Josh concentrates on complex, civil dispute resolution, particularly involving natural resources such as land and water. He also advises clients on environmental and natural resource issues in Oregon and California. Josh’s practice includes the representation of a federally recognized Indian tribe, providing a suite of general and special counsel services. Josh endeavors to keep his clients’ objectives top of mind and to develop efficient solutions to achieve those objectives.

Client Experience

• Representation of federally-recognized Indian tribes on a variety of matters, including trust litigation against the United States and enforcement of tribal treaty rights
• Representation of clients on various water law matters, including water right certification, water right transfers, and water right protests
• Representation of hydroelectric project owner regarding bond financing dispute
• Representation of landowners on Endangered Species Act issues
• Representation of landowners on a variety of real estate disputes, including easement and right-of-way disputes
• Representation of solar project developer regarding land use entitlement issues
• Representation of title companies with respect to title and escrow issues
• Representation of financial institutions on various issues including creditors’ rights
• Representation of Oregon community associations focusing on dispute resolution, creative problem solving, and governance issues
• Representation of Oregon attorneys in defending legal malpractice claims

• Member of the board of trustees for the High Desert Museum (Chair 2015 – 2018)
• Member of the board of directors for Economic Development for Central Oregon, Inc.
• Member of the Rotary Club of Greater Bend

Josh earned a B.S. in Forest Management from Oregon State University in 1995. He then attended Willamette University College of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1998. 

Recognition

• Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation
• Central Oregon Legal Professionals – Boss of the Year (2006 – 07)

Publications and Presentations

• Co-presenter, “Goal 5 from a tribal perspective: How much information is enough to protect tribal cultural sites?” – RELU Annual Summer Conference, Oregon State Bar, August 2019
• Co-presenter, “Deschutes River Basin – Update,” Oregon Water Law Conference, The Seminar Group, Portland, Oregon, November 2018
• Co-presenter, “The Lands and Waters of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon,” High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon, September 2018
• Co-presenter, “Deschutes River Basin – Update,” Oregon Water Law Conference, The Seminar Group, Portland, Oregon, March 2018,
• Co-presenter, “The Lands and Waters of the Western United States – A Tribal Perspective,” RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, January 2018
• Co-presenter, “Deschutes Basin Update,” Oregon Water Law Conference, The Seminar Group, Portland, Oregon, November 2017
• Presenter, “Leadership,” NALS of Oregon, Kah-Nee-Ta, Warm Springs Reservation, Oregon, September 2017
• Co-author, Amended and Supplemental Pleadings, OREGON CIVIL PLEADINGS AND PRACTICE 2012 Revision (OSB CLE)
• Co-author, Contracts Created by Agreement and Contracts Created by Operation of Law, CONTRACT LAW IN OREGON 2008 Supp. (OSB CLE)
• Co-author, Amended and Supplemental Pleadings, OREGON CIVIL PLEADINGS AND PRACTICE 2006 Revision (OSB CLE)
• Co-author, Contracts Created by Agreement and Contracts Created by Operation of Law, CONTRACT LAW IN OREGON 2003 Revision (OSB CLE)
• Co-author, Amended and Supplemental Pleadings, OREGON CIVIL PLEADINGS AND PRACTICE 2001 Supp. (OSB CLE)

• Oregon State Bar
• State Bar of California
• Supreme Court of the United States
• United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• United States District Court for the District of Oregon
• United States Court of Federal Claims

Josh is married and has two sons. He and his family regularly enjoy many of the outdoor activities that Central Oregon offers, including mountain biking, running, and hunting.