
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
PartneratKell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Portland, OR
Practicing environmental in Portland since 2006.
- 20+
- Years practicing
- 4.5 ★
- 5 client reviews
- 10
- Bar admissions
Practices in
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.
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
The Pacific Building, 520 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204-1329
Open in Google MapsClient 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 reviewsHiring 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
Other top-rated environmental attorneys in Oregon
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.





