Kenneth J. Abere, Jr.

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Law Practice

Ken Abere, a partner, joined Cosgrave Vergeer Kester in 1994.  His practice focuses on railroads, personal injury, products liability, premises liability, landlord/tenant, real estate and business litigation, as well as real estate transactions.  Ken is the Practice Group Leader for the firm's Transportation Practice Group.

Prior to joining CVK, Ken worked as a personal insurance underwriter for Chubb Insurance and a commercial insurance underwriter for Safeco Insurance.

Recent trial experience for Ken includes a defense verdict on a claim involving construction delays and lost profits.  The eight day trial involved more than twenty witnesses and four hundred exhibits.

Education & Bar Admissions

Ken received his bachelor's degree in Economics from Trinity College (CT) in 1986 and his law degree from Willamette University in 1994.

He became a member of the Oregon State Bar and the United States District Court for Oregon in 1994, and the Washington State Bar in 2004.

Professional Activities

Ken is a member of the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel and the Multnomah County Bar Association.  He also volunteers at the St. Andrews Legal Clinic.

Community Activities and Interests

Ken spends his time outside of the office coaching his son's Wilson Youth football team and basketball team.  He also plays on a competitive Multnomah Athletic Club men's basketball team.  His team won the 2005 National Club Championship.  In October 2006 Ken was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.  He held the Trinity College all-time scoring record from 1985 until 2006.

Speaking Engagements and Seminars

• “Effective Drafting of Real Estate Addendums”
  Prudential Northwest Properties, February , 2010
• “Real Estate Case Studies”
  ReMax Realty, April , 2010
• “Real Estate Case Studies”
  Meadows Real Estate Group, June , 2010
• “2008 Changes to Seller's Disclosure Form”
  Realty Trust Agent Seminar, February , 2008
• “Real Estate Contract Drafting Issues”
  Chicago Title CLE, October 21 , 2008

Client Comments

At the realty presentation today..."you were very good and quite informative."

"CONGRATULATIONS on your defense verdict....  As we have all discussed on numerous occasions, this case was an enormous challenge on so many levels.  Your coordinated efforts to focus on the key issues in presenting the case obviously worked very well with the jury.  Kudos to you.  It is a very impressive victory!

Also thanks to Sonia, MaryAnn, Jane, Pam and everyone else with the firm who worked on this case.  The management of the huge number of documents/exhibits was quite an undertaking, and your coordination and organization of all of the moving parts was quite impressive as well."

"Thank you so much for taking the time to present to our office.  It was fabulous.  If I can help you in the future, please let me know."

"Ken/Wally/Paul

I want to thank you guys for all of the hard work on long hours that you put in with this case.  Your preparation and professional approach really came through at the trial and is what I think impressed the jury.  I appreciate your time and patience with me in explaining the process and answering my questions.  Please thank your staff for all of their hard work...."

"On behalf on everyone in the office and especially those that attended our meeting this morning, thank you for taking the time to share with us your experiences and expertise.  It was very informative."

Read all client comments...