Chris Kitchel has been a trial lawyer with Stoel Rives for over 30 years. As a result of her successful courtroom experience and her business background, Chris offers her clients proven insight into all phases of the business litigation process. "Preparation, preparation, preparation" is her motto. Chris strongly believes her role is to understand her client's overall business objectives and to align case management accordingly. She strives to provide clients with a clear understanding of their strategic options for each step of the legal controversy at issue. Her goal is "no surprises."
Chris traditionally has focused on employment law matters, primarily counseling and employment litigation. She also has deep experience working with health organizations on physician peer review and related proceedings. Her work has won her many plaudits from her clients and peers. Named an Oregon Top 25 Women Super Lawyer by Oregon Super Lawyers, Chris is praised in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011 for her "very good client relationship skills and extensive litigation experience."
Professional Honors & Activities
- Selected by Best Lawyers® as Portland Litigation-Labor & Employment Law Lawyer of the Year, 2014
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America® (currently: Employment Law-Management, Litigation-Labor & Employment), 1995-2015
- Selected as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" (Oregon) by Chambers USA (currently: Labor and Employment), 2006-2014
- Selected as one of the Top 25 Oregon Women Lawyers by Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2006-2011
- Selected as one of the Top 50 Oregon Lawyers by Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2006-2009
- Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers® (Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation: Defense), 2006-2014
- Named 2010 Mentor of the Year by the Multnomah Bar Association
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; Former Chair, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
- Past President, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- Member, Washington Association of Defense Trial Lawyers
- Member, IAALS and ACTL Task Force on Discovery and Civil Justice
- Member, American Bar Association
- Former Instructor of Accounting, Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College
- Former C.P.A., Oregon