Whitney P. Boise

Partner

Whitney P. Boise

Partner

whitney@boisematthews.com
direct: (503) 416-2068

Whitney has been serving individuals and corporations charged with crimes in state and federal court since 1987. During this time, he has represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases in the state. Whitney has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America© for Criminal Defense in both White Collar and Non-White Collar Crimes since 2007. Through Best Lawyers®, his peers recognized him as Lawyer of the Year for White Collar Criminal Defense in 2017, and as Lawyer of the Year for General Practice Criminal Defense in 2016 and 2018. Whitney has also been included on Oregon’s Super Lawyers lists and has been awarded the AV Preeminent rating for the highest level of professional excellence in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Recently, Whitney was chosen to be a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Whitney received his undergraduate degree from New York University and then returned home to Salem where he obtained his law degree from Willamette University. After serving as a law clerk at the Oregon Court of Appeals and working as a Special Attorney for the United States Department of Justice on the Washington Public Power Supply System case, Whitney began his career as a criminal defense lawyer at the Multnomah County Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office. Over a four-year period, he represented hundreds of indigent clients charged with crimes ranging from fraud to murder. For the last 25-plus years, Whitney has been in private practice, representing individuals and corporations at odds with the government.

Whitney served on the State Professional Responsibility Board from 2012-2015, and as the Board’s chair in 2015. This Board is responsible for overseeing ethical complaints against Oregon lawyers. Whitney also served on the Oregon State Bar Criminal Law Section Executive Committee, and was the chair person for this committee, which provides legal training to prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers around the state. Whitney has written a number of articles for criminal defense publications and is a frequent speaker at criminal defense seminars. Whitney is also a strong advocate for indigent defense, serving as a Board Member to both the Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office and the Oregon Federal Indigent Trust. Finally, Whitney has served as a mentor to young lawyers for many years through both the Oregon State Bar and the Multnomah Bar Association.

Whitney is a criminal defense lawyer because he believes he can make a positive difference in people’s lives. He is passionate about his work and is a highly-respected advocate for his clients.

Honors

Best Lawyers® 2018 Criminal Defense: General Practice “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, OR

Best Lawyers® 2017 Criminal Defense: White Collar “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, OR

Best Lawyers® 2016 Criminal Defense: General Practice “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, OR

Best Lawyers® Criminal Defense (White Collar and General Practice)

2007 – Present

American College of Trial Lawyers

2018 – Present

The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) is composed of preeminent members of the Trial Bar from the United States and Canada and is recognized as the leading trial lawyers organization in both countries. Fellowship is extended only by invitation, after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Membership can never be more than 1% of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

International Society of Barristers

2018 – Present

The International Society of Barristers is an honor society of outstanding trial lawyers chosen by their peers on the basis of excellence and integrity in advocacy. It seeks to preserve trial by jury, the adversary system, and independence of the judiciary. Members (the Fellows) are elected by the Society’s Board of Governors on nomination by a Fellow and after inquiry directed to other Barristers in the nominee’s region and to judges before whom the nominee has tried cases.

Super Lawyers, Listed

2008 – 2013, 2015 – Present

Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated

Biography

Criminal Defense Lawyer, Private Practice

1991 – Present

Metropolitan Public Defender Board Member

2016 – Present

Federal Indigent Trust Fund Advisory Board, Member

2000 – 2015

Metropolitan Public Defender

1987 – 1991

United States Department of Justice – Special Attorney

1986 – 1987

Judicial Clerk, Oregon Court of Appeals

1985 – 1986

Willamette Law Review

Associate Editor, 1984 – 1985

Member, 1983 – 1984 

Education

Willamette University College of Law, J.D.

1985

New York University, B.A.

1981

Bar Admissions

Oregon

1985

United States District Court for the District of Oregon

1991

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

1992

Bar Activities

Oregon State Bar

Board of Governors

2018 – 2019

State Professional Responsibility Board

Chair, 2015

Member, 2012 – 2015

New Lawyer Mentoring Program

2013 – 2014

Criminal Law Section

Chair, 2003 – 2004

Executive Committee, 2001 – 2004

Board of Bar Examiners

Grader, 1994, 1995

OSB Member

1987 – Present

Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Trial Skills College

Instructor, 2012, 2013, 2015

Education Committee

2001 – 2002

OCDLA Member

1987 – Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Multnomah Bar Association

Gus J. Solomon Inn of Court

2014 – 2016

Frequent speaker on criminal defense topics