A. Richard Vial

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Professional Experience:

Richard has practiced law in the areas of real estate, homeowner associations, and litigation since 1981. Having held a real estate license and clerked at the Oregon Department of Real Estate in the condominium section, he brings a depth of experience in common property ownership issues as they relate to real estate.

VF Team Role:

Richard is the founder of VF Law, and primarily has focused on helping condominium and homeowner associations navigate community life. He is an experienced trial lawyer, and has developed particular expertise in resolving construction defect issues. Rich has also represented individuals and businesses in commercial litigation, regulatory compliance issues, and contractual creation and dispute issues. He takes a proactive approach that’s driven by the belief that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Direct Line: 503.210.3106

Education:

• Willamette University College of Law, J.D., 1981
• Brigham Young University, B.S., 1978

Professional Involvement:

Rich has been active both locally and nationally in professional training and development of the law concerning condominiums and homeowner associations. He is a member of the College of Community Association Lawyers, has spoken frequently at national conventions on issues relating to HOA law, and has served on numerous committees dealing with HOA legislation.

Locally, Rich has served on the Legislative Action Committees of the Utah and Oregon Chapters of the Community Associations Institute, as a member and chair of the Legislative Action Committee of the Real Estate and Land Use Section of the Oregon State Bar, and as a board member and chair of the Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter of the Community Associations Institute. Rich, who is a licensed pilot, has also served as chair of the Aviation Section of the Oregon State Bar.

Community Involvement:

Rich is active in his community, frequently serving on community boards and commissions. A past school board chair, Rich has particular interest in issues regarding public education. He currently serves as a planning commissioner in Washington County. Also, as a past chairman of the Washington County Fair Board, Rich continues to enjoy his family’s activities in raising and showing registered cattle. Rich is committed to the concept of community and is active in legislative proposals that encourage local control of land use, education, and services.

Bar/Court Admissions:

• S. Supreme Court
• Oregon State Bar
• Washington State Bar
• Idaho State Bar
• Utah State Bar
• S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• S. District Court, District of Oregon

Articles and Presentations:

• Author, “Continuing Evolution in the Oregon Condominium Law,” 16 Willamette Law Review 263 (1980)
• Author, “The Oregon Condominium Act, A Question of Vested Interests,” 18 Willamette Law Review 95 (1982)
• Author, “Condominium Hotels: Fad or Future,” Developments (April 1986)
• Editor, “The Official HOA Handbook of 3rd Edition,” produced and distributed by the Northwest HOA Law Center
• Editor, “The Official HOA Handbook of Washington 1st Edition,” produced and distributed by the Northwest HOA Law Center
• Editor, “The Official HOA Handbook of Utah 3rd Edition,” produced and distributed by the Northwest HOA Law Center

Language:

• Japanese

Personal/Family:

Richard and his wife, Paula, have been married for 37 years. On their farm in Washington County, they raised six birth and seven Vietnamese refugee children, and have more than 30 grandchildren with whom they spend as much time as possible. The family has many business interests in Oregon, Utah, and Vermont, and believes that the challenges of family members working together are worth the effort and opportunity to engage with one another. The farmhouse, where all the children were raised, is now a gathering place for family, community, and guests, as it has been redone as a lodge in the midst of the beautiful Tualatin Valley.

Rich is also an avid birder and bird photographer. He loves to share his birding experiences and has some of his photographs on display at the VF Law offices in Portland.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]