Snell & Wilmer Names Clifford S. Davidson Managing Partner of Its Portland Office

PORTLAND – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that partner Clifford S. Davidson has been named managing partner of the firm's Portland office effective January 1, 2024. 

Snell & Wilmer attorneys have worked with clients in the Pacific Northwest for many years. To strengthen the firm’s commitment to Oregon and the broader region, Snell & Wilmer opened its Portland office in January 2020. The office has grown and since moved twice, now located in the Moda Tower downtown, to accommodate the office’s expanding team of experienced Oregon practitioners.  

Davidson has been instrumental in helping the firm to expand its presence in the Portland community. Davidson serves on the firm’s Expanded Executive Committee, is the Portland lead of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group, co-leads the firm’s LGBTQ+ affinity group, and is an active member of the firm’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

“We are delighted to have Cliff leading our Portland Office. He has an outstanding track record of providing excellent legal services for clients, giving back to the community, and fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment,” said Firm Chair Barbara J. Dawson. “We look forward to seeing further growth in Portland and the Pacific Northwest under his watch.” 

A graduate of Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School, Davidson is a commercial litigation and trial attorney. He focuses on commercial disputes; litigation and counseling relating to freedom of expression and defamation, including anti-SLAPP; advice and litigation concerning constitutional issues, particularly the First Amendment and Equal Protection Clause; noncompetition and nondisclosure; copyright and trademark; class action defense; and Oregon and federal RICO. Davidson has served as a sworn Special Assistant Attorney General to the State of Oregon for both litigation and investigations as well as acted as outside counsel to municipal government bodies. 

Davidson is widely recognized by leading publications such as The Best Lawyers in America® for his experience in commercial litigation and First Amendment law, and Super Lawyers®. This year, Davidson was awarded the firm’s COACH and Pro Bono Awards. In the community, he serves as an Oregon State Bar attorney fee arbitrator/mediator, sings in the Oregon Repertory Singers, and is a member of the District of Oregon pro bono panel. 

Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.