grant a continuance that would have allowed the defense to present its only fact witness. The court also found that the trial judge should have allowed the defense to question potential jurors about gang bias during voir dire. The petitioner's attorney, Jeff S. Pitzer, is quoted as saying, "Mr. Gardner will surely be heartened by the ruling, [which] certainly facilitates a defendant's constitutional right to seat a jury that is free of bias."

December 2, 1998

The Wall Street Journal Quotes Jeff Pitzer in Front Page Article Regarding High Profile Condemnation Cases.


The Wall Street Journal today included in a front page article a synopsis of a cutting edge eminent domain case handled by Jeff Pitzer on behalf of a southern Illinois land owner. The land owner is attempting to protect his property from a takeover by a local redevelopment authority. Mr. Pitzer is quoted as saying that "government is getting more brazen." The Journal reported in a follow up story in May 1999, that Mr. Pitzer obtained a complete victory for his client in the case.