I’ve been described as a person who has a love for others. Another described me as someone who leads with my whole heart, and someone who isn’t afraid to let my humanity shine. As you may know, one of the reasons I started Reynolds Defense Firm is because I’m passionate about helping others. There’s a level of empathy and consideration that was missing from the legal field when I was arrested over 20 years ago for a DUI, and while that experience was traumatic, it lingered and propelled me forward when it could’ve easily hindered my growth. That lingering feeling is what drove me to pick myself up, learn from my mistake, and go to law school. It’s what carried me to take the Oregon State Bar Exam. Above all, it is one of the biggest influences that helps me provide the best service and solutions for my clients.
While it’s strange for me to talk about myself, I think it’s important for you to meet the individual who is more than my job title as a business owner. There’s more to the person who you might hear on the radio or even sit down with in my conference room. At the end of the day, I serve and employ those who I trust. When you come to my office, you are stepping into an establishment that is built and run by the talented professionals I trust with your well-being and my reputation. The lessons and people I engage with at my firm help me to be a better father, husband, leader and defender of the good people who need my team’s help.
When you meet me, there’s no “smoke and mirrors”. I’m a guy from a small town in New York who used to detassel corn at a farm for $2.85 per hour. I’ve been an aggressive and effective prosecutor, but if I’m at a party and a kid asks me to make balloon animals, I will. I would probably live on junk food if my wife let me, but she prefers for me to live and prosper without clogged arteries. I always aim to genuinely connect with others, and if possible, leave them better off than they were before. My firm is known for consistently exceeding our client’s expectations, but please don’t mistake our kindness for weakness or consider our firm as a last resort. You have many options for representation, so when you come through our doors, I don’t want it to be because you feel like you don’t have a choice. I trust you’ll weigh your options, and if we decide this is the very best place for you and your family, we will do everything we can to defend the good person you are.
It is a little startling to me when I add it up, but for over 25 years now, I’ve specialized in Oregon criminal law – I served several years as a prosecutor and I’m now in my 21st year as a criminal defense attorney.
Before my career as an attorney and business owner, I earned an Associate in Applied Science and Environmental Technology at Paul Smith’s College in 1992. Soon after in 1995, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Engineering from SUNY ESF at Syracuse University. After graduating from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College, I began my law career as a prosecutor in Multnomah County.
As a deputy district attorney, the sheer volume of cases in Multnomah County was and still is staggering. During my time there, I took hundreds of cases to trial, and I negotiated and made charging decisions on literally thousands of cases. My office was located in a police precinct for two years, and on a daily basis I advised and trained police officers on how to legally conduct criminal investigations and to make arrests.
Now specializing as a Portland DUII defense attorney, I still draw on this experience and knowledge every day. I understand how a prosecutor will react in most given situations because I’ve been in their shoes. I understand how to read between the lines in police reports because I’ve trained officers on writing reports. Most importantly, I understand how to use this knowledge to help the people my firm represents.
Because of Reynolds Defense Firm’s success and growth, we’ve been recognized by many reputable organizations. You can visit our Awards & Associations page for a complete list, but for me, I am proud of my perfect AVVO rating as a top DUI and DWI attorney. My firm was ranked by Portland Business Journal in 2018 as a top 100 company across all industries and the 2nd fastest growing law firm in Oregon and SW Washington. Reynolds Defense Firm also received the Law Firm 500 Award in 2016 and 2017 as one of the fastest growing 500 law firms in the nation. I’ve testified before the Oregon Legislature regarding DUI and Implied Consent License Suspension Laws. RDF is regularly mentioned in the Oregon State Bar Bulletin, Portland Business Journal, and other local and national publications.
