Walhood Law Group, LLC is an Oregon civil litigation law firm specializing in  complex personal injuries and auto accidents, construction defects, property disputes and premises liability, environmental claims, construction injuries and liens, fire loss and landslides, and product defects. Located in West Linn, just outside of Portland, Oregon, Walhood Law Group, LLC is licensed to practice in Oregon, Washington, and Utah.

Complex Personal Injuries and Auto Accidents

Experience representing both plaintiff and defense in personal injury cases, including:

• Injuries such as amputation, quadriplegia, paraplegia, hearing loss, thoracic outlet syndrome, and fibromyalgia;

• Wrongful death cases arising from the loss of a family member; 

• Cases involving police vehicles, commercial vehicles, multiple vehicles, and missing or “phantom” vehicles;

• Motorcycle into car accidents, motorcycle into motorcycle accidents, car into pedestrian and cross-walk accidents, car into bicycle accidents, and car into truck accidents; and

• Cases arising from electrocution or scaffolding falls.

Construction Defects

Extensive experience representing developers, general contractors, subcontractors, materials suppliers, and officers and members of the board of directors in construction defect cases involving:

• Commercial buildings;

• Shopping complexes; 

• Resorts;

• Condominiums;

• Town homes;

• Apartment buildings; and

• Single-family homes. 

We have developed a streamlined process for preparing complex construction defect cases for settlement or trial. We know the experts, we know the rules, we know the opposition, and we have the resources to tackle the issues and obtain the best results for our clients.

Premises Liability and Property Disputes

Experience in successfully defending businesses and property owners in:

• slip-and-falls on the premises; and

• trip-and-falls in parking lots or on sidewalks.

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Experience in property disputes, including:

• Adverse possession;

• Nuisance;

• Trespass; and 

• Timber trespass. 

Environmental Disputes

Experience in defending environmental claims pertaining to:

• Mold; 

• Lead paint;

• Underground storage tanks; and

• VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). 

Construction Injuries and Liens

Although construction safety standards have improved over the years, construction work-site injuries still occur.  When litigation ensues as a result of those injuries, we are ready to defend owners, developers, and general contractors who are blamed for those injuries.  We identify the causes of the injuries and the parties at fault.   We ensure that the mediator or, should the case proceed to trial, the jury is fully informed of those facts so that the right outcome can be reached.

A construction lien is a powerful tool for recovering unpaid amounts owed a contractor.  Our firm can advise our contractor clients on the best methods to establish and perfect construction liens.  We also protect and defend our property owner clients from wrongfully-filed liens.  

Fire Loss and Landslide

Fire loss and landslide cases often involve complex evidentiary, causation, and insurance issues.  We know how to piece together the evidence to figure out what happened, how it happened, and who was at fault.

Product Defects

When a product fails, or is alleged to have failed, we work with the top experts within the state and around the country to investigate the product's defects.  We can prosecute those who are responsible for defects, defend those who are accused of causing or contributing to defects, or both.  Prior cases include alleged defects in:

• Building materials and components;

• Plumbing parts;

• Medical devices;

• Tires; 

• Braking systems; and

• Trailer hitches.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Katie Smith provides mediation and arbitration services for construction defect, casualty, premise and product liability, landlord-tenant, business and other disputes. In her practice as a JAG and civil litigator Katie demonstrated a knack for being able to step into even the most challenging of cases, view it through a different lens and work with opposing counsel to reach a compromise. Her approach involves working with the parties leading up to mediation to facilitate a reasonable exchange of information, identify and address what might otherwise be barriers to compromise and engage the parties in a collaborative process as the parties work to find a resolution that will work for all parties involved. To schedule a mediation or arbitration, please click the following link to contact Katie Smith.

Office Location:

1830 Blankenship Road, Suite 200

West Linn, OR 97068

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Phone: 503-974-9899

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Fax: 1-503-298-5843

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To schedule a mediation or arbitration, contact Katie Smith at:

Mobile: (360) 771-8001

Email: ksmith@walhoodlaw.com

KENNETH L. WALHOOD
Email: ken@walhoodlaw.com

Ken Walhood has specialized in disputes involving complex personal injuries and auto accidents, construction defects, property disputes and premises liability, fire loss and landslides, product defects, and insurance coverage for the last 20 years.  Mr. Walhood graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University.  In 1994, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from University of Idaho School of Law in Moscow, Idaho, where he also interned with the Latah County, Idaho District Attorney's office.  After a clerkship with the Multnomah County District Court, Mr. Walhood joined a civil litigation law firm and has practiced in civil litigation since 1996.  In 2005, Mr. Walhood co-founded the law firm, Blunck & Walhood, LLC, where Mr. Walhood worked as a partner for 14 years.

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Mr. Walhood is licensed to practice in Oregon state and federal courts, Washington state and federal courts, and Utah state courts.​

KATIE L. SMITH
Email: ksmith@walhoodlaw.com

Katie Smith  Katie Smith received her Juris Doctorate degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas in 2003 and obtained her law license in the State of Oregon. She began her legal career as a JAG in the United States Air Force, stationed in Colorado where she was both a criminal prosecutor and served as general legal counsel for the base she was assigned. Katie returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2007 and began her practice as a civil defense litigator, specializing in construction defect litigation and other casualty and business disputes. Over the course of her career, she worked as staff counsel for an insurance company, managed her own practice for 7 years and served as managing partner for a firm with offices in Oregon and Washington, before joining Walhood Law Group, LLC. 

With her extensive experience as a litigator involving complex construction defect claims, casualty claims and business disputes, along with her ability to view even the most challenging of cases with a lens towards compromise and resolution, Katie Smith also provides mediation and arbitration services.

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Ms. Smith is licensed to practice in Oregon and Washington state and federal courts.