Nels J. Vulin
Nels is an accomplished lawyer and counselor, with over a decade of experience in construction law. He frequently represents owners of residential (single and multifamily) projects, commercial developers, non-profits, contractors, and design professionals in both transactional construction matters and litigation.
Nels’ primarily practices in the area of construction defect litigation, throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has successfully recovered more than $13 million on behalf of his clients.
Born and raised in Northeast Portland, Nels opened Vulin Law LLC in 2020 with a vision of a law firm that better served the needs of families and businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Prior to founding the firm, Nels was an attorney with a leading construction law firm, where he represented owners, contractors, and HOA’s in all facets of litigation. He was named to the Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Stars List from 2017—2022, and is listed in the 2021 and 2022 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Nels is a member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and is an Associate Fellow with the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He is licensed to practice in all Oregon courts.
EDUCATION
J.D., 2012
Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina
B.A., Government (magna cum laude), 2009
Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
ADMISSIONS
Oregon
Washington
HONORS
The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and 2022 Editions
Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2017-2022
Robert W. Wilkinson
Robert Wilkinson is a trial attorney with a broad practice in construction law. This includes over 21 years of experience handling construction disputes, including construction defect and property damage claims. He has successfully represented the owners of condominiums, townhomes, apartments, hotels, retirement centers, and commercial buildings in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. Mr. Wilkinson has successfully represented many individual residential homeowners grappling with construction problems at their homes in lawsuits against developers, general contractors, and subcontractors.
In addition to construction defect and property damage claims, Mr. Wilkinson drafts and negotiates construction and design contracts, and handles disputes that may arise during the course of construction. Mr. Wilkinson has extensive experience working for school districts in Oregon embarking on construction and rehabilitation work. Additionally, Mr. Wilkinson has co-authored the Oregon School Construction Contract Manual for Oregon School Board Association.
Mr. Wilkinson has authored articles on construction law; and is a frequent speaker at continuing education seminars and organization meetings. He acts as an arbitrator and mediator with the Arbitration Service of Portland. He is a member of the Construction Section of the American Bar Association, the Inns of Court, the Construction Section of the Oregon State Bar, and the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, where he serves on the Publication Committee. He is also a member of Community Association Institute’s Education Committee. Mr. Wilkinson devotes volunteer time to Legal Aid Services of Oregon, representing victims of domestic violence in contested restraining order hearings.
Mr. Wilkinson worked as a federal law clerk in Portland, Oregon, and then for over 21 years at the Ball Janik law firm. Before law school, Mr. Wilkinson spent over two years in the Peace Corps in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, West Africa, where he coordinated well-digging projects. He also spent time in New Mexico with an organization providing residential services to at-risk youth impacted by gang activity. Mr. Wilkinson resides in Portland with his wife, three children, and assorted pets.
EDUCATION
J.D., 1999
University of Oregon School of Law, Eugene, Oregon
Articles Editor, Oregon Law Review
B.A., American History
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
ADMISSIONS
Oregon
Washington
Utah and Idaho (inactive status)
HONORS
The Best Lawyers in America list since 2018
Oregon Super Lawyers list, 2015-2022/2023
2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
2005 Pro Bono Award of Merit, Multnomah Bar Association
PAST EVENTS
“Construction problems and solutions: Tips on prevention and treatment for the property owner and manager”, Multifamily NW Spectrum Conference, September 15th, 2022
“Ongoing Maintenance/Repairs & Construction/Getting your Money Back”, Multifamily NW Maintenance Conference, May 12th, 2022
“Laying the Foundation for a Successful Construction Project”, Oregon School Board Association, April 2022
“Top 10 Things School Attorneys Should Know About Public Contracting” Council of School Attorneys, November 2021
“Working With Experts” Multnomah Bar Association, October 2021
“When You Suspect Failures in Construction or Repairs” Multifamily NW Spectrum Conference, September 2021
CAI OR: COVID-19 & Your Community, April 2021
Recurring Maintenance Costs May Mean Defective Construction, Oregon Association of School Business Officials, April 2021
Recurring Maintenance Costs May Mean Defective Construction, Oregon Association of School Business Officials, November 2020
Bonds, Ballots, and Buildings, Oregon School Boards Association, February 2020
PUBLICATIONS
“OP-ED: Tips to Help Avoid Costly Construction Problems”, the Daily Journal of Commerce, September 2022
“How COVID Could Worsen the U.S. Construction Defect Crisis”, Law360, June 2021
“Construction Defects” Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Magazine, Spring 2021
“Contested Restraining Order Hearings” Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Magazine, Spring 2020