William A. Barton

Infobox Person
name= William A. Barton


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residence = Newport, Oregon
nationality = USA American
education = Pacific University
Willamette Law
occupation = attorney, author
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William (Bill) A. Barton is an American attorney in the state of Oregon. A personal injury lawyer and author, [http://www.legalspan.com/catalog2/faculty.asp?UserID=20031119729133105043%20%20%20%20%20%20&OwnerColor=%23660033 William A. Barton.] Legalspan. Retrieved on February 21 2008.] he successfully argued to allow litigation to proceed against the Vatican in the priest sex scandal, despite sovereign immunity that is normally applicable to foreign governments. ["Doe v. Holy See", 434 F.Supp.2d 925 (2006)] This is the first time courts in the United States have allowed the Vatican to be sued.

Education

Bill Barton graduated from Pacific University, in Forest Grove, Oregon, with a Bachelor of Science in 1969. He went on to law school in Salem, Oregon at Willamette University College of Law, graduating with a JD in 1972.

Barton is a member of the Oregon Law Institute's faculty. [http://www.lclark.edu/org/oli/objects/2005_ADR.pdf Mediation and Arbitration in Oregon, 2005.] Oregon Law Institute. Retrieved on February 21 2008.] The OLI, at Lewis & Clark College’s law school in Portland, is a continuing legal education (CLE) center. [http://www.lclark.edu/org/oli/objects/2006_Trial.pdf Litigation Strategies and Tips.] Oregon Law Institute. Retrieved on February 21 2008.] Barton also teaches several legal courses for The Professional Education Group including, The Art of the Courtroom, Advanced Jury Selection, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. [http://www.proedgroup.com/fac/barton.cfm William A. Barton.] Professional Education Group. Retrieved on February 21 2008.]

Professional

With his law firm's office in Newport, Oregon, [http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1968366_1?channel=CCC William A. Barton.] West Legal Directory. Retrieved on February 21 2008.] Barton is listed in three categories of the Best Lawyers in America: Medical Malpractice Law, Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury Litigation. [http://www.bestlawyers.com/search/results.asp?act=reg&state=OR&last_name=barton William Barton.] Best Lawyers. Retrieved on May 1 2007.] William Barton is a past president of the Oregon Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, past governor of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), a fellow in the International Society of Barristers, former president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers, fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a past president of the Western Trial Lawyers.

For several years Barton has represented one plaintiff against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland and the Rev. Maurice Grammond for claims of child molestation. The 135 million dollar lawsuit helped prompt the diocese to file for bankruptcy in 2004, and delayed the case until 2006. [Green, Ashbel. 85 plaintiffs seek federal trial against archdiocese. "The Oregonian", April 18 2006.] Previously, Barton won cases in Oregon against the Children's Farm Home in Corvallis, and the Oregon Trail Council and the Boy Scouts of America on sex abuse claims. [Duin, Steve. The threat is closer than you think. "The Oregonian", September 19 1999.] In 1994, he served as mediator in a civil settlement between former Oregon governor Neil Goldschmidt and his sex-abuse victim. [Jaquiss, Nigel. [http://wweek.com/story.php?story=5833 Who Knew.] "Willamette Week", December 15 2004. Retrieved on February 21 2008.]

In 2005, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association named Barton as Distinguished Trial Lawyer. [http://www.bartonstrever.com/SidebarJuly2005.pdf Sidebar.] Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, July 2005. Retrieved on February 21 2008.] The partner at Barton & Strever, PC in Newport was named to the Super Lawyers Top 50 for Oregon based on research of "Law & Politics" magazine for 2006. [WUCL Alumni Named Oregon Super Lawyers. "Willamette Lawyer", Fall 2007, p. 30.] He is the author of "Recovering for Psychological Injuries", (ATLA Press, 1990.) and successfully sued the Rajneesh group. [1985 WL 651471, 1 Nat. J.V.R.A. 3:12]

References