A product of the Oregon public school systems, Dan Rayfield graduated from Western Oregon University in 2003. While attending Western Oregon University he made the decision to live in Corvallis, Oregon. It was during this time that he first began to appreciate the surrounding areas and the quality of life it provided.
With in an interest in remaining local, Mr. Rayfield attended and graduated from Willamette University College of Law in 2006. In 2005, with an eye on returning to the Linn and Benton County area, he clerked for the Benton County District Attorney’s office. During his time at the District Attorney’s office he gained valuable trial experience prosecuting DUIIs and other misdemeanor charges.
Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Rayfield was hired on as an associate with the Albany firm of Weatherford Thompson. While his practice initially focused on general civil litigation, it began to shift towards representing individuals against large entities, insurance companies, and large corporations, forcing them to be accountable for their acts and leveling the playing field for his clients. While contract and real estate disputes were engaging, he did not feel the same satisfaction as he did when working to protect the rights of individuals and fighting to ensure they were treated fairly and with respect.
In 2007, Mr. Rayfield’s passion for protecting individual rights would take center stage after accepting a civil rights case where a local police officer was accused of falsely arresting several individuals. This case made statewide news and eventually led to the officer’s resignation. Since that time, Mr. Rayfield has developed a niche specializing in civil rights cases. Mr. Rayfield has successfully handled civil rights cases against numerous counties, cities, and the State of Oregon. He firmly believes that our civil justice system acts as a check and balance against individuals that choose to violate the constitutional rights of others.
In May of 2009, Mr. Rayfield accepted a position with the Albany firm of Nelson & MacNeil effectively narrowing his practice to plaintiff litigation.
Mr. Rayfield believes that part of an attorney’s role is that of a problem solver. As such, Mr. Rayfield’s representation of his clients has, at times, gone beyond the courtroom. In 2009, after several of his clients were unable to achieve an adequate remedy at law, he looked to the legislature. Mr. Rayfield testified before the House Judiciary Committee in an effort to get a bill passed (HB2318) that now enables falsely arrested/innocent citizens to remove/set aside an arrest for a traffic offense that was otherwise detrimental when seeking employment and traveling. Mr. Rayfield can be found at the capitol throughout the legislative sessions advocating on issues related to an individual’s access to justice.
In addition to practicing law, Mr. Rayfield is active in the community. He serves as President of the Linn Benton Bar Association, President on the board of the Majestic Theatre Management, Commissioner of the Linn-Benton Housing Authority, Member of the Greater Corvallis Rotary Club, Member of the Corvallis League of Women Voters, and also as a former Linn County Peer Court Judge.
In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travels, and on occasion performs in local theater. He enjoys basketball, hiking, mountaineering/alpine climbing, and is an avid Portland Trailblazer fan.
