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 Oregon Court of Appeals, Oregon Supreme Court, and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. 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.
Representative Experience
Appellate
Greenwood Products, Inc. v. Greenwood Forest Products, Inc.
Obtained affirmance in the Oregon Supreme Court of trial court ruling denying directed verdict motions in a complex commercial dispute, reversing the Court of Appeals decision. 351 Or. 604, 273 P.3d 116 (Or. 2012)
Waldron v. U.S. Bank National Association
Successfully defended appeal of trial court attorney fee ruling on wage and hour claim (Or. Ct. of Appeals 2011)
Barnes v. GE Security, Inc., et al.
Obtained Ninth Circuit affirmance of summary judgment dismissing claims for workers’ compensation retaliation and disability discrimination. 342 Fed. Appx. 259, 2009 WL 1974770 (2009)
National cable provider v. City of Eugene
Successfully represented plaintiff in obtaining reversal of summary judgment in Oregon Court of Appeals and the Oregon Supreme Court. 211 Or. App. 573, 155 P.3d 99 (2007), affirmed at 346 Or. 238, 209 P.3d 800 (Or. 2009)
Breach of contract claim for national retailer
Obtained 9th Circuit affirmance of employee claims for breach of contract claim, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. (2008)
Gafur v. Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center
Successfully represented health system before the Oregon Supreme Court in action seeking wages and penalties for allegedly missed rest and meal periods under Oregon law. Court of Appeals held that employees have no cause for action for missed meal breaks. 213 Or. App. 343. Oregon Supreme Court affirmed and further held that employees have no cause of action for missed rest breaks. 344 Or. 525 (2008)
Lussier v. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
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)
Johnson v. HarperCollins Publishers, LLC
Obtained dismissal of right of publicity/misappropriation claims in federal district court and affirmance on appeal to the 9th Circuit. (9th Cir. 2007)
PGF Care Center, Inc. v. Wolfe
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)
Litigation
Food distributor representation
Defending food importer and distributor against claims in multiple jurisdictions arising from Salmonella outbreak. (Ongoing)
Stork v. Northwest Trustee Services, Inc., et al
Obtained judgment on the pleadings dismissing with prejudice plaintiff’s claim challenging non-judicial foreclosures as wrongful. Also defeated the plaintiff’s motion to remand the case to state court. 2012 WL 464220 (D. Or. 2012)
Davis v. Flagstar Bank, FSB
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)
Marshall and Associates v. Infor Global Solutions (Michigan)
Represented large software company in breach of contract dispute relating to product royalties and product maintenance fees. (2011)
Barinaga v. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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)
Berntsen v. Dollar Tree Stores
Achieved defense verdict in jury trial alleging quid pro quo sexual harassment. (D. Or. 2007)
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Media
TV station and news website representation for Meredith Corp. (KPTV)
Representation of television station and news website including pre-broadcast review and defense of defamation and privacy claims. (2011)
Newspaper representation
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)
Newspaper representation
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)
Doe v. TS
Successfully defended newspaper against subpoena under Oregon's media shield law. (2008)
Juvrud v. Meredith Corp.
Defended defamation claim brought against a television station arising out of a news broadcast. (2007)