Walter H. Sweek

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Law Practice

Wally Sweek has over forty-five years of trial experience in all areas of Oregon and Southwest Washington and in virtually every type of tort case - plaintiffs and defendants.   His practice includes product liability, professional liability, employer's liability (work place torts), toxic torts, construction defect, business litigation, and all types of claims related to the trucking industry.

Education & Bar Admissions

Wally earned his bachelor's degree in Science from the University of Oregon in 1959 and his law degree from the University of Oregon Law School in 1962.  Before going into private practice, Wally clerked for the Honorable John F. Kilkenny, of the United States District Court and later of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Wally was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1962, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1963, and the United States Supreme Court in 1972.

Professional Activities

Wally is a member of the Multnomah Bar Association (President, 1988), the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (Vice President, 1981-82; President, 1982-1983), and the Federal Bar Association.  His is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) and member of the Defense Research Institute and the Federal of Defense and Corporate Counsel. 

Wally plays a key role in the firm's association with the ALFA International organization.  He is a member of the Retail Practice and Product Liability Practice Groups and serves on the steering committee of the Transportation Practice Group.    

In 2000, he received the Multnomah Bar Association's Professionalism Award in recognition of his dedication to the legal community.  Wally has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2000-10 editions of Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury section.  He is AV rated (highest rating) by the Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory's peer review for his ethical standards and legal ability.

Wally currently serves on Jury Trial Experience Committee of the ACTL.  The committee seeks to expand jury trial opportunities for young lawyers.  In 2008, the committee developed and implemented a comprehensive trial experience program, which partners with the D.A. and Public Defender's offices to provide first hand trial experience for young attorneys.  Most recently, the committee implemented an Expedited Six-Person Civil Jury Trial Program in state courts.  They hope this new program will provide a valuable trial practice training ground for young lawyers and judges as well as a quick and less expensive route for parties to reach trial.

Community Activities and Interests

Wally's volunteer activities include working with young lawyer mentoring programs, law school moot courts, and he is a past member of the Legal Aid board.

He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys golf, hiking, skiing and running marathons.  Wally and his wife, Gloria, love to travel and a night out for a movie and dinner.

Speaking Engagements and Seminars

• “Fast Track to Trial - Oregon's New Fast Track System”
  Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Conference, August , 2010
• “Getting in Front of the Jury:Jury Trial Enhancement Program”
  American College of Trial Lawyers Regional Meeting, July , 2010
• “Winter Driving and Preserving Evidence”
  Presenter, Oregon Trucking Association , 2008
• “No-Fault, Personal Injury Protection (PIP)”
  ALFA Compendium , 2006
• “Obese Trucker Recovers Against Employer on Disability Discrimination Theory”
  ALFA Quarterly Newsletter , 2005

Client Comments

"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."

"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...."