Rich Oberdorfer represents motorists in trouble with the law all across Oregon. He is a frequent lecturer on DUII, alcohol and drug pharmacology, and driving-related topics. He graduated cum laude from the Lewis & Clark Law School in 2001 after an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon in 1996. Before and during law school he worked at Rieke & Savage PC, a firm specializing in Measure 11 and murder defense. He is licensed to practice before all Oregon courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Rich has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of DUI/DWI Defense. In 2023 he was selected to Oregon Super Lawyers, having previously been selected as a Rising Star in DUII defense, 2008-2012, and afterward as a Top Rated DUI-DWI Attorney. He is rated a “10″ in Avvo.com’s professional listings.
Rich entered public service as the Gaston Municipal Judge in March, 2021. St. Helens, Oregon City and Bend later appointed him pro tem municipal judge, and he appreciates the opportunity to give back to all these communities. He grew up in Bend, and St. Helens was the original point of Oregon immigration for the Oberdorfer family who arrived to work in the mill in 1925.
His speaking engagements and writings include:
Speaker, Substance Use Disorders and Legal Practice, Oregon Municipal Judges Association (OMJA), 2022
Speaker, Zealous Advocacy and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): Helping Suffering Clients, OCDLA DUII Conference, 2022
Speaker, DMV Collateral Consequences, Metropolitan Public Defender, 2021
Speaker, DUII Skills Presentation, Trial Practice and Client Relations, Public Defender of Marion County, 2020
Legislative Testimony, SB 965’s Generalized DUII Statute, 2019
Legislative Testimony, SB 999’s Banks Reaction, 2019
Speaker, Investigation, Discovery, and Focusing Your Cross-Examination, OCDLA DUII Conference, 2018
Speaker, Cross-Examination of the Lab Technician, OCDLA DUII Conference, 2016
Speaker, Jury Selection in DUII Cases, OCDLA Annual Conference, 2013
Speaker, Traffic Cases, PSU Student Legal Services, 2013
Speaker, DUII Diversion, Oregon State Bar DUII Seminar, 2012
Coordinator, OCDLA DUII Conference, 2010
Speaker, Jury Selection in DUII Cases, Oregon State Bar DUII Seminar, 2009
Speaker, Litigating Prior Convictions, OCDLA DUII Conference, 2007
Editor, OCDLA Criminal Law Formbook: Pretrial Release, 2006
Editor, OCDLA Criminal Law Formbook: Witnesses, 2006
Editor, OCDLA DUII Trial Notebook: Discovery, 2004 / 2014