Jay K. Griffith

Jay K. Griffith, Environmental Attorney in Portland, Oregon

Over 20 years of legal practice · focused on Environmental and Litigation · 4.5/5 rating from 5 verified client reviews

Practicing environmental in Portland since 2006.

20+
Years practicing
4.5 ★
5 client reviews
10
Bar admissions

Are you Jay K. Griffith?

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Quick answer

Jay K. Griffith is a partner based in Portland, OR. The practice focuses on Environmental and Litigation. Jay has over 20 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5 client reviews.

Based in
Portland, OR
Experience
over 20 years
Known for
Environmental · Litigation
  • Handles Environmental and Litigation matters from Portland, OR.
  • Over 20 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with Peer Reviewed.

About Jay K. Griffith: Jay K. Griffith is a partner based in Portland, OR. The practice focuses on Environmental and Litigation. Jay has over 20 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5 client reviews.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Jay takes on

Jay concentrates on environmental and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Jay handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Environmental cases in Portland, Oregon

Jay takes environmental matters in Portland, Oregon. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jay agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Portland, Oregon

Jay takes litigation matters in Portland, Oregon. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jay agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Jay K. Griffith — environmental lawyer in Portland

Jay K. Griffith is a partner based in Portland, OR. The practice focuses on Environmental and Litigation. Jay has over 20 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5 client reviews.

Jay Griffith is a partner at Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P. where his practice centers on complex litigation, including Superfund litigation, state-law cleanup and allocation matters, and insurance coverage disputes. He also advises clients on a wide range of corporate and transactional matters, with a focus on mid-market mergers and acquisitions.

Jay joined the firm in 2016 after serving as in-house counsel for a large international steel manufacturer. There, he developed deep experience in CERCLA practice, managed high-stakes environmental insurance coverage claims, and led several corporate finance and M&A transactions.

With a strong foundation in environmental compliance and a strategic understanding of the business drivers behind acquisitions and divestitures, Jay plays a critical role in helping clients navigate complex transactions. He regularly leads M&A deals, including for multi-generational family businesses, and is known for his practical, solutions-oriented approach to transaction planning and execution. His work often involves managing deals with complicated environmental issues, multiple buyers, and significant operational upgrades.

Jay’s combined experience in litigation and transactional law gives him a unique perspective on risk, negotiation, and resolution, aligning legal strategy with his clients’ broader business objectives.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Politics from Willamette College and earned his J.D. from the Lewis and Clark School of Law, where he also completed a certificate in environmental law.

A Northwest native, Jay returned to Portland after practicing in-house in Chicago. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family—hiking, biking, skiing, camping, and tackling home improvement projects.

How Jay handles environmental matters

Jay Griffith is a partner at Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P. where his practice centers on complex litigation, including Superfund litigation, state-law cleanup and allocation matters, and insurance coverage disputes. He also advises clients on a wide range of corporate and transactional matters, with a focus on mid-market mergers and acquisitions. Jay joined the firm in 2016 after serving as…

The kind of cases Jay takes

Jay reviews new inquiries case-by-case for environmental and litigation matters in Portland and the surrounding Oregon area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • Lewis & Clark Law School

    J.D. · 2005

  • Willamette University

    B.S. · 2001

Jurisdictions

Jay's state bar admissions

  • Arizona

    2025 · ACTIVE

  • Arizona

    2025 · ACTIVE

  • Montana

    2025 · ACTIVE

  • Montana

    2025 · ACTIVE

  • Illinois

    2013 · ACTIVE

  • Illinois

    2013 · ACTIVE

  • Washington

    2010 · ACTIVE

  • Washington

    2010 · ACTIVE

  • Oregon

    2006 · ACTIVE

  • Oregon

    2006 · ACTIVE

Jay studied at J.D. in Lewis & Clark Law School and B.S. in Willamette University.

Law school and academic background

Jay completed J.D. in Lewis & Clark Law School and B.S. in Willamette University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Jay runs in Oregon is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Jay has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Peer Reviewed

Legal awards and honors

Peer Reviewed.

Affiliations

Jay's professional memberships and bar associations

  • Oregon State Bar Washington State Bar Association Illinois State Bar Association State Bar of Montana State Bar of Arizona

    membership

Locations

Jay K. Griffith's office in Portland

Jay's primary office is at The Pacific Building, 520 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 600, Portland, OR, 97204-1329. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.

The Pacific Building, 520 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 600

Portland, OR 97204-1329

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Jay K. Griffith — 4.5/5 rating from 5 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Jay. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing environmental attorneys in Portland.

4.5

5 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Jay K. Griffith claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Jay K. Griffith — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new environmental attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Jay usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Jay charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Jay's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Jay will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a environmental attorney in Portland, Oregon

A short list to run through before you commit: How many environmental matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Jay

Jay discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in environmental practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every environmental matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Jay confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Jay's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many environmental practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Jay K. Griffith

  • How much does it cost to hire Jay for a environmental case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Jay walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Jay offer a free consultation?

    Jay charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Jay's office. Some environmental attorneys offer free consults — check Jay's current terms during booking.

  • How long do environmental cases in Oregon typically take?

    Simple environmental matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Jay gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Jay take my case if I'm outside Portland?

    Jay is licensed in Oregon. Matters governed by Oregon law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Jay will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Jay?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Jay will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Jay accepting new environmental clients right now?

    Jay's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Environmental attorneys serving Portland, Salem and Eugene in Oregon

Jay handles environmental matters throughout Oregon. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified environmental attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Jay's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these environmental attorneys in Portland handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.