Gates Estate Planning Lawyers

I handle civil litigation, business, real estate, and fiduciary litigation matters. For litigation matters, my focus is Oregon state court, although I also appear in Oregon Federal District Court. I am well-versed in all phases of litigation and comfortable taking a case to trial. Given the risk and expense of litigation, many cases settle before trial. I have participated in numerous mediations and judicial settlement conferences. However, sometimes settlement does not make sense and a client needs their day in court. I thoroughly enjoy the challenges and complexities that trial brings and feel at ease...

Focused practice in high asset and complex divorce and custody issues.

I am a partner with Fitzwater Law. My practice consists of estate planning and administration, including the preparation of wills and trusts, gift and estate tax planning, special needs planning, and the administration of trusts and probate estates.

Estate planning and administration is the only area of law out there for me. There is no other area of law in which I would rather practice. Over the years I have discovered that my job typically consists of equal parts teaching, counseling and lawyering. Tellingly, teaching and psychology were the other careers I considered before deciding on law. I feel incredibly fortunate...

James Oberholtzer has provided legal services to clients for over 35 years. He has provided legal representation to: Families. Estate planning, family wealth planning, wills and trusts, taxation of wills and trusts, guardianship and conservatorships, creation and administration of trusts, and probate of estates. Entrepreneurs. Closely held companies, family partnerships and individual entrepreneurs in formation and finance of enterprises, acquisitions and joint ventures, strategic planning and executive compensation, entity governance, integration of tax, legal and business objectives, protection of intellectual property and selection and supervision of local counsel. Senior Housing. Senior housing owners and operators...

Heidi was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, coming from a family who has lived in the Pacific Northwest for four generations. Prior to law school, Heidi worked for five years as a victim’s advocate for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Her love of collaborating with clients to achieve a goal of safety for their future, stems from this work. Heidi is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law, where she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence. During her time in law school, she discovered her love for the area of estate planning, spending a year in a half in...

Steve has been practicing law since 1994, graduating from University of Oregon Law School where he served on the Managerial Board of the Oregon Law Review.

Steve has served as a Municipal Court Judge for the Cities of Newberg, Sherwood, Dayton, Dundee, Yamhill-Carlton, and McMinnville. He is a current member of the Estate Planning and Domestic Relations Sections of the Oregon State Bar as well as the Yamhill County Bar Association.



Steve is a managing partner at the law firm, Brown Tarlow Bridges, & Palmer, PC in Newberg, Oregon. Steve's practice focuces primarily on:



Family Law including:

Complex Dissolutions &...

Serving clients in Northwest Oregon, including St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, Clatskanie, and Astoria, since 1976. I have always advocated with thoroughness, passion, and compassion, for fairness and justice for all.

I am the President of Hillsboro Law Group PC, an Oregon law firm dedicated to helping clients find long-term solutions to difficult legal issues. My practice focuses on family law and wills, trusts, and estates.

Jessica values the preservation of familial relationships for the sake of family unity and ensuring simplicity in future dispute resolutions. She understands that each family is different, and is committed to working toward solutions that best fit the needs of you and your family.

Conveniently Located
near the intersection of
Pacific Hwy (99W) and I-5

Wendy’s practice includes dissolution of marriage proceedings, legal separations, modifications of child custody, child support and spousal support, and contempt and enforcement proceedings. Wendy’s practice also includes probate administration, estate planning, and protective proceedings.

Jason Pierson became a lawyer to be a voice for people who feel trivialized by divorce-especially children. During a divorce, a child can sometimes feel as though their opinion doesn’t matter. Jason’s passion is to advocate for his client's children and help them succeed. Prior to attending law school, Jason worked as a paralegal in Las Vegas mostly in construction defect law firms for about eight years.

Aaron Ferreira grew up in Livermore, California. As an undergrad, he attended the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), first studying Computer Science and then graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. After graduation, he got his feet wet in the legal profession by working for three years as a legal assistant in Shell Beach, California.



In 1997, Aaron entered the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, in Portland, Oregon. While attending law school, he participated in law review as a Research Editor and then Articles Editor for the...

Lauren Barnhart was always fascinated with “the rules.” She believes that rules create predictability and clarity, and apply to everyone equally. It was this fascination with rules that led Lauren to become an attorney. As an attorney, Lauren helps families navigate through what can be the most difficult time of their lives-divorce. She works to develop a relationship with her clients and demonstrate that their case genuinely matters. Lauren was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, and was a member in the Tacoma Youth Symphony where she performed at Carnegie Hall. When Lauren is not assisting...

Paul Loney has practiced law for over 27 years. In 2009, Mr. Loney developed the legal blueprint for Oregon’s first private cannabis club, “Highway 420,” and the first National high-profile cannabis café, “Oregon NORML’s Cannabis Café.” Mr. Loney’s practice focuses on a variety of legal issues associated with cannabis and hemp, specifically in the areas of business law and regulatory compliance.

Paul Loney has served as Oregon NORML’s legal counsel for over 13 years and has helped draft numerous cannabis-related legislative initiatives involving Oregon’s medical marijuana and recreational marijuana issues. He has assisted clients in drafting language for proposed additions...

Alan has been practicing law for 25+ years. He focuses on tax, estate planning, and business law. He has worked in both private practice and in association with established law firms. Before becoming a lawyer, Alan owned and operated several businesses. When handling his cases, he draws from his hands-on experience as an entrepreneur, providing valuable insight on real estate, business law, wealth management, and more. Alan received his law degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, CA and his Master of Science degree in Taxation from Golden State University in San Francisco, CA.

In the 1980s, as young newlyweds, Stan Butterfield and his wife, Connie, befriended an elderly neighbor; the 106 year old man was a treasury of stories. He enthralled Stan with tales of his work as a shipwright on some of the last of the merchant sailing ships and of his mid-life career change as a mechanic for the Wright brothers. It was with this old friend in mind that Stan began to advocate for the elderly; starting in 1988 as a Washington State legislator and then later in Oregon in his work as an attorney in private practice. In...

My practice emphasizes the legal and crisis issues faced by the elderly and their families, including incapacity, guardianship, long-term care, and end-of-life concerns. In my 30+ years of practice, I have truly enjoyed the relationships I have developed with my clients and their families. I have the privilege of helping and protecting them – often at one of the most difficult times in their lives. I count myself very fortunate because I like my job. I enjoy the wonderful group of attorneys and staff I work with every day. Most importantly, I get to help clients who need and appreciate...

Katie is a shareholder at Hurley Re, P.C. practicing in the areas of Estate Planning & Administration, Probate, Guardianships and Conservatorships, and Elder Law. Prior to joining Hurley Re, she spent seven years as a Deschutes County deputy district attorney and two years practicing civil litigation, business law, and municipal law. During her time at the district attorney’s office, Katie led the Deschutes County Senior and Disabled Adult Multidisciplinary Team. Katie attended Mountain View High School in Bend, and went on to receive her B.A. in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and her J.D. from University of Denver, Sturm College...

De Alicante Law Group LLC's (DLG) dedication to serving others is reflected in delivering excellence in legal services, giving peace of mind, knowledge, confidence, and personalized legal solutions to clients in estate planning, probate and business law. DLG's 30 years of international experience across public and private sectors, and advanced experience and training in estates and tax law, brings needed depth and experience to clients in developing customized, trust-centered estate and tax planning, in representing clients through probate proceedings, and in representing clients in their business ventures from business formation, through the business life cycle and being there through the...

Ms. Kirkendall offers caring legal expertise in a practice that includes adoption, elder law, estate planning and probate. She specializes in the areas of probate, wills, trusts, estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship, and adoption. A graduate of the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College, Ms. Kirkendall is a volunteer with OASIS and Legal Aid Services for Seniors, serves as a volunteer judge with the Tigard Police Department Peer Court, and is a member of the Oregon State Bar Standing Committee on Adoption.

Jeff focuses his practice on estate planning, administration, and litigation. His practice grows from his experience in academic and pharmaceutical research, where he worked closely with oncology patients undergoing experimental treatments. He enjoys tackling complex issues, while keeping his clients’ real-world needs at the forefront of every decision. Jeff listens carefully to his clients to help them find the solution that’s right for them. His experience with scientific research taught him to be resilient and creative, and he enjoys applying this approach to advocate for his clients today.

College Degree in Education, emphasis in science, from Humboldt State University in 1976. While attending Humboldt State University, Larry Gray started and managed a successful family business. This business experience laid the foundation for Larry's appreciation of the interplay of the law, business, and personal finance. Law Degree from Northwest School of Law, Lewis & Clark in 1980. Passed the Oregon State Bar in 1980 Started private practice in Newberg, Oregon immediately after passing the Oregon State Bar. Over the last 30 years, Larry Gray has helped many families and individuals with a broad range...

Mr. Kane grew up in Oregon and obtained his bachelor's degree in Economics from Portland State University in 1991. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College in 1994 and became a member of the Oregon State Bar in 1995. He is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts in the State of Oregon. Mr. Kane has always focused on helping "the little guy" and has represented hundreds of individuals and small businesses in many areas of the law in both state and federal courts, including...

Jeff moved his practice to Lake Oswego in 2006. Since then, he and his team have helped numerous businesses and individuals navigate through turbulent legal waters. When the housing and banking crisis hit hard, Jeff was one of the few attorneys in Oregon who was willing to take on the complex defense litigation against the banks and mortgage servicers to help Oregon homeowners fight to save their homes from foreclosure. He has been instrumental in shaping Oregon foreclosure practice, most notably with successful appeals in US Bank vs. Vettrus, 285 Or App 629 (2017) and US Bank vs. McCoy, 290...

Lesley V. Herring is a native of Louisiana who moved to Portland, Oregon in 2011. She completed her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2003 and obtained her Master’s Degree in Philosophy in 2005. Ms. Herring received her J.D. from Michigan State University in 2010. She has dedicated her legal practice to the areas of family law and estate planning. Ms. Herring takes a direct and pragmatic approach in advising her clients and developing solutions which fit their needs. She is a strong advocate for children’s rights.

Joel Geelan has extensive experience representing clients in areas of estate planning, including wills, trusts, power of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives. In his work with family law clients, Joel handles divorce, custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, high asset division, move-away cases, grandparent and co-parent third party rights, and DHS-involved cases. He has litigated and settled numerous matters in each area. He specializes in resolving cases involving children and complex financial issues, such as valuing and dividing businesses, real estate, investments, and retirement accounts. Joel understands the complexities of family relationships. He endeavors to be an educator for...

Sean was raised in the Portland area then attended college at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where he met his wife Danielle. After college, Sean worked for Enterprise Rent A Car in Spokane and Coeur D’Alene. Managing the various aspects of contracts inspired Sean to seek a law degree. He moved back to the Portland area to attend Willamette University College of Law. There, Sean was an Associate Editor of the Law Review, received a certificate in dispute resolution and graduated with honors.

Prior to moving to Redmond in 2013, Sean worked for the Marion...

Michael S. Evans has been licensed to practice law in Oregon since 1985. He has handled a wide range of family law cases, as well as many matters involving business litigation. His knowledge of family law and business law has given him a unique perspective on how to handle the financial aspects of family law matters. Mr. Evans also has extensive experience in interstate child custody disputes. He has presented on various topics to the legal community, including child support, property division, prenuptial agreements, and more. He has been featured in the Ask the Expert column in the Oregonian.