Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.7 /5.0
45 Client Reviews
$ 175-450 per hour
About James
Biography
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.
Simple, understandable plans for estates of all sizes. 42+ years experience. Call for free consultation
Simple, understandable solutions to trust issues. 42+ years experience. Call for free consultation
Simple, understandable solutions to real estate issues. 42+ years experience. Call for free consultation
Simple, understandable solutions to business issues, 42+ years experience. Call for free consultation
Simple, understandable solutions to tax issues. 42+ years experience. Call for free consultation
Simple - Understandable Solutions to your Legal Problems. 42+ years experience. Call for free consultation
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
25%
46 years | 500 cases
Business
20%
46 years | 600 cases
Real Estate
20%
46 years | 300 cases
Tax
20%
46 years | 300 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 17 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Licensed in Oregon for 23 years
State: Oregon
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in Illinois for 45 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Licensed in Virginia for 46 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of James Oberholtzer
1500 SW First Avenue, Suite 800, Portland, OR, 97201
oberholtz.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find James online.
James Oberholtzer's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (43)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Margie | October 02, 2011 | Probate
Caring, Patient, Ethical, Knowledgeable and Experienced Probate Attorney
After I was appointed as personal representative of my sister's estate, James and I worked very hard together to carry out the terms of the will. The will was difficult to interpret and their were many obstacles to overcome. James was right there helping me deal with each obstacle for a positive outc...
Posted by anonymous | August 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Probate
Unprofessional, lacking accountability
Consulted and hired by my attorney on my behalf to handle ancillary probate in Illinois where Oberholtzer has an office. My attorney asked Oberholtzer if he was willing to handle my ancillary probate in February. He agreed to do so. Multiple attempts to contact went unanswered. Six months later he ...
James Oberholtzer's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Oberholtzer is widely considered to be one of the best Estate Planning attorneys practicing today."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Truly excellent lawyer. Well respected in the legal 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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Heather Harriman
Litigation lawyer
Joanne Reisman
Real estate lawyer
Michael Shevick
Family lawyer
C Stephens
Child custody lawyer
Jonathan Mishkin
Tax lawyer
Deborah Le Meitour
Child custody lawyer
Daniel Margolin
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2020
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1995
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2000 - Present
Partner, Rohlfing & Oberholtzer
1995 - Present
President, James Oberholtzer, Chtd.
1986 - 1995
Income Partner, Cowan & Minetz
1980 - 1985
General Counsel, Jewish Family & Community Service of Metro Chicago
Associations
2008 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
1980 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2007 - 2012
Oregon State BarDelegate
1986 - 1989
Chicago Hull House Social Service AgencyHousing Committee member
1984 - 1995
Chicago Bar AssociationChair and founder of co-ed soccer league
1982 - 1995
American Immigration Lawyers Associationmember refuge committee
1981 - 1982
Chicago Bar AssociationChair of Child Abuse & Neglect Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
In re: Estate of Helen Steele
Successful administration
In re: Estate of Hafeman
Successful administration
Education
1985
DePaul University College of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
1979
Washington and Lee University
J.D.
1975
Earlham College
A.B.
1973
California Polythechnic University at Pomona
Speaking Engagements
2013
The Complete Trust Course
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
2013
LawReviewCLE Seminar
Estate Planning
2012
LawReview CLE Seminar
Estate Planning
2008
Seminar Arbor School APT
Family Estate Planning
2003
Estate Planning Seminar
Estate Planning for Singles
2002
Seminar for Metropolitan Family Service
Estate Planning for Social Workers
1985
Committe on Mental Health Chicago Bar Association
Confidentiality of Mental Health Records
1984
National Conference
Confidentiality of Mental Health Records
1983
Annual Meeting
Legal Liability of Clinical Social Workers
Publications
2011
Oregon State Bar Taxation Section Newsletter
S Corporation Inadvertent Terminations
Languages
French
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How do we set up a revocable trust with more than $1 million in assets? We live in Portland Oregon.
06 Nov 2025
Q&A
Will I qualify for the capital gains exemption ?
25 Oct 2025
Q&A
Can i make legally binding contracts with my polyamorous partners about dividing my assets?
21 Oct 2025
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Hobby Loss: Not just horse racing
02 Feb 2018
Legal Guide
IRS Hobby Loss Deductions Rules
06 Jan 2018
Legal Guide
Save Money with the Child Tax Credit
21 Feb 2013