Atty. Dayna E. Underhill
EXPERIENCED, STRATEGIC, RESPECTED, COMMITTED An experienced legal ethics practitioner and commercial and employment litigator, I focus my practice on the provision of legal and government ethics and risk management advice to lawyers, law firms, corporate in-house counsel, government attorneys, elected officials and political parties. I defend, advise, and serve as an expert on all aspects of the law governing lawyers and government officials including the defense of state bar and government ethics complaints, law firm formation, organization, management and dissolution, conflicts of interest,
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law & More Attorney · Serving Portland, OR · 34+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Dayna E. Underhill at a Glance
Dayna E. Underhill is a employment and litigation attorney based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Underhill Law Office. They have 34+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1992. Admitted to practice in Oregon (1992) and Washington (1996). Educated at Suffolk University (—, 1992). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serves clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Dayna E. Underhill
- EXPERIENCED, STRATEGIC, RESPECTED, COMMITTED An experienced legal ethics practitioner and commercial and employment litigator, I focus my practice on the provision of legal and government ethics and risk management advice to lawyers, law firms, corporate in-house counsel, government attorneys, elected officials and political parties
- I defend, advise, and serve as an expert on all aspects of the law governing lawyers and government officials including the defense of state bar and government ethics complaints, law firm formation, organization, management and dissolution, conflicts of interest, attorney-client privilege, lawyer mobility and lateral hiring, multi-jurisdictional practice, and use of social media
- My employment counsel experience allows me to advise lawyers regarding the unique interplay between their ethical obligations and their obligations as an employer
- I am a regular local, regional, and national legal ethics speaker and author and am active in both professional and community activities
- I have served on the Oregon State Bar House of Delegates, the Oregon State Bar Legal Ethics Committee, the Multnomah Bar Association Professionalism Committee, and the Washington State Bar Disciplinary Advisory Roundtable
- I have also served in the community on the Board of Trustees for the Oregon Law Institute, the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Northwest Academy where I currently serve as Board Vice-Chair and Chair of Risk Management
- I am a committed pro bono advocate who has provided 50+ hours of pro bono service every year for over a decade throughout Oregon and Washington
Practice Areas Explained
Dayna E. Underhill's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Dayna E. Underhill handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Portland.
Employment Law in Portland
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Dayna E. Underhill is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Oregon →
Civil Litigation in Portland
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Dayna E. Underhill is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Oregon →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Portland
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 venue, 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.
Portland Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Portland-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Portland Choose Dayna E. Underhill
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Dayna E. Underhill's practice in the field of employment and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Dayna E. Underhill brings 34+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Oregon and Washington, Dayna E. Underhill can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering employment and litigation, Dayna E. Underhill can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Portland
A Portland-based practice means Dayna E. Underhill attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Dayna E. Underhill Handles in Portland
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Dayna E. Underhill has experience with under Oregon law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Dayna E. Underhill directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Dayna E. Underhill's Practice Areas & Specializations
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