Columbia County Lawyers

I am dedicated to your defense. My practice includes the full range of criminal cases including traffic tickets, minor in possession, drug manufacture and possession charges and domestic violence (DV) charges. I also do civil matters such as no contact orders, restraining orders and forfeitures. Having defended hundreds of cases, I have a established a reputation as a zealous advocate for my clients. I focus on reaching the best possible outcome for your case - whether a plea bargain or challenging the charge at trial.

Olivia Wotman is a member of the Oregon and Washington bars. She graduated at the top of her class, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University School of Law and received her B.A. in psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara. While at Gonzaga, Olivia earned CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for receiving the highest grades in Legal Research and Writing I, II and Advanced Legal Research, among other distinct honors.

While in law school, Olivia was very active in the community, serving in a number of leadership roles, including President of the Student Organization of Victims Advocacy and Student...

Vince is a business lawyer, problem solver and dealmaker. His clients range from individual investors and entrepreneurs to widely held domestic and international corporations. Vince is Harris Sliwoski’s managing partner and he has received accolades from Super Lawyers and Chambers USA for his work. Vince strives for efficient and optimal client results in every transaction. He has expertise in business/corporate law, commercial real estate, and intellectual property law. His advice is guided by a heightened awareness of all possible outcomes: in his litigating days, Vince tried civil cases and conducted numerous arbitrations and mediations. This litigation experience helps him foresee pitfalls and...

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...

As a trial attorney for over 30 years, Geordie heads The Animal Law Practice, a nationally unique law firm engaged exclusively in the litigation, defense, and trial of animal-related disputes, crimes, and injuries in state and federal cases all across the country. His diverse clientele includes a variety of pet owners, animal shelters, recreational riders, commercial farmers, ranchers, neighborhood associations, specialty dog and cat breeders, equine stable owners, animal welfare activists, hunters and sportspeople, zoo and aquarium owners, consumers, veterinarian clients, bite and attack victims, and accused persons on neglect and abuse charges in hundreds of unique animal cases each...

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Rhett L. Bernstein received his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College with a specialized certificate in criminal law and procedure. During law school he clerked for the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office and Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Ronald Thom. He prosecuted major felonies as a deputy district attorney in the Willamette Valley before founding his law firm in the Portland area in 2005. He developed his firm to offer specialties in criminal representation, estate planning and probate. Rhett L. Bernstein has provided prosecutorial services to...

Expertise General Business & Intellectual Property Law Women-Owned & Family Businesses Commercial Litigation Mergers and Acquisitions Biotechnology & Health Care Background Ashley focuses exclusively on advising small business owners. From formation to exit, Ashley is an experienced advocate who keeps her eye on the bottom line. Like many of her clients, Ashley is an entrepreneur. After being battle-tested at a mid-sized business law firm in Portland, she and her husband Jeff realized their long-standing dream of owning their own firm. They’re now living out the advice they give their clients. Ashley focuses on providing savvy, practical advice to business owners. She’s experienced in advising...

As an attorney, I've enjoyed the opportunity to represent a variety of people trying to get through a very stressful moment in their lives. Noone wants to be brought to court, and being able to be the experienced and professional person to help them through the process is an honor and a joy. I believe in working to the greatest extent possible through collaboration and in disagreeing without being disagreeable, and I think the profession is best served when people take common-sense positions and don't fight every step of the way. After serving as the Lead Counsel for a major insurance...

Lillian Suelzle Watson became a lawyer in 2001. Lillian was born and raised in Gresham, Oregon and received her Associate's Degree from Mt. Hood Community College and her BA in Communications from Marylhurst University. She graduated from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark in December of 2000. Lillian is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the United States District Court in Oregon. She is also a member of the Multnomah Bar Association, (Family Law Estate, Planning and Debtor Creditor Sections), Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals, Oregon Mediation Association and the Gresham Chamber of...

I am a reformed litigator. While rewarding, litigation focuses on cleaning up messes due to poor planning. I knew there was a better way to practice law, and I find it much more rewarding. That better way is to serve my clients as an Estate Planning Attorney and Business Planning Attorney.

My new role is to help my clients avoid the need of a litigator’s services. Working with my personal and business clients I strive to anticipate and head off problems that far too often end up costing lots of money to deal with.

I help families, individuals and their loved...

Nathan Piers-VanderPloeg is a native Oregonian born and raised in the Portland area. He graduated with a degree in Political Science from Linfield College in 2005 and earned his law degree from the University of Oregon in 2011. While working for the Lane County District Attorney as a third-year law student, Nathan tried and won five cases, including a seven count felony jury trial. Following his graduation from law school, Nathan worked as an associate in a general litigation firm, focusing his personal practice on the areas of Employment Law, Personal Injury, and criminal defense. He has handled a...

“I feel so much better now that I’ve discussed my case with you.” That’s what people tell me after meeting with me for the first time. They feel better because I take a personal approach to the practice of law. I take the time to get to know my clients and the legal problems they are facing. After talking with me, my clients know that I genuinely want to help them. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Portland, I take a lot of pride in doing everything possible to help my clients reach the best possible outcome....

Miller Law, LLC, is a firm founded by Portland workers compensation attorney, Craig Miller. Whether you suffered a workers compensation injury on the job or a personal injury as the result of someone else (car accident, truck accident, bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, assaults, slip and falls, wrongful death, etc.), Craig can help. He understands with a life-changing injury or loss of a family member that victims and families are physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. You may be confused by insurance representatives who attempt to deny, devalue, delay, or defend your claim. Legal experience and advice...

Ricky is passionate about helping good people through difficult times, using his legal expertise, life experience, and unwavering commitment to guide clients toward the best possible outcome. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life comes naturally—shaped by his upbringing, military service, and diverse legal background. Born to Ecuadorian immigrants, Ricky grew up witnessing firsthand the power of perseverance, hard work, and resilience. His journey hasn’t been a straight path—after leaving high school, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served on active duty, including a tour in Afghanistan. That experience instilled in him discipline, adaptability, and a...

In 2004, Kenneth Bills and Matthew Driggs opened The Advocates in Seattle with a primary focus on client value and service. Ken believes strongly that a sizable law firm can be as effective at litigation as any boutique litigation firm, while also having the ability to serve large numbers of clients across Washington and Oregon. The Advocates holds these values at the center of its approach to each client’s case. If each individual is treated as though they’re the only client the firm has, everyone is better off. In his career, Ken has worked on both mass tort and personal injury...

Nick Heydenrych is an experienced litigator with over 15 years of practice in criminal defense. Throughout his career, he has represented clients across a broad spectrum of cases— handling everything from misdemeanor DUIs to complex felony cases, always with an eye toward conflict reduction and real, positive outcomes for his clients. He thrives on the challenge of finding thoughtful, client-centered solutions for the good people he represents. Prior to joining Reynolds Defense Firm, Nick served in a variety of legal roles that have shaped his multifaceted perspective. He has worked in both private and public defense settings, including as Managing Attorney...

As a trial attorney, Pete Viteznik focuses on litigation involving commercial litigation, construction, liens and payment disputes, delay of claims and insurance coverage, and construction defects for developers, owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and design professionals. He has a reputation as a skilled negotiator who consistently wins cases and settles large cost recovery claims for his clients.

Pete is recognized as one of the premier business and construction litigators in the Pacific Northwest and over the course of his 26-year career has tried and arbitrated cases throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California. He has argued and prevailed on several important...

Chad Stavley is a personal injury trial lawyer based in Portland, Oregon. He accepts cases throughout Oregon and Washington. He accepts serious injury cases involving motor vehicles, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, bicycle accidents, LYFT/UBER accidents, and trucking accidents. He also handles medical malpractice cases and cases involving denied medical care in jails or inadequate medical care given to inmates in local jails and prisons. He also handles cases where people are injured in dog attacks and where people are hurt in on-the-job incidents. Chad has recovered millions of dollars for his clients, including: - $3.55...

I offer entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the owners of those businesses, access to straightforward, cost-effective, and responsive legal services for the three major stages of a business's lifecycle: the startup, the operation, and the transition (such as a sale, transfer or closing down) of the business. For clients, this means access to a top notch, experienced attorney focused exclusively on the types of transactional issues that directly affect your business.

Attorney at Betts Patterson Mines, focusing on trusts & estate planning; probate and trust administration; charitable giving and planning; business succession planning; planning for special needs; advise on income, estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer tax; guardianships and conservatorships; federal and state estate tax returns.

I'm a trial lawyer who practices civil litigation, including commercial and personal injury law. I defend individuals and companies against lawsuits, and I also bring lawsuits on behalf of injured individuals.

I am a Portland, Oregon lawyer specializing in personal injury claims and lawsuits. Please call me or visit my website: www.dawlaw.net. I offer free consultations at 503-919-1315.

Lauren Barnhart grew up in Tacoma, Washington with her mom, three brothers and a village of aunts and uncles. Lauren learned at an early age that hard work and creative solutions can allow you to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Lauren realized early on that she would need to find her own way to pay for college, so by her senior year, she had secured a full-ride music scholarship to a four-year university, and performed in Carnegie Hall as the principal bassoonist in the Tacoma Youth Symphony. Lauren entered law school with lofty ambitions of bringing international war criminals to justice, but...

Portland Immigration Law is based in Portland, Oregon but serves clients around the world. We specialize in family reunification and fiance visas, asylum, deportation defense, and analyzing the immigration consequences of criminal charges. Immigration lawyer Cole Enabnit speaks Spanish, Russian, and English and proudly serves clients in all three languages.

Since 1996, Paul’s professional focus has been litigation of serious injury and insurance-related disputes. He holds a prestigious “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell©, demonstrating that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional and ethical excellence.

During his first 13 years in practice, Paul defended insurance companies. However, in 2009 Paul moved his practice from a downtown skyscraper to the suburbs. Since then, he has been privileged to represent good people injured by the negligence of others. Paul litigates insurance disputes, injury claims, cases arising from motor vehicle and motorcycle collisions, cases arising from dog attacks, and cases arising from...

Leah Johnson is a seasoned personal injury attorney with a deep commitment to guiding clients through the complexities of the legal system and the often daunting world of insurance claims, all with the aim of securing the best possible outcome for them. With more than 20 years of experience, Leah has a rich background in the legal field, including numerous trials and appeals, over a hundred arbitrations and mediations, and countless depositions. Her expertise spans various personal injury cases, such as auto, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents, as well as incidents involving unsafe conditions like slippery floors or poorly designed roads, and...

Candace was born overseas and her father is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She fondly remembers watching him take the oath of citizenship while waving her American flag. He inspires her love for immigration. She grew up in Oregon, but she loves to travel and meet new people from all over the world. She is married to Matthew, an elementary PE teacher, and together they have three small children. Candace graduated from Willamette University College of Law. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon where she graduated with departmental honors. She is a member of the Oregon...

Molly was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She received her law degree from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During law school, Molly was a judicial student extern at the San Francisco Immigration Court and was also a Stronach Women’s Rights Fellow at the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS). Before attending law school, Molly was a Fulbright Research Scholar in Granada, Spain and a volunteer...

From the start of his legal career, Brian has focused exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death litigation in Portland. As a skilled advocate both in and out of the courtroom, Brian is passionate about guiding clients through some of the most challenging times in their lives. Having experienced the fear, pain, and uncertainty that follow an injury firsthand, Brian understands the emotional and physical toll it takes—an insight that helps him build compelling personal injury cases. Brian is deeply involved in the legal community and serves as an elected, voting member of the Oregon State Bar House of Delegates for...

Rose L. Hubbard, Attorney at Law has 35 years of experience tackling family law matters, including complex cases involving divorce, modification, child support/custody, spousal support, paternity, and grandparent rights. We can also assist with wills and estate planning to help ensure that your assets and properties are protected. As skilled advocates, we are adept at finding balanced, favorable resolutions to disputes. Through mediation, negotiation, all the way to a trial, our attorneys personally guide you through your legal issue with compassion and hands-on support. We explain to you what you can expect every step of the way, and give...

Lewis Landerholm grew up around family who served the public – families in particular. He became a divorce attorney in Portland so that he can help these individuals make the best out of a difficult situation. He began his career at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He went on to Willamette University College of Law for his Juris Doctor. While in law school, he served as a part time law clerk, where he earned invaluable experience. Attorney Landerholm is quickly making a name for himself as a dedicated family law attorney because of...

Conveniently Located
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Chandler is a passionate criminal defense attorney who is deeply committed to justice, fairness, and safeguarding individual rights. Her journey into the legal field began at an early age, having been raised in a family deeply involved in law, particularly her father's practice. This early exposure sparked a lasting interest in criminal law, leading her to proudly follow in her father’s professional footsteps. Before becoming an attorney at Gilroy Napoli Short, Chandler gained practical experience working as a certified law clerk with the firm, where she spent significant time in Oregon courtrooms. Her dedication to justice also inspired her to...

Jenna Richards is a dedicated criminal defense attorney with a strong commitment to advocating for individuals navigating the criminal justice system. She has extensive experience handling a wide range of cases, from minor violations and misdemeanors to complex felonies and Measure 11 charges. Before joining Gilroy Napoli Short, Jenna served as a criminal defense attorney in Washington County, where she managed both court-appointed and private cases and worked on the county’s Early Case Resolution (ECR) docket. Her substantial courtroom experience spans criminal courts throughout Oregon, and she approaches each case with compassion and collaboration, always striving to achieve the best...

Joseph's formative experiences have deeply influenced his dedication to justice and advocacy. During his law studies, he gained practical skills as a certified law clerk with Gilroy Napoli Short, where he acquired hands-on courtroom experience across California. This opportunity allowed him to navigate complex legal procedures and sharpen his understanding of the criminal justice system. His clerkship with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office further enhanced his analytical abilities and strengthened his commitment to defending individual rights. As an Oregon criminal defense and DUI lawyer, Joseph is steadfast in his commitment to providing every client with a fair trial and a...

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...