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Ray was admitted to the bar in 1979 and is a member of the bars of the Oregon State and Federal courts. He obtained his J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1979.
Before going to law school, Ray worked as a private investigator and in a variety of manual trades including equipment operator, welder's apprentice, janitor and crew supervisor. Ray has focused his practice on injury cases including personal injury and product liability. He has presented educational seminars on insurance and personal injury topics, and has organized and presented seminars for Oregon and national gatherings of attorneys. He is a regular commentator on pedestrian and bicycle law and safety.
His past positions include two years on the board of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, two years on the board of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), membership on the BTA Legislative Committee, and seven years as chair of the National Lawyers Guild Litigation Committee. He started a series of free legal clinics for bicycle riders in 1994, and gives regular bike and pedestrian law and safety presentations. His book Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists is now in its 8th edition, and he is the author of Oregon Pedestrian Rights: A Legal Guide for Persons on Foot (2007).
He loves to row and race his bike up hills. He and his law partner, Jim Coon, have led (these days they mostly follow) the Monday/Thursday Noontime Lawyers Bike Rides since 1991. Ray has four children and is active in Oregon’s bicycle, traffic, and work safety communities as an activist, commentator, and speaker.
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Chat withState: Illinois
No misconduct found
State: Oregon
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
820 SW Second Avenue, Suite 200, Portland, OR, 97204-3087
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | August 18, 2017 | Consulted Attorney
Ray helped me work through a minor bike accident case. He helped determine the best way to navigate my insurance claim when I lacked some of the driver information I needed. He was very timely and effective with all communications. He provided this consultation and information at minimal cost due to ...
Posted by John | June 11, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Fighting for a reasonable outcome from a large corporation isn't easy. Ray walked me through the process and was always well prepared to represent me when the key moments arrived. The corporation wasted time and money to pay out significantly more than just my medical bills, which is where this cou...
Posted by Paul | May 10, 2015
I got to know Ray following a cycling incident in which a car driver intentionally and seriously endangered me while riding my bike in the Portland area. I filed a police report, but authorities informed me that nothing could be done as I had no serious injuries (how fortunate I was?), no witnesses a...
Posted by Joel | April 21, 2015
After being run over by a car while bicycling, I received Ray's contact information from two different friends, one living in Wisconsin and another in Oregon! Both friends (who did not know each other) said Ray was "the best in town." I phoned him and he came over immediately and took my case on. The...
Posted by Mark | April 8, 2015
Ray Thomas is a living legend when it comes to bike advocacy and cyclist’s rights litigation. When I was hit Ray Thomas was the first and only recommendation I was given by a friend whose father is a lawyer. My case was fairly black and white as insurance company admitted complete fault in my acciden...
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2015
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2011
Advocacy Volunteer of the Year, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
2011
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2008
super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
1999
Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist, Public Justice
1999
Public Justice Award, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
1982 - Present
Founding Partner, Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton
Member
Past Board Member
Past Chair
Member
Member
Member
Plaintiff Verdict
Settled
Settled
Settled
Trial to Plaintiff's Verdict
Trial to Plaintiff's Verdict
Trial to Plaintiff's Verdict
1979
JD - Juris Doctor
2015
Intersection of Criminal Prosecution with Civil Practice
N/A
Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Law
N/A
N/A
N/A
English