When a crisis hits you or your firm, whether personal, professional, or public, the first hours matter most. Steve Ungar has spent four decades helping clients navigate the legal, media, and reputational dimensions of exactly these moments as well as the days and months that inevitably follow. He has the multi-disciplinary experience to see you through it, with the least damage possible.
When your phone won’t stop ringing, reporters are camping outside your office, and your name is trending for all the wrong reasons. That’s when you need a team that’s been through this before.
At Ungar Law Office, we work with individuals, executives, companies, and nonprofits facing their most difficult moments. Whether you’re dealing with allegations that threaten your reputation, a business matter that’s spiraled into public scrutiny, or a personal situation that’s suddenly making headlines, we understand that you need more than just legal advice. You need a strategic partner who can see around corners.
We Move Fast Because Crises Don’t Wait
In the first hours of a crisis, the decisions you make, or don’t make, can shape everything that follows. We’re available when you need us, providing immediate counsel to help you navigate those critical early moments. Our team has worked with clients through investigations, media firestorms, social media controversies, workplace incidents, and situations where personal and professional reputations hang in the balance.
We Think Beyond the Law
Yes, we’re lawyers. But crisis management isn’t just about legal exposure; it’s about protecting what you’ve built. We take an integrated approach that considers the legal implications alongside the business impact, media dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and reputational concerns that define modern crises. We work closely with your existing team, whether that includes PR advisors, board members, or other trusted counselors, to develop a coordinated response.
We Know Portland (and Beyond)
Based in Portland, we understand the local media landscape, the business community, and the unique dynamics of the Pacific Northwest. At the same time, we’ve handled matters that have drawn regional and national attention. We know how different audiences will react, from local reporters to industry watchdogs to social media, and we help you craft responses accordingly.
What We Do
Our crisis management work includes:
- Immediate response and triage when a situation breaks
- Strategic counsel on communications and public statements
- Coordination with media relations professionals
- Internal investigations and fact-finding
- Stakeholder management and relationship preservation
- Legal analysis of exposure and liability
- Long-term reputation recovery planning
Who We Help
We represent a diverse range of clients, from high-profile individuals and executives to established companies and nonprofit organizations. What they share is the need for sophisticated, discreet counsel during their most vulnerable moments.
The Reality of Modern Crises
Today’s crises move at internet speed. A single allegation can become a viral story before lunch. An internal matter can become external before you’ve had time to investigate. The court of public opinion operates 24/7, and it doesn’t follow evidentiary rules.
That’s why you need advisors who understand both the legal and practical realities of crisis management. People who’ve successfully guided others through similar storms and know what it takes to come out the other side.
If you’re facing a crisis or see one developing, reach out. The sooner we start working together, the more options you’ll have.