Admitted to Practice | Oregon, 2002 | | U.S. District Court District of Oregon | | U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit |
| Kevin Kono advocates for clients in a broad range of commercial and complex litigation matters. He also serves clients through the appellate process, and has argued before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Oregon Court of Appeals, and Oregon Supreme Court. Kevin also advises broadcasters and newspapers on media access, privacy torts and other content-related issues, and defends media clients against defamation, invasion of privacy, and other similar claims. Selected Experience Obtained dismissal on a motion to dismiss action for quiet title declaratory relief in response to a foreclosure action in case involving novel issues relating to interplay of action on one promissory note and foreclosure of another. 2011 WL 3471509 (D. Or. 2011) Represented large software company in breach of contract dispute relating to product royalties and product maintenance fees. (2011) Representation of television station and news website including pre-broadcast review and defense of defamation and privacy claims. (2011) Obtained affirmance without opinion in the Oregon Court of Appeals trial court attorney fee ruling. (2011) Defended Chase in an action alleging fraud, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and unfair trade practices, based on denial of a permanent loan modification. Obtained dismissal of all but one limited claim. 749 F. Supp. 2d 1164, 2010 WL 4338326 (D. Or. 2010) Defended newspaper client against claims for defamation, false light, breach of contract, fraud, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Obtained settlement of less than one percent of the prayer for relief. (2010) Obtained Ninth Circuit affirmance of summary judgment dismissing claims for workers’ compensation retaliation and disability discrimination. 342 Fed. Appx. 259, 2009 WL 1974770 (2009) Defended newspaper client against claims for defamation and intentional interference with economic relations and obtained dismissal via an anti-SLAPP motion, including an award of attorney fees. (2009) Obtained 9th Circuit affirmance of employee claims for breach of contract claim, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. (2008) Successfully defended newspaper against subpoena under Oregon's media shield law. (2008) Obtained affirmance by the 9th Circuit of denial of attorney fees after remand following removal under the Class Action Fairness Act. 513 F.3d 1062 (9th Cir. 2008) Obtained dismissal of right of publicity/misappropriation claims in federal district court and affirmance on appeal to the 9th Circuit. (9th Cir. 2007) Defended defamation claim brought against a television station arising out of a news broadcast. (2007) Obtained reversal in the Oregon Court of Appeals of grant of summary judgment on a claim for specific performance of a lease-option to purchase commercial real estate. 208 Or. App. 145, 144 P.3d 983 (Or. App. 2006) Additional Qualifications Professional and Community Activities
- Board Member, Oregon Law School Alumni Association, 2010-present
- Treasurer, Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2009-2011
- Member, 2002-present; Member, Multnomah County Bar Association Professionalism Committee, 2009-present – Multnomah County Bar Association
- Defense Counsel Section, Media Law Resource Center
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Professional Recognition
- Selected to "Oregon Rising Stars" in Appellate and First Amendment/Media/Advertising, Law & Politics, 2009, 2011, selected in Civil Litigation Defense, 2010-2011
- Convocation on Equality “Champion,” 2011
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Education J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2002
- Order of the Coif
- Executive Editor, Oregon Law Review
- Tesdahl Award for Best Brief
- Maxine F. Lee Award for Editorial Excellence
B.A., Psychology, Spanish, Minor in Business Administration, University of Oregon, 1991, summa cum laude
- Departmental honors in Psychology
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