Peter Koehler's experience includes 20 years as a trial lawyer in private practice, 12 years as corporate counsel for NIKE, Inc., and more than 6 years as a full-time neutral.  Since opening Koehler ADR, LLC in February 2015, he has mediated or arbitrated numerous cases involving, for example, actions arising out of sports marketing endorsement and/or management relationships, breach of a trademark licensing agreement, breach of a timberland acquisition contract, a dispute between two non-profits regarding leased space, a  claim by a prisoner for violation of his civil rights, a dispute between competing bidders for the right to operate hotel property, claims arising out of dissolution in a family agri-business, contractual disputes in professional service industries, termination of a shareholder-CEO of a closely held business, and securities claims.  In 2020, Oregon Governor Kate Brown appointed Mr. Koehler to serve as a mediator between timber and environmental interests with a goal of re-crafting Oregon's forest practices laws and regulations to achieve sustainable balance between a thriving forest practices economy and fish habitat conservation in Oregon's streams (see https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=63283). Mr. Koehler's work resulted in an historic agreement among the parties in October 2021. Mr. Koehler has also served as a consultant/mediator to professional firms to assist with strategic planning, organizational health and succession. Finally, Mr. Koehler has assisted private parties, businesses and governmental entities in the negotiation of commercial transactions.  Prior to his work as a neutral, he took dozens of cases to verdict in jury trials, bench trials and arbitration, mostly in complex commercial and sports business disputes.  He has vast experience in US and international arbitration and mediation of commercial and sports issues. 

Peter Koehler is a member of the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association and a panel member of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR).  He has successfully completed the AAA's extensive mediation and arbitration training programs.  He is also a panel member of the Arbitration Service of Portland.
Experience

NIKE, INC., Beaverton, Oregon (2003-2014): 
Held the positions of US General Counsel; Global Counsel for Brand and Litigation; and finally Legal Vice-President responsible for managing the global Legal Department.
TONKON TORP, LLP, Portland, Oregon (1987-2002): 
Litigation partner, and Managing Partner of the firm (1997-2001).  Trial practice focused on complex civil business, sports industry and tort litigation.
MACDONALD HOAGUE & BAYLESS, Seattle, Washington (1982-1987): 
Litigation associate focused on plaintiffs’ civil rights, employment and personal injury litigation.
Education
  • Boalt Hall School of Law (University of California at Berkeley), JD 1982
  • Stanford University, BA 1978, Graduation with Distinction

Community
  • Director and Vice-Chair, The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation (2015 - present)
  • Board of Directors, Oregon Environmental Council (2018-present)
  • Board of Directors and past Chair, Classroom Law Project (2010 – present)
  • Board of Directors and President, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2005-2020)
  • Board of Directors and Chair, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (1996-2005)
  • Board of Directors and Chair, Volunteer Lawyers Project (1988-1993)
  • Board of Directors and Chair, Artists Repertory Theatre (1988-1998)
  • Board of Directors and Chair, Multnomah County Legal Services for the Poor Committee (1989-1992)
  • Board Member, Oregon Business Association (2000-2002)
Representative Cases 

Strong and diverse commercial litigation background, with emphasis on general business disputes, sports law disputes, international commercial disputes, internal investigations, and intellectual property and employment litigation.

Examples Include: 
  • Multiple cases between Nike and its competitors over the publicity rights of certain athletes;

  • Multiple cases between Nike and its endorsing athletes over various contract rights;

  • Class action defenses regarding compliance with digital texting regulations, product advertising, and racial discrimination;

  • Legal malpractice claim over an adverse $52M verdict in an international licensing dispute;

  • Defense of wrongful termination claim by former CEO of a hockey equipment company;

  • Arbitration between a UK-based sportswear manufacturer and its terminated exclusive licensee and distributor for the certain European territories over claims of wrongful termination of the license

  • Arbitration for breach of contract, tortious interference and misrepresentation regarding an asserted telecommunications contract;

  • Representation of three individuals in securities claim against publicly-traded technology company, regarding misrepresentations in the purchase and sale of a division of the company;

  • Representation of numerous parties in injunction actions involving covenants-not-to-compete, trade secrets, intellectual property infringement;

  • Multiple cases involving patent, trademark and copyright
  • Litigation between a metropolitan art museum and descendants of WWII German Jewish exiles over the provenance of certain art pieces held by the museum;

  • Numerous international internal investigations.