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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. 42+ years 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.

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Practice areas

OtherReal estateTaxBusinessEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 25%

    41 years, 500 cases

  2. Business: 20%

    41 years, 600 cases

  3. Tax: 20%

    41 years, 300 cases

  4. Real estate: 20%

    41 years, 300 cases

  1. Trusts: 15%

    41 years, 500 cases

Languages spoken

French

Photos and videos

1496795 1319002876

1496795 1583960410

1496795 1583960499

Contact

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
    WAActive200811/13/2021
    ORActive200211/15/2021
    ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law198010/05/2021
    VAAuthorized to Practice Law197902/13/2017
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers781
    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
    The Complete Trust CourseRevocable and Irrevocable Trusts2013
    LawReviewCLE SeminarEstate Planning2013
    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

    (32)5.0 stars
    5 Star
    		97%
    4 Star
    		0%
    3 Star
    		3%
    2 Star
    		0%
    1 Star
    		0%
    Review James Oberholtzer

    James is easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable.

    5.0 stars

    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

    5.0 stars

    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

    Bold, direct help

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    I had some questions surrounding tax law and divorce. My husband has been trying to steamroll the process and James Oberholtzer gave me the tough love pep talk I really needed. During our conversation, he provided me with a few points of information that I really needed and helped me outline a plan to move forward.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Knowledgable & Helpful!

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    James helped me with some audit questions and I'm extremely happy I gave him a call! Will be using him if I need representation. He's very easy to talk to and answers all of your questions while providing excellent legal advice and insight. I would feel very comfortable and confident with James representing me.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Honesty and Integrity

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Mr. Oberholtzer was very helpful in providing some guidance on a tax issue that he felt could be handled on my own. He briefly outlined the process I could expect and the actions I would need to take. I appreciate the time he took to listen and understand the situation and am grateful for his honest advice.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    James answer your call when you call and give you strategies that saves you 1000s dollars

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    I consulted James, He answered my call and answered my all specific questions and show me what strategies to follow. Best attorney to go with before buy anything
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Experienced and Trustworthy

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    We've been working with James and his team for a while now and have been very impressed. He is extremely professional, attentive and patient. He breaks down the legal mumbo-jumbo so that it is digestible. I've enjoyed not only his legal advice but some words of wisdom about life in general. He helped us to navigate the challenges legally and emotionally of transitioning a family business. His experience and knowing we have a lawyer that we can trust is worth EVERY penny. He showed us great dedication in meeting a very tight deadline, working all hours of the night...even when it was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We interviewed a lot of really great lawyers, but are so happy we chose to go with James and are very grateful for all that he and his team have done for us.
    More
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Very Helpful and Intelligent

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    I recently consulted with Mr. Oberholtzer regarding a tax question about my retirement account. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided different options that I could pursue. I did not feel that he was wasting my time, and I was happy with the information he provided. I would have no problem hiring him in the future.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Professional and helpful

    5.0 stars

    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.
    More
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Helpful

    5.0 stars

    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
    See all reviews

    Attorney endorsements

    (7)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
    Lawyer Michael Timothy Dwan

    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.

    Lawyer Christian K. Lassen II

    Christian Lassen, Unknown Attorney on Jun 29, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

    Lawyer Michael Timothy Dwan

    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.

    Lawyer Christian K. Lassen II

    Christian Lassen, Unknown Attorney on Jun 29, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

    Lawyer Tatiana Kadetskaya

    Tatiana Kadetskaya, Unknown Attorney on Jun 26, 2013
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Truly excellent lawyer. Well respected in the legal community.

    Lawyer Michael Charles Doland

    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.

    Lawyer Jonathan D Mishkin

    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.

    Lawyer Daniel S Margolin

    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.

    No photo

    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