Attorneys
William Vernon Deatherage (April 17, 1927 – October 12, 2018)
William V. Deatherage was an inspiration to every member of the Frohnmayer Deatherage Firm, to his clients and associates, and to our community. He was born in Drumright, Oklahoma and grew up in Bend, Oregon. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1948 aboard the battleship U.S.S. New Jersey. He received a Bachelor of Science with honors at the University of Oregon in 1952, earned his law degree and was admitted to the bar in 1954. He was admitted to practice in the Oregon State Supreme Court in 1954, U.S. District Court of the District of Oregon in 1956 and U.S. District court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in 1984. Bill moved to Medford with his young wife Priscilla in 1954, and joined the law firm of Porter J. Neff and Otto Frohnmayer, now known as Frohnmayer, Deatherage, Jamieson, Moore, Armosino and McGovern. Bill’s practice focused on general civil litigation, business law and medical defense, including representation of what is now known as Asante. He tried over 500 jury trials during his esteemed career. His professional associations included Jackson County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association, Oregon State Bar (Chairman, Committee on Procedure and Practice, 1972-73), Oregon Association of Defense Council (President, 1974), International Association of Defense Council, American Board of Trial Advocates, Diplomat, (Lawyer of the Year, 1994), International Academy of Trial Lawyers (Fellow), American College of Trial Lawyers, Charter member of the WVD American Inns of Court (named in his honor), University of Oregon Foundation Trustee, and Law Dean Advisory Council member. Bill took pride in establishing Jackson County’s legal aid program to ensure access to legal justice for all Southern Oregonians. Bill also served as Senior Warden at St. Mark’s Parish and was a member of the Vestry.
Bill Deatherage was an avid golf, gardener, dedicated husband and father. He was a consummate gentleman, mentor to many, and epitomized service before self. He left a great legacy for others to follow. His winning smile and the example he set lives on in the lives he touched.
STEPHEN JAMIESON
Jamieson@fdfirm.com
Stephen Jamieson was raised in Rochester, New York. After graduating from Amherst College and Boston University School of Law, he served as an Assistant Attorney General in Washington State, living in Olympia and Bellingham. Stephen then earned a Masters in Taxation from New York University School of Law and practiced with a firm of tax attorneys in Rochester, NY for six years. In 1983, Stephen, his wife Janet, and their two children, Zach and Josh, moved to Medford when Mr. Jamieson joined the firm. Outside the office, Stephen enjoys music, chess, surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking.
Education
Stephen's primary areas of practice are income tax planning for individuals, limited liability companies, and corporations. This includes estate tax planning, important business transactions, trust and estate issues, real estate sales or purchases, and complex tax controversies.
- Business tax planning and general business law issues – formation, operation and dissolution of sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies.
- Estate planning and inheritance tax law – wills, trusts and sophisticated estate planning arrangements.
- Tax compliance and tax litigation
- Tax ramifications that arise often in divorce cases when determining the most appropriate way to divide family assets.
Mr. Jamieson is admitted to practice in the Oregon State Supreme Court, United States Tax Court, Washington State Supreme Court, and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York.
- New York University School of Law – L.L.M. (Taxation), 1977
- Boston University School of Law – J.D., Cum Laude, 1971
- Amherst College – B.A., 1967
Legal Background & Practice
- Washington State Supreme Court, 1971
- Appellate Division of Supreme Court, State of New York, 1978
- United States Tax Court, 1980
- Oregon State Supreme Court, 1983
Professional Memberships
- Oregon State Bar
- Jackson County Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- New York State Bar
Community Involvement
- Rogue Valley Medical Center Foundation , 1992 – 2002
- Southern Oregon University Foundation , 1993 – 2000
BERNIE MOORE
Moore@fdfirm.com
Bernie has tried in excess of 100 jury trials to verdict in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Deschutes, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Linn, and Multnomah Counties and the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. From 1984 –85 he served as a deputy District Attorney for Jackson County. He entered private practice in 1985 focusing exclusively on litigation. He is admitted to practice in the State Courts of Oregon; the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He frequently speaks on the topics of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist benefits, and trial tactics for organizations such as the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Professional Liability Fund, Oregon State Bar and the Oregon Law Institute.
Bernie has a Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™ rating. The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are an objective indicator of a lawyer's high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary. AV Preeminent® is a significant rating accomplishment. It is a testament to the fact that Bernie's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.
Published Opinions
- Moffett v. Ginter, 66 Or. App. 498 (1984)
- Jensen v. Kacy's Market , 91 Or. App. 285 (1988)
- Appleberry v. Berry, 98 Or. App. 398 (1989)
- Linn v. Pitts, 123 Or. App. 277 (1993)
- Fox v. Country Mutual Insurance Co., 132 Or. App. 336 (1995)
- Fox v. Country Mutual Insurance Co., 327 Or. 500 (1998)
- Fox v. Country Mutual Insurance Co., 169 Or. App. 54 (2000)
Professional Memberships
- Oregon Bar Association
- Jackson County Bar Association
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- William V. Deatherage Inn of Court: Master ranking.
Community Involvement
- Vestry (member) St. Mark's Episcopal Church 2000-2004
- Governor's Task Force on Savage Rapids Dam 1996
- Rogue Flyfishers (member) Board Member 1993-1996 (President 1996)
- Ron and Karol Bennet Memorial Scholarship Committee – Chair
Personal
Bernie lives in Medford with his wife Betsy, who teaches at St. Mary's School.
Education
- 1980 – BA Alma College – Alma, MI
- 1984 – JD Northwestern School of Law – Portland, OR
THOMAS ARMOSINO
Armosino@fdfirm.com
Thomas is a trial attorney whose practice focuses on the defense of medical professionals and law enforcement. Away from the office, Thomas enjoys hunting the West. He and his wife Heidi spend their free time surfing and exploring Great Basin archaeology, and spending time with their precious mini-Aussies.
Education
- California Western School of Law, San Diego, J.D. 1991
- California State University, Chico, B.A. 1988
Legal Background & Practice
Thomas was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2023. He was inducted, as an Advocate, into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2014. He has been an Oregon Super Lawyer since 2011. These honors illustrate Thomas' passion for defending medical professionals. While practicing primarily in Southern Oregon, Thomas defends physicians, dentists, and other individual medical practices and hospitals throughout the State. He was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1991, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit in 1995.
Professional Memberships
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Oregon Super Lawyers
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- William V. Deatherage Inn of Court
TRACY MCGOVERN
Legal Background & Practice
Ms. McGovern has a general civil litigation practice with emphasis in the areas of insurance defense, public body defense, employment law, and professional malpractice defense. She has extensive trial experience having tried in excess of 50 jury trials to date.
Ms. McGovern also handles domestic relations cases including the representation of parties in cases involving complicated asset valuation and support issues. Ms. McGovern enjoys serving as a mediator and arbitrator in civil cases.
Ms. McGovern was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1993, and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon (1998). Ms. McGovern has a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating .
Education
- George Washington University, National law Center, Washington, D.C.; J.D., 1993
- The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. ; B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1990
Personal
Professional Memberships
- William V. Deatherage Inn of Court, Executive Board (2011 – 2015), President (2013-2014)
- District of Oregon Federal Local Rules Committee (2013 – 2015)
- The Campaign for Equal Justice – Jackson County Committee Member, Advisory Board
- Jackson County Court ADR Committee (2003-present)
- Lawyer Representative 9th Circuit Judicial Conference (2005-2008, Chair 2008)
- State Bar, Uniform Jury Instructions Committee – Civil (2008 – 2011)
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (Professional Liability Practice Group Chair 2006)
- Jackson County Bar Association
- Oregon Women Lawyers Association
Community Activities
- Southern Oregon Public Defenders, Inc Board Member (2012 – present)
- St. Mary's Community Foundation Board, (2013 – 2017)
- St. Mary's of Medford, Inc. – Board of Trustees, Secretary (2003-2013) (2020 - Present)
- Josephine County Alternative Center, Board of Directors, 1994-1996
- Community Business Education Center Volunteer (1994 - 1998)
- Classroom Law Project – Mock Trial Competition
- Judge (1994-2004)
- Coach (2006-present)
Inspiration
Casey S. Murdock
Casey is a civil litigation attorney who represents law enforcement, insurance companies, private individuals, and employers litigating issues in state and federal court, involving premises liability, employment relations, personal injury claims, constitutional invocations, and professional malpractice. Casey has tried numerous cases to verdict and he has briefed and argued appeals before the Oregon Courts of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Education
- Willamette University College of Law, J.D.
- Oregon State University, B.S.
- Fisheries and Wildlife Science.
Professional Memberships
- William V. Deatherage Inn of Court – Vice President
- Oregon Super Lawyers
Admissions
- Oregon State Courts
- United States District Court for the District of Oregon
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Supreme Court of the United States
Sean P. Tipton
Mr. Tipton was raised in Medford. He studied philosophy at Oregon State University and received his J.D. and Federal Tax Certificate at Lewis & Clark Law School. During law school, Sean served as Lead Article Editor for Lewis & Clark Law Review, volunteered at the Lewis & Clark Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, worked as a law clerk at Kell, Alterman & Runstein in Portland, and externed for Judges Robyn Aoyagi and Joel DeVore at the Oregon Court of Appeals. Following law school, Sean clerked for the Honorable Robert T. Manicke at the Regular Division of the Oregon Tax Court. Now at Frohnmayer Deatherage, Sean's primary areas of practice include tax planning, estate planning, general business law issues and civil litigation.
Education
- 2020 - J.D., magna cum laude, Lewis & Clark Law School
- 2013 - B.S., cum laude, Oregon State University
Professional Memberships
- Jackson County Bar Association, President 2023 to 2024
- Oregon Bench and Bar Commission on Professionalism
- William V. Deatherage Inn of Court
- New Tax Lawyer Committee Mentor Program Coordinator
Admissions
- Oregon State Courts
- United States District Court for the District of Oregon
- United States Tax Court
Personal
When not working, Sean enjoys spending time with his wife and children.