Ms. Bernton focuses her work on all types of commercial disputes, with an emphasis on complex real estate litigation. She advocates for multinational companies, regional companies, and local businesses to help them achieve their goals through trial and dispute resolution. Ms. Bernton represents businesses in state and federal courts, as well as in administrative settings including private mediation and in judicial settlement conferences. Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, she was an attorney with the Eugene, Oregon, law firm Gleaves Swearingen LLP. Ms. Bernton attended the University of Oregon School of Law where she graduated Order of the Coif and served as editor-in-chief of the Oregon International Law Review. She was also an O’Connell Fellow with the Public Law and Policy Program and a recipient of the Laird Kirkpatrick Book Prize.

Ms. Brittle grew up in SE Portland, Oregon, and is a third-generation native Oregonian. She attended Portland State University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, graduating with high honors. In 2002, she began law school at Lewis & Clark Law School. Throughout college and law school, Ms. Brittle worked full time in the Portland legal community. She spent five years working at the Oregon Law Institute, where she supported Assistant Dean Elizabeth Stephens in organizing continuing legal education seminars for local professionals. This afforded her the opportunity to work with well-respected attorneys and judges and solidified her love of the law. Ms. Brittle spent her last year of law school clerking at the Department of Justice in the Family Law Section. She appeared in court on behalf of the State of Oregon in cases involving the termination of parental rights, child support enforcement, and mental health issues. This allowed her to gain a unique insight into the challenges faced by Oregon families in the family law arena. Ms. Brittle began her private practice in 2006, which has focused on helping families as they transition through a divorce, or as they modify their agreements post-divorce or post-separation. Her passion is helping clients make good decisions as they reform their families, or as they make adjustments to prior agreements that support their children’s best interests. She is also passionate about protecting children and providing access to the legal system for women and minorities. Her pro bono work as a court-appointed attorney for children in high conflict cases allows her to support families in yet another way.

Mr. Burke brings 24 years of experience as a litigation attorney in Oregon, Washington, and federal courts. Since retiring from law, he has embraced his role as a senior paralegal, where his legal insight continues to benefit clients and colleagues alike. Mr. Burke has also served as a pro tem judge for the Beaverton Peer Court for seven years and has held directorships with several nonprofit organizations.

Erika-Leigh “E-L”Goodwin is a Paralegal with Kramer & Associates. She is a seasoned paralegal with experience handling divorce, custody, parenting time, child support and psychological parent and third-party cases, complex legal issues, and a wide range of clients, all of which contributed to her professional growth and expertise. Ms. Goodwin believes that paralegals should demonstrate attention to detail, strong research skills, and ability to work well under pressure, all of which are crucial when handling complex legal cases, which often involve extensive documentation, multiple parties, complex legal information, and a significant amount of evidence. She earned an AAS Paralegal from the ABA approved program at Portland Community College. With a robust background in family law, immigration law, and federal criminal defense, Ms. Goodwin is a highly skilled and dedicated paralegal professional with over 15 years of experience in the legal field. After more than 6 years and as the lead paralegal for Kramer & Associates in Portland, Oregon, she  began Pragmatic Paralegal Services and now works as an independent contract paralegal. Ms. Goodwin has successfully completed the rigorous curriculum and testing by the Oregon State Bar to become a Licensed Paralegal authorized by the State of Oregon to perform limited legal services within a defined and endorsed scope of practice (Family Law). She is currently awaiting admission.

Mr. Kramer specializes in family law and civil litigation including personal injury, civil rights, and employment cases. He has more than 35 years of trial experience and extensive experience in family law issues ranging from adoption and contested custody to grandparent and psychological parent rights. Mr. Kramer serves as a pro-tem judge for the Multnomah County Circuit Court. As co-counsel for the Oregon State Judiciary Committee and in private practice, he drafted family law legislation that is now Oregon law. Mr. Kramer is the author of several articles about family law and is a frequent speaker on the subjects of grandparent and psychological parent rights. He graduated with honors from Cornell University and then received his law degree from Northeastern University. Mr. Kramer has completed a 40-hour mediation training through Clackamas County Resolution Services; 40 hours of advanced mediation training through Multnomah County Family Resolution Services and further training through Mediate.com. Mr. Kramer is a member of the Oregon Mediation Association and the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners. He co-founded the Domestic Relations Alliance of Mediators and Attorneys. Mr. Kramer is listed as a 2025 Distinguished Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Laidlaw’s main areas of practice include family law, mediation and collaborative law. He is a member of the Clackamas County Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Oregon and before the United States District Court, District of Oregon. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of California and his J.D. degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

As an associate in the Litigation Department with Sussman Shank LLP, Ms. Marino focuses on business and employment litigation. She is involved in every stage of the litigation process, from conducting legal research and drafting motions to managing discovery and preparing cases for trial. Ms. Marino also provides strategic support throughout the case, ensuring detailed preparation and a focused approach at each phase. In addition to her work in employment law, she gained significant experience in immigration law during her time in law school, which enhances her ability to navigate intricate and sensitive legal issues that intersect with her clients’ livelihoods. Her deep understanding of the complexities of civil matters is further enriched by her experience updating the Wright & Miller Federal Practice and Procedure treatise during her time at Lewis & Clark, providing her with a comprehensive grasp of federal litigation practices. Ms. Marino earned her B.S. degree, summa cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Lewis & Clark Law School.