Chad M. Colton
- Portland
- Seattle
Notice
Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Perkins Coie, please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be of a confidential or secret nature. Perkins Coie has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide. Neither the transmission nor receipt of your information is considered a request for legal advice, securing or retaining a lawyer. An attorney-client relationship with Perkins Coie or any lawyer at Perkins Coie is not established until and unless Perkins Coie agrees to such a relationship as memorialized in a separate writing.
An accomplished trial lawyer, clients turn to Chad when they are facing high-stakes business, brand, and reputational threats, especially in cases that are approaching trial.
Chad Colton handles high-stakes business litigation, with a particular focus on the sports, entertainment, and video game sectors. He has taken 30 cases to trial nationwide and is frequently brought into late-stage trial engagements. Chambers USA describes Chad as a “go-to lawyer for bet-the-company commercial litigation,” with market sources calling him a “skillful litigator who is not afraid to go in and try cases” and noting his ability to “unpack the most complex cases and adapt his trial strategy to any jury.”
Chad serves as lead counsel in commercial litigation involving contracts, fiduciary duties, trade secrets, IP matters, shareholder and partnership disputes, endorsement deals, and high-value tort claims. He represents clients across a range of industries and has substantial experience in matters involving athletes, celebrities, and sportswear companies.
Drawing on 20 years of courtroom experience and the study of trial techniques, Chad shares insights on trial work, depositions, and oral advocacy through seminars, articles, and instructional videos.
Areas of focus
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Lewis & Clark Law School, J.D., cum laude, Staff, Law Review, 2006
- Brigham Young University, B.A., Political Science, 2003
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Oregon
-
Washington
Related Employment
- Markowitz Herbold PC, Portland, OR, Associate, 2011-2012; Shareholder, 2013-2026
- Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, Portland, OR, Summer Associate, 2005; Associate, 2006-2011
- Multnomah County District Attorney, Portland, OR, Certified Legal Student, 2006
Professional Recognition
Chambers USA, Up and Coming, 2017–2020; Ranked in Litigation: General Commercial, 2021-2025
Forbes Best-in-State, Oregon, 2025
Oregon Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2009-2019; Super Lawyer, 2020-2025
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyer, 2024-2026
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2022-Present
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2022-Present
- Oregon State Bar; Corporate Counsel Section, Executive Committee, 2021-Present; Technology Section, Executive Committee, 2009-2018; Chair, 2014; International Section, Executive Committee, 2015-2022; Chair, 2017
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Chair of the Commercial Litigation Section, 2018-2020; Board of Directors, 2021-2023
Community Involvement
- Civics Learning Project, Board of Directors, 2020-2025
- Quechua Benefit, Board of Directors, 2015-Present; Board Chair, 2018-Present
- Up & Out, Board of Directors, 2008-Present; Board President, 2012-Present
Professional Experience
Experience
Odell Beckham Jr. Litigation*
Served as late-stage, lead trial counsel for NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. in a jury trial, defeating claims for alleged violation of an endorsement agreement.
Martin v. Babikian*
Secured a nearly $30 million jury verdict as lead trial counsel on RICO and contract claims for a Shark Tank celebrity against an international fugitive that media outlets labeled the “Wolf of Montreal.”
adidas Litigation*
Represented adidas in multiple federal court and arbitration matters.
Opal Labs Inc. v. Sprinklr, Inc.*
Represented Opal Labs as lead trial counsel in a jury trial for trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract for use of proprietary software. The case reached a favorable resolution after the jury reached a liability verdict for Opal Labs and hung on damages.
Manufacturing Company*
Defended a manufacturing company as late-stage, lead trial counsel in a jury trial involving claims for willful patent infringement over a fire safety invention.
Power Buying Dealers, Inc. v. Boyd Coffee Company*
Obtained a full defense verdict for Boyd Coffee Company in a federal jury trial involving bet-the-company claims for breach of a distribution agreement.
Boy Scouts Litigation*
Served as lead defense counsel for the Boy Scouts of America in a set of more than 150 tort cases in Oregon and Guam, seeking collective damages of several billion dollars.
Card Connect v. Traeger Grills*
Defended Traeger Grills against trade secret and contract claims involving electronic payment processing. Secured full dismissal of claims through a series of motions.
Aequitas Investor Litigation*
Defended a global Am Law firm in a federal class action and related mass actions arising out of the failure of the Aequitas investment funds.
Construction and Engineering Company Litigation*
Represented a construction and engineering company in international and domestic arbitrations and federal court proceedings regarding the acquisition of a U.S. architecture and engineering firm.
Luken v. Christensen Shipyards Inc. Directors and Officers*
Defended shareholders and officers from claims following the hostile takeover of premier shipbuilder.
Unified Grocers v. C&K Market, Inc.*
Defended C&K Market against claims for breach of a distribution agreement.
*Prior firm experience.