Oregon Debt Collection Laws: We Love Dreamers

Today, March 27, 2013, The National List of Attorneys published the white paper on debt collection law in Oregon, written by C. Thomas Davis and Paul C. Galm of Davis Galm Law Firm. Davis Galm is a general litigation firm handling cases throughout the state. With its varied background and experience, the firm is able to provide broad legal expertise to its clients, including collections, business and real estate transactions, estate planning, dispute resolutions, personal injury and wrongful death actions, and criminal defense.

Their practice is 50 percent dedicated to debt collection. They belong to the Consumer Law League of America (CLLA), and they have been a member of The National List of Attorneys for almost 20 years.

Tom Davis

C. Thomas Davis received his J.D. from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. His practice includes local, state and national clients, and he appears in all courts throughout the State of Oregon. Tom’s professional involvement includes serving as President of the Washington County Bar Association, Pro-Tem Circuit and Municipal Judge, court-appointed Arbitrator, and Hearing Officer for the State of Oregon. He has been working in the debt collection industry for over 30 years. Debt collection has taught him, “Most people want to pay their bills…they just need to be shown a way to get out of a negative, depressing spiral.” He enjoys working with “many different personalities.”

Paul Galm

Paul Galm received his J.D. from New York University School of Law. He worked as a litigator at Perkins Coie LLP, a large multi-national law firm, for four years before joining the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked as a deputy district attorney for over two years. As a trial attorney, Paul’s practice includes representation of a wide variety of businesses and individuals in court. He has been working in the debt collection industry for five years. The people he works with are what he enjoys most about his job. Paul is a member of the Oregon State Bar, the Multnomah County Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Association.

Tom and Paul advise creditors collecting in Oregon that, “Arbitrators and judges require chain of titles and solid document verification of debt before judgments are awarded,” and “Any Judgment can last up to 20 years, so have patience.” Maybe this is one area where the state slogan, “We Love Dreamers,” applies!

From the paper we learned l that, with regard to statutes of limitation, “One trap for the unwary pertains to landlord tenant residential cases. If a claim is brought on the lease such as for unpaid rent, it must be filed within one year. If the claim is for common law damages to the premises, the statute is six years.” The paper contains many other interesting facts pertaining specifically to debt collection law in Oregon.

Outside of work, Tom does many free consultations and serves on boards for the Assistance League and ARC. He enjoys golfing, snowboarding, jogging, and reading historical nonfiction and science fiction. He had his wife just celebrated their 38th anniversary. They have three grown children. Paul represents abused women at contested restraining order hearings. He enjoys basketball, tennis and his 3 girls, ages 2, 5 and 7.

The National List thanks Tom and Paul for submitting this paper and for telling us something about themselves and their firm. You can access the paper at http://www.nationallist.com/white_papers/oregon.