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James Oberholtzer

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James Oberholtzer
James Oberholtzer
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About James

Simple, understandable plans for estates of all sizes. 30 yrs experience. Call for free consultation

Background:  I was raised in Tucson, Arizona and Whittier, California.   I opened our Chicago, Illinois office in 1995 and the Portland, Oregon office in 2001.  Our family is 13th generation members of the Society of Friends (people known as "Quakers").  While attending Whittier High School, I was an Eagle Scout, an AFS exchange student to Malaysia and the section head for percussion for the WHS Marching Band (we marched in the 1968 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC for Richard Nixon).

 

I enjoy playing music (piano, guitar and percussion), sailing, soccer (including futsol), T'ai Chi Chuan, hiking (I hiked up the South Sister, Oregon summit recently), skiing, snorkeling, classic languages (mostly Latin), databases (particularly Filemaker), web page design and wikis.

 

I was the president of the Arbor Parent Teacher organization for the Arbor School in Tualatin, Oregon that all three of my children attended.

Practice areas

OtherReal estateTaxBusinessEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 25%

    40 years, 500 cases

  2. Business: 20%

    40 years, 600 cases

  3. Tax: 20%

    40 years, 300 cases

  4. Real estate: 20%

    40 years, 300 cases

  1. Trusts: 15%

    40 years, 500 cases

Languages spoken

French

Photos and videos

1496795 1319002876

1496795 1583960410

1496795 1583960499

Contact

1500 SW First Avenue
address map

1500 SW First Avenue
Suite 800
Portland, OR, 97201

Website
http://www.oberholtz.com/

James Oberholtzer, Chartered

211 West Wacker Drive
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL, 60606

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
WAActive200810/18/2020
ORActive200211/09/2020
ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law198009/12/2020
VAAuthorized to Practice Law197902/13/2017
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers751
Legal guides38
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
AV RatedMartindale-Hubbell2020
AV RatedMartindale-Hubbell2011
AV RatedMartindale-Hubbell1995
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
PartnerRohlfing & Oberholtzer2000 - Present
PresidentJames Oberholtzer, Chtd.1995 - Present
Income PartnerCowan & Minetz1986 - 1995
General CounselJewish Family & Community Service of Metro Chicago1980 - 1985
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Washington State Bar AssociationMember2008 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember1980 - Present
Oregon State BarDelegate2007 - 2012
Chicago Hull House Social Service AgencyHousing Committee member1986 - 1989
Chicago Bar AssociationChair and founder of co-ed soccer league1984 - 1995
American Immigration Lawyers Associationmember refuge committee1982 - 1995
Chicago Bar AssociationChair of Child Abuse & Neglect Committee1981 - 1982
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Oregon State Bar Taxation Section NewsletterS Corporation Inadvertent Terminations2011
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
DePaul University College of LawLL.M - Master of Laws1985
Washington and Lee UniversityJ.D.1979
Earlham CollegeA.B.1975
California Polythechnic University at PomonaN/A1973
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
LawReviewCLE SeminarEstate Planning2013
The Complete Trust CourseRevocable and Irrevocable Trusts2013
LawReview CLE SeminarEstate Planning2012
Seminar Arbor School APTFamily Estate Planning2008
Estate Planning SeminarEstate Planning for Singles2003
Seminar for Metropolitan Family ServiceEstate Planning for Social Workers2002
Committe on Mental Health Chicago Bar AssociationConfidentiality of Mental Health Records1985
National ConferenceConfidentiality of Mental Health Records1984
Annual MeetingLegal Liability of Clinical Social Workers1983
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
In re: Estate of Helen SteeleSuccessful administration
In re: Estate of HafemanSuccessful administration

Reviews

(26)
5 Star
96%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review James Oberholtzer

James is easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable.

Posted by

James explained to me the nuances of trust deed issues, as well as title subtlety. I was very satisfied with the way he explained the situation from the other point of view. In my opinion, James will quickly explain the situation so that u won't waste money and effort pursuing legal action.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Great Consultation

Posted by

James was very helpful and patient with me as we went over his suggested course of action pertaining to a lease payment dispute. I highly recommend talking with him.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Professional and helpful

Posted by

I was searching for an attorney to help a friend with an estate matter. Mr. Oberholtzer was one of the few attorneys who responded to my queries. He was patient with my complicated explanation and my questions; I appreciated that very much. I also appreciated his graciousness and understanding when my friend later decided to put her plans on hold. Had she wanted to proceed, we would have hired him.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Helpful

Posted by

Does not do conservatorship, but was super helpful pointing me in the right direction and gave me other pro tips on finding a will. This guy is smart and super nice.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Experienced, straight forward and honest advice.

Posted by

Mr. Oberholtzer provided me with some greatly needed direction and advice. I am new to the Oregon coast and am not familiar with it's history nor legal differences compared to where I am from in Arizona. I would not hesitate to use this attorney if I require his services in the future.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Business Litigation

Posted by

I work as General Counsel for a Missouri company. Mr. Oberholtzer immediately returned my call and had good knowledge of the litigation matter in a very short matter of time. He offered inciteful solutions and suggestions. He was knowledgeable of the legal community in Portland. Very helpful consultation.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Invaluable Assistance With a Real Estate Matter

Posted by

My husband and I recently consulted with James Oberholtzer concerning a dispute with a neighbor over a driveway easement and property boundary. We found Mr. Oberholtzer not only exceptionally knowledgeable and competent, but very amiable and easy to talk with. An hour's friendly and informative consultation with him sent us in the right direction in dealing with our neighbors, as well as providing us with several options, possible outcomes, and costs. The wealth of information that Mr. Oberholtzer provided us with during this first, hour-long, consultation was worth a great deal to us, yet there was no cost. We will be engaging Mr. Oberholtzer again for assistance with future real estate matters, and have every confidence in his capabilities and effectiveness.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Great for probate help

Posted by

Very easy to speak with highly recommend I wish I spoke with James earlier in the process
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Incredibly Helpful and Honest

Posted by

I consulted with Mr. Oberholtzer today regarding a pending case that my business is involved in and I must say, he was the most honest and helpful attorney I've spoken to through all of this. He took time, listened and seemed to truly care about the case. I would recommend him to any business.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Very helpful consultation

Posted by

I had a concern which required a legal advice. Mr. Oberholtzer got back to me with the phone call, asked me several questions and provided extremely helpful advice on how to resolve my issue in the fastest and most correct manner. I am very pleased with his expertise and level of service.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(7)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Michael Dwan, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 10, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Oberholtzer is widely considered to be one of the best Estate Planning attorneys practicing today.

Christian Lassen

Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.

Tatiana Kadetskaya

Truly excellent lawyer. Well respected in the legal community.

Michael Doland, Business Attorney on Dec 21, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

When a business lawyer endorses a business lawyer he means it. The answers of Mr. Oberholtzer are consistenly, clear, accurate, analytic and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that any client would be looking for in retaining legal services.

Jonathan Mishkin, Tax Attorney on Oct 19, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Jim is an extremely conscientious and intelligent lawyer. We have had excellent discussions about how to approach client issues in the field of taxation. I would recommend his services without hesitation.

Daniel Margolin, Business Attorney on May 4, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. Jim has been a fantastic source of information for me. I have a domestic relations practice and Jim always has the answer, and usually a very common sense one, to any tax or business question that comes up in my cases.

Lawrence Stark, Trusts Attorney on Apr 23, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer's work. He is an expert in Wills & Trusts, as well as commercial & residential real estate. I recommend Jim without hesitation.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$175-$450/hour
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card