About Frank Hammond | Law Office of Frank Hammond

I have been practicing law for more than 37 years, and I have an extensive background in environmental law, land use permitting, administrative law, and land use advising and litigation.

Born in Spokane, Washington, and growing up in Portland, Oregon, I have always been surrounded by the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest. I've always wanted to help people deal with and understand complex situations. I was a top-tier debater in high school and college, so I assumed that I would like litigation.

My goal is to use my experience to help my clients understand the impacts of environmental law and to devise innovative solutions that strike at the heart of my clients' issues and champion their unique goals.

Before founding Law Office of Frank Hammond, my legal career spanned both private and public entities. I first worked as an associate for two big law firms, a non-equity partner with a small firm, and an equity partner with a boutique law firm. I also served as a Staff Attorney at the Oregon Supreme Court.

More recently, I served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Oregon Department of Justice practicing in the Special Litigation Unit. My energies focused almost entirely on administrative litigation dealing with environmental issues. I have also been County Counsel for Jackson County where I worked closely with land use issues.

Now, I often work to defend private clients from overreach by the Department of Environmental Quality and the EPA. I have also worked extensively with the solid and hazardous waste industries.

Beyond my professional background in environmental law, I am a founding member of Court Support a program that supports lower-income families who must appear in court and need child care. I have taught numerous CLEs on land use, environmental, and solid waste law, and I am an avid reader and fly fisher.

Since leaving the Oregon Department of Justice in 2019, I have pursued client work with environmental law and litigation. I have done a lot of work with the Oregon Clean Water Act, including litigation of the state’s TMDls for temperature.

My experience also includes solid waste franchising and issues concerning The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the state cleanup law. I’m no stranger to wetland fill permitting and litigation.

I have taken on cases under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, represented the Oregon Water Resources Department in several pieces of litigation, and worked on the seminal Supreme Court case Dolan v. City of Tigard.

Specifically, I spearheaded the effort to remove the derelict Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue River in 2010. Due to the success of this project, salmon and steelhead runs have improved.

I also have experience with land development and land use issues, both in Jackson County and in private practice. I have represented many developers with issues including subdivisions and planned unit developments (PUDs), and I have special experience in the expansion and siting of landfills and other solid waste facilities.

I have litigated in Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) numerous times, and I represented the Department of Land Conservation & Development (DLCD) in several litigation cases when I worked for the state.

As a highly experienced attorney, I have handled lots of litigation and I understand that it is a stressful experience. Since I have also done a lot of permitting, I can relate to my client's experience of having a project on the line.

When it comes to my clients, I understand every case is unique. I aim to bring the following to each case I handle.

Passion: I am driven by the pursuit of justice—not just for my Portland clients, but for the environment as well.
Innovation: I stay up to date with new legal developments in the field so I can provide the most informed advice and representation.
Versatility: My services cover a broad spectrum of environmental law issues, from land use disputes and water rights issues to regulatory compliance and environmental impact assessments. I am here to represent you and safeguard your interests.

What truly sets our firm apart is our unwavering commitment to preserving our natural resources. I believe in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, and this principle guides my approach to every case I handle.

Please look around the website and contact me if I can help you with your case.

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Insightful Counsel, Sustainable Solutions

Frank Hammond

Attorney at Law

I am the owner of Law Office of Frank Hammond based in Portland, Oregon.

Your goals are my goals. Let me put my experience to work for you.

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