John Gear

Since 2010, serving people with consumer and employee law issues: I prefer to help people anticipate and avoid legal problems by understanding how the law affects them and what they need to do to get the results they want. But sometimes legal problems can't be avoided, such as when someone treats you unfairly and you need to respond. Sadly, among the many reputable businesses who pride themselves on treating everyone fairly, there are a few others, who often try to take advantage of their customers and even their employees at every opportunity. Many lawyers promise to be aggressive and to fight for you to the bitter end. It's an easy promise to make, and it can even be helpful sometimes. What I find is that what's most important is finding an attorney who puts helping you first, even when it means avoiding a fight (and reducing your legal costs). Sure, in rare cases, a legal brawl is the only thing that will do the job to protect your rights. But a lot of time, not. If you find yourself being treated unfairly or taken advantage of, my goal as your attorney is do what's best for you to see that you are made whole, as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Elder law: Life-care and end-of-life planning and preparations for seniors and adults with disabilities. This includes working with families and caregivers to ensure that the planning is carried out properly. And working with younger adults and families throughout their lives to ensure that their interests are protected in the event of disability and their wishes are carried out after death. Counsel and guidance for nonprofits about organizational form, incorporation, strategic planning, and organizational policies and procedures, all designed to reduce risk and maximize organizational effectiveness while creating satisfied customers and stakeholders and eliminating causes of complaints. As wise nonprofit leaders know, the "nonprofit" is just a tax status. Nonprofits have to be every bit as shar

• Nonprofits

• Free Consultation
  My fee rate is $360/hour. Generally I don't offer free consults; I charge for almost all consults and apply the charge to initial filing fees and other costs if engaged for litigation.
• Contingent Fees
  Most of my consumer protection cases are brought on contingency. For debt defense, I offer flat fees for defending against creditor suits or settling the case.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I don't accept credit cards directly and prefer checks so I don't have to pay credit card processor fees. If necessary, prospective new clients can check with me about using PayPal to pay the consult fee.

Michigan

2004-2007

Oregon

Since 2007

Attorney

John Gear Law Office LLC

2010 - Current

Natural Resource Specialist

Oregon Dept. Of Energy - Nuclear Safety & Energy Siting

2007 - 2008

Regulatory Affairs Attorney

Michigan Public Service Commission

2006 - 2007

Research Attorney

Michigan Court of Appeals - Prehearing Office

2004 - 2006

Principal

Catalyst Consulting Services

1994 - 2001

Principal Engineer

Westinghouse Hanford Company

1989 - 1994

Officer, USS Omaha (SSN-692)

US Navy

1984 - 1989

Western Michigan University Cooley Law School

J.D. (2004) | Law

2001 - 2004

Honors: Magna Cum Laude: 10 awards for top marks in Products Liability law, Professional Responsibility and Ethics, State Administrative Law, Federal Administrative Law, Election Law, Equities and Remedies, Law Practice Management, Trial Practice,

Activities: Certificate in Trial Practice, Administrative Law; National Trial Team competitor

Washington State University - Tri-Cities campus

M.S. (1993) | Engineering Management

1990 - 1993

University of Wisconsin - Madison

B.S. (1984) | Nuclear Engineering

1980 - 1984

Honors: NE department distinguished scholars program

Activities: Naval ROTC Battalion XO

Volunteer Attorney of the Year

Legal Aid Services of Oregon

2009

Veterans Pro Bono Consortium

Volunteer Attorney

2012 - Current

National Association of Consumer Advocates  # 62860

Member

2011 - Current

Activities: Chair, Education Committee

OSB Nonprofit Organizations Law Section

Founder

2011 - Current

Activities: Founded section and served on executive committee two years

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2011 - Current

DeMuniz Resource Center prison re entry program

Volunteer Supervising Attorney

2011 - Current

Helping Servicemembers on Active Duty and Veterans as Civil Litigants, Consumers and Taxpayers

Oregon State Bar Legal Publications

2018

Warranties chapter of "Consumer Law in Oregon" attorney practice guide

Oregon State Bar

February, 2013