Atty. David S. Matheson

Atty. David S. Matheson

David Matheson, a partner in the firm’s Business practice, brings value to clients by providing strategic and practical advice. He has more than 20 years of experience in counseling on corporate governance matters, raising capital through public and private equity and debt offerings, and acquiring and disposing of businesses and assets.

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Profile Summary

About David S. Matheson at a glance

David S. Matheson is a business, m&a, and securities attorney based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Perkins Coie LLP. Admitted to practice in Oregon, Oregon State Bar. Educated at University of California Los Angeles (J.D., 1991) and Stanford University (—). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Portland (OR) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2026). Serands clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • David Matheson, a partner in the firm’s Business practice, brings value to clients by providing strategic and practical advice
  • He has more than 20 years of experience in counseling on corporate governance matters, raising capital through public and private equity and debt offerings, and acquiring and disposing of businesses and assets
  • David advises domestic and foreign public companies — including controlled companies and master limited partnerships — on their SEC and securities exchange reporting obligations, and assists boards of directors and management in fulfilling their fiduciary duties
  • Industries in which David's clients are involved include transportation, manufacturing, technology, retail and energy
  • Representative of David's experience is his leadership of three IPOs and co-leading one IPO filing since 2005
  • He has assisted clients in raising billions of dollars through public offerings of common, preferred and debt securities, shelf offerings, PIPE and Rule 144A transactions, and private placements
  • David has provided buy-side and sell-side representation for private and public companies in small and multibillion dollar mergers and stock and asset transactions, and he represents Seaspan Corporation in its containership joint venture with an affiliate of global asset manager The Carlyle Group
  • Chambers USA and other legal rating services recognize David as a leading attorney in corporate, capital markets, securities and M&A matters, Chambers USA describes David as "renowned for his experience and knowledge of capital markets and public companies" and quotes a client as stating, “Unflappable under pressure, [David] cuts through to the issue and works with the client to find a solution that both sides can embrace.”

Practice Areas Explained

David S. Matheson's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David S. Matheson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

David S. Matheson is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Oregon →

Mergers & Acquisitions

David S. Matheson is one of 49,731 m&a attorneys indexed nationally. Browse m&a attorneys in Oregon →

Securities Law

David S. Matheson is one of 64,529 securities attorneys indexed nationally. Browse securities attorneys in Oregon →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Oregon

Practicing law in Oregon. Legal matters in Oregon are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Oregon state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Oregon brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Oregon courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about David S. Matheson

Where is David S. Matheson's law office located?
David S. Matheson's law practice is located in Portland, Oregon. The firm is Perkins Coie LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David S. Matheson handle?
David S. Matheson focuses on business, m&a, securities. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Oregon.
Where did David S. Matheson go to law school?
David S. Matheson earned their education at (J.D., 1991); (—).
How can I contact David S. Matheson for a consultation?
You can contact David S. Matheson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David S. Matheson received?
David S. Matheson's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Portland (OR); Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Best Lawyers in America — Securities / Capital Markets Law; Best Lawyers in America — Securities Regulation.

Education

J.D.
University of California Los Angeles
- 1991
Stanford University
- In Progress

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Portland (OR)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Securities / Capital Markets Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Securities Regulation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mining Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Legal 500 United States, "Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts," 2008 - 2009
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Oregon Law & Politics, "Oregon Super Lawyers," 2006 - present
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Ranked by Chambers USA, as “America’s Leading Business Lawyers," 2005 - present
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Law, Portland (OR)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Securities Regulation, Portland (OR)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Securities / Capital Markets Law, Portland (OR)
- 2020
Lawyer of the Year — Securities Regulation, Portland (OR)
- 2019
Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Law, Portland (OR)
- 2018
Lawyer of the Year — Securities Regulation, Portland (OR)
- 2016

Bar Admissions

Oregon, Oregon State Bar

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