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Rhett L Bernstein

DUI and DWI Attorney at Oregon City, OR

5.0   19 reviews
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  • Licensed for 20 years
    State OR
    Acquired 2002
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

DUII
Zach
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Excelent
anonymous
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
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About Rhett

Learn Rhett’s areas of practice.

2
Practice areas

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 various municipalities, including the cities of West Linn, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, and Milwaukie.  He was elected as the judge of the Municipal Court for the City of West Linn in 2013.

Under his management, his firm represents clients charged with the most serious of criminal charges, such as Aggravated Murder, Jessica’s Law sexual abuse allegations and those facing Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentences.

Rhett L. Bernstein prides himself on honest, clear communication so that clients quickly find empowerment through understanding their options. Clients can look forward to accessible representation, vigorous preparation, efficient conclusions and effective resolutions based on years of litigation and estate planning experience.

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By Appointment Only
219 7th St.
Oregon City, OR, 97068
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Rhett L Bernstein
1785 Willamette Falls Dr Ste 4
West Linn, OR, 97068
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  19 customer reviews
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Posted by Zach | February 22, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
DUII
Rhett was able to get the DA to drop their DUII case against me all together 100%. His assistant was very communicative throughout the process
Posted by anonymous | January 5, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excelent
Rhett helped me through a personally difficult legal situation. He was knowledgeable, thorough, understanding and very easy to communicate with. He took control of my legal situation and guided me through the process. Fee was money well spent!! Thanks Rhett. Would not hesitate to recommend his services to friends and family.
Posted by Brad | December 2, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Incredible Counsel
Mr. Bernstein did a phenomenal job on my case. I had 7 prior DUIs when I hired Mr. Bernstein for my eighth. The County of Clackamas was insisting on the maximum sentence of 1 full year in jail on this charge. However, with Mr. Bernsteins advise and his amazing litigation experience, I served 75 days and am enrolled in a long term treatment program that was long overdue. I highly recommend Mr. Bernstein for criminal defense. He knows what he is doing and I have the highest respect for him.
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Posted by Michael | September 9, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
5 stars
Mr. Bernstein went above and beyond my expectations representing me in my driving while suspended case. He made everything easy and all i had to do is show up for court. Definitely would recommend him to anyone i know needing legal assistance.
Posted by Amy | August 10, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
He worked hard at getting the best possible outcome
I truly appreciate how Mr. Bernstein gave his full attention whenever I spoke with him (in person or over the phone) and made sure I was treated as an individual rather than a "case." His prompt communication helped ease anxiety about the unknown as my case moved forward, and he was pleased to help out with a small hiccup regarding my case that occurred later on. Things could have gone very differently if he hadn't been on my side, and not in a good way. Thank you!
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Posted by anonymous | July 5, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Direct, Knowledgeable, and Accessible
I highly recommend Rhett Bernstein for legal counsel if you find yourself facing a DUII charge. He is succinct and direct in his approach, yet maintains an element of compassion (he was only lawyer during my vetting process who reminded me to put my health above the legal process and followed up to ensure I was healing). He is knowledgeable and professional with enough experience to be familiar with players in the local legal community and knows when to push boundaries. I appreciated his accessibility and excellent communication to keep me informed of progress and answer my questions, even after “business hours”. I felt well advised to make the best decisions I could with the information he helped provide. The legal process can feel lonely but at least with Mr. Bernstein, you don’t have to go it alone.
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Posted by Ivan (brother) | May 25, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great DUI defense
Rhett met with us and explained how the laws are administered, what to expect worst case and what he thought would be the outcome (my brother came out better than expected). More importantly, he promised no surprises and he delivered. The entire office was extremely professional, instilling the confidence we needed in a time when calm and reason are called for. Rhett is by far the most competent attorney we have witnessed and we will highly recommend him.
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Posted by David | May 19, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Representation
Rhett, did a good job educating us through the legal process. His expertise and council was proactive. His council assisted in representing my brother's true character despite his situation. And it also helps when your attorney's reputation is in good standing with the legal system.
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Job Well Done
Mr. Bernstein did a great job in representing me. The action was ridiculous and made me question the integrity of the legal system (still does), however, Mr. Bernstein helped me through it and showed me the best resolution for my circumstances. I would highly recommend his services, although I hope you never need them.
Posted by Julie | March 8, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Honored to call Rhett Bernstein our attorney!
Rhett Bernstein is the most incredible attorney I have ever met. My daughter had the unfortunate experience of a DUI. He immediately answered all of our questions on a level we could understand and walked us thru the process from start to finish. His knowledge of DUI's and the court system is unsurpassed! I would give Rhett Bernstein the highest recommendation possible. You will never regret the time spent having this man in your corner!!
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Posted by Sarah | March 7, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Helpful, Compassionate, and Educated
Experience, meets compassion with this attorney! Mr. Bernstein is a knowledgeable and very helpful in regards to all that is criminal law-especially when it comes to DUI in Oregon. When you are in need of someone who can assist you with the process, he's the lawyer to-turn-to. I highly recommend his service to anyone who is in need of help.
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Posted by Anthony | March 6, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank You, Mr. Bernstein
I was arrested and jailed because of a faulty alcohol monitor. I hired Mr. Bernstein to navigate the often complex court system. Efficiently and professionally, Mr. Bernstein did just that. My case is resolved favorably, and I have Rhett to thank for that. 5/5. he made my life a whole lot easier.
Posted by Andy Lima | February 23, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very dependable, he helped me so much.
I Had DUI trouble and Rhett really helped me out. He gave me great advice and put me in the best position possible, resulting in a good case result outcome!
Posted by Shirley | March 25, 2015
Estate planning
For our estate planning, Rhett met us on our level. He asked many questions to make sure he understood what our wishes were. We appreciated his non-intimidating demeanor, and his thoroughness in walking us through the process. He definitely went the extra mile to serve us well!
Posted by Steve | March 20, 2015
Client Review of Rhett
Life is Chaos and sometimes we get into situations that we should not. I had one of those situations with a DUI. I had worked with Rhett before in a similar situation with my son and found that he was very clear about what my options were, what the costs would be and what steps to take. I know I can trust Rhett and I can't say that about other attorneys that I have been exposed to in the past. Rhett was very confident in court and it was very clear he had a great rapport with judges and district attorneys. He worked out an arrangement for me that I could live with and still continue with my life and work and not have the DUI over my head in the future.
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Posted by anonymous | March 16, 2015
Outstanding...
I was referred to Rhett Bernstein in the wake a sudden loss in our family. His professionalism, compassion and competence during the estate process proved invaluable to us. Rhett’s kindness and patience was a genuine comfort and his talent as an attorney was evident in every step of the legal process. It is clear that Rhett Bernstein sees the legal profession as a form of thoughtful service to his clients and to the community. I would work with him again with confidence and complete trust.
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Posted by Scott | March 13, 2015
Honest, Diligent And A Pleasure To Work With!
I am a private investigator in Clackamas County and have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Bernstein for well over a decade. I have worked hundreds of criminal cases alongside Rhett and have always felt that he has been compassionate and understanding with all of his clients and truly operates in the best interest of Justice. I not only consider Mr. Bernstein a great colleague but a friend as well. Mr. Bernstein is a valuable asset to his profession and the court system.
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Posted by Courtney | March 13, 2015
Excellent and Knowledgeable
Mr. Bernstein has helped us on numerous occasions, including the production of our will and associated documents. He has also advised us on numerous misc legal questions over the years. He is extremely thorough and it is clear through our interractions with him that he is extremely knowledgeable. We also found him to be very personable and prompt as well. I would highly recommend him!
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Posted by Jared | March 13, 2015
Excellent to work with.
I have used Mr. Bernstein on several occasions to advise me of my legal rights with my construction company while dealing with home sales, my legal responsibilities and the as well as using him for guidance while negotiating personal/family legal issues surrounding the welfare and health of my aging parents. His knowledge on power of attorney, his support and guidance helped me make some tough decisions that were in the best interests of myself and my family. He has proven time and time again to be a consistent , honest, straight forward sounding board that has my trust. I would highly recommend Mr. Bernstein as he is a family man with high morals, easy to talk to and knows the law. For myself, my company and my family, it all boils down to the fact that he cares...has the knowledge that is necessary, is trustworthy and gets the job done.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Judge
  • City of West Linn, Oregon
  • 2013 - Present
  • Prosecuting Attorney
  • City of Milwaukie, Oregon
  • 2012 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Rhett L. Bernstein, Attorney at Law
  • 2005 - Present
  • Prosecuting Attorney
  • City of West Linn, Oregon
  • 2007 - 2013
  • Deputy District Attorney
  • Linn County District Attorney's Office
  • 2002 - 2005
View all work experience

Education

  • Lewis & Clark Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2002
  • University of Puget Sound
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1999

Legal Cases

  • State v. M.V.
  • Successfully settled the case outside of Murder
  • State of Oregon v. S. S.
  • The State dismissed the case
  • City of West Linn v. Bundy
  • Successful Prosecution of Land Use Violation

Associations

  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2015 - Present
  • Clackamas County Bar Association
  • 2005 - Present
  • Clackamas County Bar Association
  • Secretary
  • 2006 - 2006

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2016
  • Top 40 under 40
  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2016
  • Best DUI Lawyers in Portland
  • expertise.com
  • 2016
  • Client's Choice Award
  • Avvo.com
  • 2015
  • Top 40 under 40
  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2015
View all awards

Publications

View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Rosemont Ridge Middle School Career Day
  • Career Choices
  • 2014

Attorney endorsements

Received (11)
Given (11)
Endorse Rhett
Shannon Iris Wilson headshot
Shannon Wilson
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 12
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I highly endorse this lawyer."
John B. Elbert headshot
John Elbert
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I fully endorse Mr. Bernstein. He is an extremely competent and skilled attorney knowledgeable in the law and who works tirelessly for his clients."
MacDaniel E Reynolds headshot
MacDaniel Reynolds
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I've known Rhett for a number of years, and I like and respect him, both as a person, and as an attorney."
Jill L Rogers headshot
Jill Rogers
Unknown Attorney | Mar 20
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. An excellent and knowledgeable attorney who really cares about clients."
Blake Nathaniel Dore headshot
Blake Dore
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 19
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I have both consulted with Rhett on criminal defense matters and done battle with him as opposing counsel. He is well prepared, quick to respond to unexpected arguments and a great advocate for his client. I endorse his work & highly recommend him."
Daniel Patrick Woram headshot
Daniel Woram
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Rhett is conscientious, intelligent and aggressive. He is an excellent Lawyer, with an impressive resume."
Erik W Nicholson headshot
Erik Nicholson
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have had the opportunity to work with and observe Mr. Bernstein on numerous occasions. I can say without hesitation that he is one of the most thorough and diligent attorneys practicing in Oregon. I highly recommend his services to anyone in need."
John Henry Hingson III headshot
John Hingson
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 14
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Rhett has experience as a prosecutor, a criminal defense lawyer, and as a municipal court judge hearing nothing but criminal cases. To say that he is "well balanced" is an understatement!"
Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen
Unknown Attorney | Mar 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
John E. Gutbezahl headshot
John Gutbezahl
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Rhett possesses that winning combination of intelligence, quick thinking, knowledge of the law and courtroom presence that makes him a successful lawyer. I certainly endorse Rhett."
Jared Justice headshot
Jared Justice
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Bernstein for about six years. Through that time I have co-counseled with him, and learned a great deal from him. He is knowledgable in criminal defense, probate, and estate planning. Mr. Bernstein is an excellent attorney, and someone you want in your corner when faced with a legal issue."
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Ben Eder headshot
Ben Eder
DUI and DWI
MacDaniel E Reynolds headshot
MacDaniel Reynolds
DUI and DWI
John Phillip Gilroy headshot
John Gilroy
DUI and DWI
Blake Nathaniel Dore headshot
Blake Dore
Speeding and traffic ticket
Erik W Nicholson headshot
Erik Nicholson
DUI and DWI
Daniel Patrick Woram headshot
Daniel Woram
DUI and DWI
John Henry Hingson III headshot
John Hingson
DUI and DWI
Bruce Tarbox headshot
Bruce Tarbox
DUI and DWI
Squire M Bozorth headshot
Squire Bozorth
Criminal defense
John E. Gutbezahl headshot
John Gutbezahl
Criminal defense
Jared Justice headshot
Jared Justice
Criminal defense
Oregon City DUI and DWI Lawyer Rhett L Bernstein
Rhett L Bernstein
DUI and DWI Attorney
Oregon City, OR
Licensed for 20 years
Free Consultation
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