Salem Education Lawyers

I am licensed to practice law in both Oregon and Washington. I am also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. I am the parent of three boys, one of whom has special needs. All three of them attended public schools. I understand both the joy and heartache that come with the gift of these special children. As a lawyer, I have the unique opportunity to...

I represent individuals who have been harmed by others - whether personally like in an automobile/car accident, or by an institution like abuse or violation of civil rights. I have been practicing law in the State and Federal courts in Oregon since 2005, and have additional relevant legal experience extending back to 1991. My experience includes working for international law firms to my own solo practice representing corporations, small businesses, and individuals. I am a trial attorney and have litigated cases against businesses, insurance companies, colleges, universities, trade schools, and schools on behalf of people that...

Nathan Piers-VanderPloeg is a native Oregonian born and raised in the Portland area. He graduated with a degree in Political Science from Linfield College in 2005 and earned his law degree from the University of Oregon in 2011. While working for the Lane County District Attorney as a third-year law student, Nathan tried and won five cases, including a seven count felony jury trial. Following his graduation from law school, Nathan worked as an associate in a general litigation firm, focusing his personal practice on the areas of Employment Law, Personal Injury, and criminal defense. He has handled a...

Attorney Randy Geller’s practice is principally devoted to advising educational institutions. His clients range from small religious colleges to major public universities and school districts. Randy’s practice has involved many of the major issues in American education, such as governance and accountability; freedom of speech and management of protests; sexual misconduct and sexual harassment; confidentiality of student records; campus safety; and the federal government’s ever-increasing regulation of education. Randy’s practical approach to problem-solving, keen awareness of internal and external political issues, and understanding of financial and organizational constraints are the result of 19 years at two public research universities....

Joel joined Weatherford Thompson in 2002 after working one year with a law firm in Eugene, Oregon. A Washington state native before moving to Oregon in 1998, Joel utilizes his experience to assist individuals, businesses, developers, property owners, employers, and farmers in the Linn and Benton Counties. Joel is active in the Linn County Bar and the state bars, and has served as a member of the Oregon House of Delegates. He also volunteers for the Mid-Willamette YMCA, the Corvallis Community Children’s Centers, Peer Court, United Way, as well as several other smaller non-profit organizations. On his off time,...

Jonathan Edwards has spent the majority of his legal career working in higher education, as general counsel for a public university, and as an instructor in business law.

Attorney Bryan Boender has defended those accused of major crimes, felonies, misdemeanors, and DUII in Oregon's federal, state and municipal courts. Boender has also pursued lawsuits on behalf of individuals into federal court to seek remedies for personal injury and civil rights violations. He also represents college and university students accused of sexual misconduct and student conduct code violations. As a leader, Boender has distinguished himself through his dedication to public service and public interest law. Prior to law school, he served in the active-duty military as a paratrooper with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. As an enlisted infantryman,...

James Martin has been raising his family on Oregon's south coast since 2008. Previously, he graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1999. James served as a law clerk to a federal judge in Arizona before spending several years in the commercial litigation and school law sections of a large firm in Phoenix.

James opened his Coos Bay law practice in 2018 after many years as a house husband and public servant. He spent seven years as a member of the Coos Bay School Board, where he also ran the successful 2017 facilities...