Atty. Dennis Steinman

Atty. Dennis Steinman

Dennis Steinman offers clients legal advocacy and counsel on numerous aspects of local, state and national employment law, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, employee grievances and arbitration, compensation, and employee handbooks and manuals. He works with employees who may have experienced unlawful discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace, including wage and hour violations, wrongful termination, and other difficulties.

Portland Portland 31 yrs experience 31 year
Call (503) 360-0554 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Dennis Steinman at a glance

Dennis Steinman is a employment attorney based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Kell, Alterman & Runstein LLP. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Admitted to practice in Oregon (1995). Educated at Lewis & Clark College (—, 1995). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law (2026). Serands clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Dennis Steinman offers clients legal advocacy and counsel on numerous aspects of local, state and national employment law, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, employee grievances and arbitration, compensation, and employee handbooks and manuals
  • He works with employees who may have experienced unlawful discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace, including wage and hour violations, wrongful termination, and other difficulties
  • He’s also one of Oregon’s best civil rights lawyers, and is widely recognized for his litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • When he started practicing, Dennis was the only Oregon lawyer fluent in American Sign Language
  • Dennis is a leading franchising and commercial lawyer, managing his practice with a broader perspective than many business lawyers
  • He was a franchise executive for nearly 20 years, and he also owned five franchises of his own, giving him experience in both sides of the business. “I’m one of few highly skilled franchise lawyers,” says Dennis, “and I’m certainly one of the very few—if any—who has been part of the franchise culture itself
  • Because of this, I can give my clients insights into every aspect of the franchise relationship—from both the legal and business perspectives.” Dennis uses his nuanced understanding of franchising to advocate on behalf of his clients while steering them through the finer points of franchise law that other lawyers often overlook
  • In addition, Dennis has been an adjunct professor of law at Lewis & Clark Law School, where he taught federal litigation
  • He’s also a former member of the board of directors for the Oregon Advocacy Center (presently known as Disability Rights Oregon), and has written several articles on and frequently speaks about the legal importance of the ADA and the Fair Housing Act
  • Raised in Manhattan, Dennis moved to Portland in 1976 to pursue a business opportunity in franchising
  • He attended Lewis & Clark Law School as a means of furthering his business expertise, but decided instead to open a private practice
  • He later joined Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P., impressed by the firm’s dedication to legal excellence, personal service, and community commitment
  • He enjoys a reputation as a zealous advocate of clients’ rights with a strong attention to detail
  • He’s also known for blending practicality into his practice, often exploring less divisive and expensive alternatives to litigation such as mediation or arbitration
  • In his off hours, Dennis is a travel enthusiast and dedicated food, wine, and music lover, and he often combines those pursuits while visiting Europe and other continents
  • Dennis also lived in Rome and for years explored the oceans of the world as an avid scuba diver

Practice Areas Explained

Dennis Steinman's Areas of Practice

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

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Dennis Steinman is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment 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 Dennis Steinman

Where is Dennis Steinman's law office located?
Dennis Steinman's law practice is located in Portland, Oregon. The firm is Kell, Alterman & Runstein LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Dennis Steinman handle?
Dennis Steinman focuses on employment. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Oregon.
How long has Dennis Steinman practiced law?
Dennis Steinman has 31+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1995.
Where did Dennis Steinman go to law school?
Dennis Steinman earned their education at (—, 1995).
How can I contact Dennis Steinman for a consultation?
You can contact Dennis Steinman 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 Dennis Steinman received?
Dennis Steinman's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law; Best Lawyers in America — Franchise Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment.

Practice Areas

Education

Lewis & Clark College
- 1995

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Franchise Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Oregon
Admitted: 1995

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