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Raymond F. Thomas

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Ray was admitted to the bar in 1979 and is a member of the bars of the Oregon State and Federal courts. He obtained his J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1979.

Before going to law school, Ray worked as a private investigator and in a variety of manual trades including equipment operator, welder’s apprentice, janitor and crew supervisor. Ray has focused his practice on injury cases including personal injury and product liability. He has presented educational seminars on insurance and personal injury topics, and has organised and presented seminars for Oregon and national gatherings of attorneys. He is a regular commentator on pedestrian and bicycle law and safety.

His past positions include two years on the board of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, two years on the board of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), membership on the BTA Legislative Committee, and seven years as chair of the National Lawyers Guild Litigation Committee.

He started a series of free legal clinics for bicycle riders in 1994, and gives regular bike and pedestrian law and safety presentations. His book Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists is now in its 8th edition, and he is the author of Oregon Pedestrian Rights: A Legal Guide for Persons on Foot (2007).

He loves to row and race his bike up hills. He and his law partner, Jim Coon, have led (these days they mostly follow) the Monday/Thursday Noontime Lawyers Bike Rides since 1991. Ray has four children and is active in Oregon’s bicycle, traffic, and work safety communities as an activist, commentator, and speaker. Ray is recognized for excellence in his work in the 2024 Oregon Super Lawyers for Plaintiff Personal Injury and Forbes 2024 Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Portland, Oregon.

Practice area focus: Personal Injury, Bicycle Law, Construction Accidents, Product Liability, Wrongful Death, Legal Malpractice.

Ray has been
Recognized by
  • SuperLawyers
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  • 2017 AV Preeminent - Martindale-Hubbell
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Ray's Posts

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Lawsuit Phobia

  As a general rule, I do not choose to preach about the benefits that lawsuits serve for the greater good in society. This is…

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New Law Creates Crime of Vehicular Assault of Bicyclists

This year marks 30 years since passage of the historic Oregon Bicycle Bill. Since that time, Oregon's Legislature has done a good job representing the…

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Bicyclist Bill of Rights

  Bicycle riders are granted an important right to travel upon Oregon's roads from the "Bicyclist Bill of Rights" contained in ORS 814.430. This law…

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Definitions Make a Difference

  One of the more satisfying parts of being a bike lawyer is helping bicyclists who are their own advocates. Frequently, riders who are bumped…

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Long Term Disability And The ERISA Law

Denial of Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Benefits (ERISA and Non-ERISA) We handle claims by individuals for non-payment and termination of payment for short-term and long-term…

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Bicycle Heckling

  Heckle: to try to confuse or annoy with taunts, questions, etc.  Last week I passed a milestone of sorts: my first heckling. During a…

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