Ms Judy Danelle Snyder | Attorney

Judy Danelle Snyder has been a trial attorney for 34 years. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame School of Law in 1973. Following her graduation from law school, Judy moved to Oregon to clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Otto Skopil. After her federal clerkship, she enjoyed an active trial practice for four years in the Multnomah County District Attorney's office where she prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases.

In 1978, Judy resigned from the District Attorney's office to establish her own law firm. While a sole practitioner, she developed her litigation practice and was frequently associated by other attorneys to serve as the lead trial attorney on cases. In 1983, Judy co-founded the firm of Hoevet, Snyder, & Van Duyn. Judy left that firm in 2002 to open her current firm which focuses exclusively on civil litigation in the federal and state courts.
 
The majority of Judy's cases are filed in federal court using the force of federal laws, including Title VII as amended by the 1991 Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disability Act, 42 U.S.C. 1981 and 1983, and also more obscure federal statutes, such as the Polygraph Protection Act, Unlawful Interception of Communications Act, and Jury Service Protection Act. In the state courts, Judy represents clients in actions for serious personal injuries, wrongful death, professional negligence, defamation, and contract claims. Occasionally, she represents defendants in business and contract litigation.

Judy has also developed a unique specialty practice representing medical doctors, psychologists, nurses, and other licensed professionals who are facing disciplinary proceedings before their state licensing boards.

In August of 2001, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association honored Judy with its Distinguished Trial Lawyer Award. Earlier that year, in March 2001, the Oregon State Bar Litigation Section awarded Judy the Owen M. Panner Professionalism Award.

In addition to maintaining an active trial practice, Judy has served as a leader in numerous professional associations and volunteer boards and agencies. From 1989 to 1990, she served as president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, an organization in which she has been active since 1980. From 1999 to 2000, she served as president of the Multnomah County Bar Association, an organization she joined in 1975. She has also been a long time member of the American Association for Justice, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the Federal Bar Association, and has been active with committees and in various positions with the Oregon State Bar Association.

Judy is frequently requested by the local, state, and federal bar associations and private organizations to serve as a presenter at Continuing Education programs for attorneys throughout the state. She lectures several times a year on various aspects of trial practice, including providing presentations on evidence, trial techniques, and substantive law issues.

Judy's community activities have included a four-year term on the State of Oregon's Psychiatric Security Review Board. She held the position of Chair of the PSRB from 1983 to 1984. She then served on the State of Oregon's Board of Psychologist Examiners from 1986 to 1988. Also, from 1990 to 1993 Judy was on the Board of Trustees of Jesuit High School.

To round out her life, Judy also has enjoyed a 26-year marriage to Paul Ellis, an architect. They have two children, a daughter, Danielle, and a son, Taylor.