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Bill Barton - Trial Attorney

Bill Barton

Trial Attorney

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Biography Credentials

Bill is, by anyone’s description, one of the best plaintiff’s litigators in the country. He began his significant mark on the legal landscape by bringing the first suit against the Boy Scouts of America that did not settle out of court but went to trial—a landmark case that helped to break open the field of psychological injury. He went on to become the first attorney to sue the Vatican for sexual abuse by the clergy. Then he authored the book on psychological injury, sharing his knowledge and experience to the benefit of countless lawyers and their injured clients. He has practiced law for 45 years, continuing to try difficult and challenging cases, while remaining highly active in the professional community, serving on many boards, writing, and teaching. He has lectured on trial advocacy in 35 states and four countries, and testified as an expert witness in legal malpractice cases.

“I consider Bill to be one of the best, if not the best, trial attorney in the state of Oregon. And frankly that includes myself.”

—Bill Wheatley, Jacqua & Wheatley

A Legal Legacy That Changed the Law

“After 41 years and 500 jury trials, there are lessons and things I’ve learned. It’s incumbent upon me to put them to use.”

Bill made his first significant mark on the legal landscape by bringing the first lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America that did not quietly settle, but went the distance to trial:  a landmark case that helped break open the field of psychological injury and, in Oregon, led to a legislative amendment extending the statute of limitations for survivors of abuse. He went on to become the first attorney in the nation to sue the Vatican for sexual abuse by clergy.

He then did what no other trial lawyers had ever done: he literally wrote the book on psychological injury. Bill is the author of Recovering for Psychological Injuries, now in its 3rd edition), a text that has guided countless lawyers and their injured clients ever since. That same expertise is why he is regularly retained as an expert witness in legal-malpractice cases and why he has lectured on trial advocacy in 35 states and four countries.

Bill’s perspective is sharpened by an unusual arc: he began his career on the defense side before crossing over to represent the injured. Having sat at both counsel tables, he understands exactly how powerful interests defend themselves—and how to beat them. 

“I’m angered and motivated most by the indifference of powerful interests,” he says. “I’m going to work my hardest to present the best case to the jury to get a good financial result for my client, first and foremost. They deserve nothing less. But it’s also about creating positive change. A big verdict sends a message that changes public policy and prevents others from being hurt.”

Bill is a respected and admired adversary, receiving referrals from, and even being associated by, his past opponents. They say it’s because of his results, but also his commitment. “I’m angered and motivated most by the indifference of powerful interests,” he says. “I’m going to work my hardest to present the best case to the jury to get a good financial result for my client, first and foremost. They deserve nothing less. But it’s also about creating positive change. A big verdict sends a message that changes public policy and prevents others from being hurt.”

Bill and his wife, JoAnn, enjoy living on the Oregon Coast, escaping periodically to their downtown Portland condominium, and spending time with their adult children. He rides a custom-built chopper; supports myriad youth sports teams, schools, and scholarships, as well as nonprofits focused on kids, the environment, and the arts; and is the volunteer Life Coach to Portland State University’s men’s basketball team.

Bill Barton: A Legacy of Success

Pioneer of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Litigation 

Bill Barton may have tried as many sex cases as any lawyer in Oregon, and probably the nation. Moreover, he has successfully litigated claims of sexual exploitation against some of the most influential institutions of American society. He brought the first suit against the Boy Scouts of America that went to trial—a landmark case that helped to break open the field of psychological injury. He then become the first attorney to sue the Vatican for sexual abuse by the clergy.

Because of Bill’s repeated success in this field, his firm continues to take new cases and push for legislation that strengthens protections for vulnerable populations. He recently represented one of only two ordained priests in history who have come forward with claims of sexual abuse against the Roman Catholic Church. He continues to recover record-setting jury verdicts against perpetrators of sexual abuse.

Pioneer in Oregon Insurance Bad Faith – $20,000,000 verdict (Goddard)

In 2023 the Oregon Supreme Court formally recognized the concept of “first party bad faith” in which a policyholder could sue their own insurance company.  But, long before that Bill Barton pioneered the concept of insurance bad faith in Oregon in the case of Goddard v. Farmers Insurance.

Chosen by Oregon’s Most Respected Judge

When the Honorable Ed Levy, long regarded as one of the most popular and admired trial judges in Oregon, needed a lawyer of his own, he chose Bill Barton. Few endorsements in the profession carry more weight than being selected as personal counsel by the very kind of judge before whom every trial lawyer hopes to appear.

Doing The Right Thing, Even When No One Was Watching

Early in his career, Bill won a court-appointed murder defense in the case of Gary Allen Hetrick. When it came to light that the victim’s family could not afford to bring their loved one home, Bill quietly paid to transport the victim’s body to Mexico out of his own pocket. It is a story he rarely tells—but precisely the kind of decency that defines how he practices law.

These are only a few chapters of Bill Barton’s four-decade legacy. For a full range and scale of outcomes the firm has achieved, please visit Our Results and read what clients say on our Testimonials page.

Barton Injury Attorneys’ Philosophy

“There’s a moral dimension to why we do what we do. First, it’s to help people; second it’s to help make the world a better place.”

Bill founded Barton Trial Attorneys as a deliberate rejection of the mass-media, volume-driven model of personal-injury law. No other nationally recognized plaintiff’s firm devotes two trial attorneys and a full staff to 10 or fewer carefully selected cases at a time. That is by design. It is what allows the firm to keep its promise to continue to treated injured Oregonians as human beings, not case files. 

“We’re not money-grubbing lawyers,” Bill says. “We have a conscience, and we try to make the world a better and safer place.” You can read more about what drives the practice on our Core Values page and learn how the whole approach works on the About the Firm page.

Today Bill focuses on the cases where his experience makes the greatest difference: birth and baby injuries, medical malpractice, trucking and catastrophic injury, and sexual abuse and exploitation. He works alongside his son and partner, Brent Barton, ensuring the firm’s storytelling approach to trial work carries into its next generation. 

“I get inspired when I think about my profession and the moral legacy I carry, from the people who did this before me, to the people who’ll do it after me. Maybe I can be part of something that connects the two.”

Meet Barton Trial Attorneys’ full team here.

Education

Publication

Certification

  • Certified by the Oregon Supreme Court as an Oregon Trial Courts Judge Pro-Tempore.

Leadership

Peer Recognition

Awards

Beyond the Courtroom

Bill and his wife, JoAnn, enjoy life on the Oregon Coast, escaping now and then to their downtown Portland condominium and spending time with their adult children. He rides a custom-built chopper and gives generously of his time and resources.

In his time outside of the courtroom, Bill supports youth sports teams, schools, and scholarships, along with nonprofits focused on children, the environment, and the arts. He also serves as the volunteer Life Coach to Portland State University’s men’s basketball team.

Read more about Bill’s work on our Community and Teaching & Mentorship pages.

Talk to Bill Barton About Your Case

If you have a story that should be told in a court of law, Barton Trial Attorneys offers a free, confidential consultation. Call (503) 203-0015 or contact us online to get started.