Ed Budge

Edwin Budge has been representing clients in civil rights cases and high-end injury and death cases for more than 28 years. Ed is a 1991 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Oregon. He graduated magna cum laude from Willamette University College of Law in 1994, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Willamette Law Review.

Erik J. Heipt

An experienced courtroom litigator with a passion for civil rights, Erik Heipt is a member of the Washington and California bars. Erik graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991 and received his law degree in 1994 from Willamette University College of Law, where he was Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review.

Hank Balson

For nearly two decades, Hank Balson has devoted his legal career to helping individuals and groups challenge civil rights abuses by governments and corporations. He became of counsel to Budge & Heipt in 2017.

In The News

Due to the important nature of the jail and police cases we handle at Budge & Heipt, our cases are frequently featured in the news.

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  • Budge & Heipt has obtained a $7 million settlement for the death of a

    May 1, 2023

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  • The Guardian is reporting on a federal lawsuit being handled by Budge & Heipt,

    April 17, 2023

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  • CNN is reporting on a jail death case being handled by Budge & Heipt.

    April 17, 2023

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  • The Huffington Post is reporting on a jail death case being handled by Budge

    April 17, 2023

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  • The Washington Post is reporting on a lawsuit filed in federal court for the

    January 14, 2023

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“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses ⎯ behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”

– Muhammad Ali –

If you or a loved one has been a victim of serious injury and/or death at the hands of police or in jail or prison, tell us about your case.