Our clients rely on Kell, Alterman & Runstein to deliver effective, cost-efficient, and pragmatic legal solutions to their business, environmental, creditors' rights, litigation, estate, trademark, tax, and family law challenges.
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P. represents clients in Washington, Oregon, the United States, and around the world on a range of legal matters, including business and corporate law, creditors' rights, environmental law, divorce and other family law matters, trademark, and intellectual property law. We work relentlessly to provide winning and cost-effective legal solutions that meet our clients' needs.
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 3 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.0 or higher.
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
About Awards
Client Champion Awards
Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity
and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.
At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P. got this award in 2021
At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.
At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale Peer Awards
A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P. got this award in 2021
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Avvo Awards
Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A,
publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.
Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.
Excellent atty at estate law and tax planning. We highly recommend Bob. We have a somewhat complex set of variables and he navigated everything, gave us ideas our prior atty missed, and the way he explained everything was extremely thorough and easy to understand.
I cannot recommend Dennis Steinman and Scott Aldworth at Kell, Alterman & Runstein highly enough. As someone who had never sued anyone before at age 51, I was incredibly anxious about the entire process of my FHA case. Dennis and Scott made what could have been an overwhelming experience much more manageable. What stood out to me most was how they took the time to thoroughly explain complex legal concepts and procedures that I didn't understand. They never made me feel rushed or foolish for asking questions - and I had many! Their patience and clear communication helped me feel informed and confident throughout the entire process. Dennis and Scott were always available whenever I needed them. Whether I had a quick question or needed a more in-depth explanation, they responded promptly and thoughtfully. This level of accessibility was incredibly reassuring during such a stressful time. The team's expertise really shined during mediation. They skillfully guided process to a resolution.
I don’t think I would have been able to make it through this process without the help and encouragement of Dennis and Scott. I did not have to worry about a nothing and was updated every step of the way.
Dennis totally overbilled me for his services. I lost more money by having him as an attorney than I stood to win in the first place. He never warned me that he was going to charge so much. He did not give an explanation for the excess fees except for "Reviewing the case". I plan to contact the Better Business Bureau to file a claim against him and his firm.
If Satan chose to be an incompetent, sloppy, corrupt, cruel, unscrupulous, uncaring, unempathetic, deceptive lawyer, Satan would be Brett E. Engel. Mr. Engel botched our case every step of the way while doing harm to every member of the family he touched - worst of all our children. He is toxic.
Brett did a great job selling himself to me and I was encouraged. Unfortunately, he's just a bad human being. I had similar bad experiences as the other people in their negative reviews. I deeply regret working with him.
Mr. Engel is unethical and a poor attorney. My husband and I agreed to try to have an amicable divorce for the sake of our kids. I retained Mr. Engel on this basis. After retaining him, Mr. Engel began subtly counseling me in a manner that could only escalate conflict. Additionally, his communications with the other attorney and in regard to my soon to be ex were purposefully inflammatory. As time passed, he brazenly escalated unnecessary conflicts - while gaslighting me that he was doing the opposite. I realized he was trying to manipulate us into a high conflict, extended divorce. I fired Mr. Engel, switched attorneys, and we finalized our divorce amicably. Thank God I fired Mr. Engel. He would have destroyed our family. Mr. Engel is a very disturbed person and should seek psychiatric help.
I do not recommend hiring Brett on any matter. Do yourself a favor and seek another attorney as Brett only represents his own interests. Sloppy, incompetent, and poor communication skills ultimately lead you down a path of doom! Highly recommend staying away from Brett Engel.
Reviews
These client and peer reviews are from the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS: Albina Fuel Company; Baxter Auto Parts, Inc.; BNSF Railway Company; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Columbia Wire & Iron Works, Inc.; Fibrex & Shipping Co., Inc.; Hallmark Inns & Resorts, Inc.; Independent Dispatch, Inc.; Portland Adventist Medical Center; Rose City Label Co.; Shokookai of Portland; Soderstrom Architects, Ltd.; TMT Development Co., Inc.; and Waste Control Systems, Inc. Reference: Bank of the West.
Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.
The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.
Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page
Martindale Peer Reviews
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.
The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.
What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*
• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.
Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.