Ashley Watkins Vulin

She/Her

Partner

I always say to my clients, "tell me what worries keep you up at night and let me help you solve those."

Ashley Vulin works with food, beverage, and agriculture companies to address the regulatory and litigation challenges that come with running a company in the dynamic nature of today's world. In addition to representing companies with traditional business litigation, Ashley has extensive expertise in:

Beverage Distribution (counseling and litigation related to distribution agreements and state franchise laws)
Food Safety (including counseling, recalls, consumer claims, and supply chain disputes)
Dairy Regulation (including the Federal Milk Marketing Order system)
Organic Certification (non-compliances, adverse actions, and appeals)
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act

Ashley's firsthand experience in her family-owned beverage business gives her a unique appreciation for business challenges, the importance of creative solutions, and the value of loyalty to one's brand and mission. Having focused on representing food and beverage clients from the outset of her career, Ashley is able to hit the ground running with her clients' matters.

Dairy, Organic, and Agriculture Regulatory Matters

Consulting counsel on regulatory compliance for food product companies

Consulting counsel for numerous agriculture or food product companies on FDA and USDA regulatory compliance, including organic certification, ingredients, labeling, and pricing. (Ongoing)

Regulatory promotion program management

Consultant to national beverage company, focusing on the development and regulatory approval of promotion programs for assorted consumer products. (Ongoing)

Organic Certification appeal

Representing multiple entities appealing denials of organic certification for livestock and crops operations. (Ongoing)

Agricultural goods contract breach

Representing national food company in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and breach of contract dispute with supplier. (C.D. Cal. 2021)

Federal Milk Marketing Order

Represented Dairy Institute of California in the promulgation of a California Milk Marketing Order, culminating in a two-month trial-like administrative rulemaking. (U.S. Dept. of Ag. 2018)

Food Safety Matters

Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London v. Food Design, Inc.

Lead attorney defending food equipment manufacturer against food safety claims that listeria was harbored in defendant's machines due to poor mechanical design. Obtained dismissal of all claims with successful summary judgment motion; currently up on appeal. (Or. Ct. App., Ongoing).

Consulting counsel on food safety for food product company

Consulting counsel for national Salmonella Virchow outbreak for food product company. (Ongoing)

Food safety counsel for distributor

Pre-litigation counsel for food distributor in supply chain for multi-state E. coli outbreak. (2019)

National trial counsel for restaurant chain

Trial counsel for restaurant chain involved in multi-state E. coli outbreak litigation. Claims voluntarily dismissed. (2017)

Food safety arbitration for restaurant

Defended restaurant in food safety case. Obtained favorable decision and full dismissal of claims in arbitration. (Multn. Cty. Cir. Ct. 2015)

Alcohol Beverage Distribution Matters

Counsel beverage companies on distribution agreements

Counsel suppliers and distributors on beverage distribution agreements. (Ongoing)

Wine distribution contract dispute

Defended wine supplier in termination of beverage distribution agreement, including Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law claims. Successfully defeated preliminary injunction motion and then obtained favorable settlement. (2021)

Beer distribution contract assignment dispute

Represented supplier defending a denial of assignment distribution contract under Oregon law, obtaining a full defense verdict plus award of attorneys' fees at arbitration. (JAMS 2021)

RM Beverage Delaware, LLC v. Forbidden Fruit Ciderhouse, LLC

Represented beverage distribution company in distribution agreement dispute with cider manufacturer. Obtained favorable settlement after the start of trial. (Multn. Cty Cir. Ct. 2016)

White Collar and Investigations

Internal investigation

Conducted internal investigation into potential violations of federal regulations and law. (2018)

Food safety lawsuit for food product company

Represented organic snacks manufacturer against supplier in lawsuit involving contaminated ingredients from supplier. Obtained favorable settlement. (Multn. Cty. Sup. Ct. 2014)

Department of Justice investigation defense

Represented regional bank in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. (2015)

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 2012
Oregon, 2014
Idaho, 2017
U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2012
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2013

Education

J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2012, cum laude
- Executive Board Member, Moot Court Board
- Managing Editor, Journal of Comparative and International Law
- Co-Chair, Coalition Against Gendered Violence
B.A., English, Political Economy, Georgetown University, 2008, cum laude

Memberships & Affiliations

- CourtCare Campaign Committee, Multnomah Bar Association, 2015-present
- University of North Carolina Women’s Center: Working Group on Sex Trafficking, 2009-2011
- Volunteer attorney for the Domestic Violence Revision Squad, assisting victims of domestic violence in obtaining orders of protection (restraining orders)

Professional Recognition

- Listed as "Up and Coming" by Chambers USA in Food & Beverages: Regulatory & Litigation (Nationwide), 2025
- Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2023-2025
- Selected to "Oregon Rising Stars," Thomson Reuters, 2017-present

Background

- Summer Associate, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle, 2011
- Extern, Hon. Justice Paul Newby, North Carolina Supreme Court, Raleigh, N.C., 2011
- Intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana, Missoula, Mont., 2010
- Intern, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Durham, N.C., 2009-2010