Kathleen O'Brien

Kathleen O'Brien

5.0
Rating: 2.8

Licensed for 42 years

Adoption Lawyer at Portland, OR
Practice Areas: Adoption, Personal Injury

2505 SE 11th Avenue, Suite 316, The Ford Building, SE 11th and Division, Portland, OR

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
See Details

About Kathleen

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Adoption 70%

Alll types of adoptions of children and adults, intra-family, step-parent, grandparent adoption, aunt/uncle; other relatives. Finalization of DHS and other state adoptions for residents of Oregon, Finalization of foreign adoption, Independent (private) adoptions, open adoption, surrogate adoption, agency adoption, interstate adoption, same-sex couples, adoption law questions; rights.

42 years | 1,500 cases

70%
Personal Injury 30%

Auto accidents, negligence, dog bites, wrongful death, Representation of children. I speak Spanish (se habla espanol). Extensive experience working with people who have special needs and abilities. My office is close-in SE Portland at 11th and Division. Free.parking. No charge for first office consultation.

42 years | 1,000 cases

30%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 150-195 per hour

Contingency

30%-33%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Oregon for 42 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1983

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2025

Licensed in Washington for 23 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2002

Voluntarily Resigned

Location

Kathleen O'Brien, Attorney at Law

2505 SE 11th Avenue, Suite 316, The Ford Building, SE 11th and Division, Portland, OR, 97202

OregonAdoption.com

The Ford Building, Suite 316, 2505 SE 11th Ave., Portland, OR, 97202

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Kathleen O'Brien's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (4)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Amy | April 5, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Amazing

Kathleen has made my nightmare of an experience much easier. My soon to be ex who adopted my daughter as a step parent changed his mind about being responsible for her once our marraige dissolved. Nobody knew how to handle this. I called so many lawyers. Kathleen was the first lawyer that did. Not on...ly that, but her prices are reasonable and she has held my hand and made me feel supported through all of it. She also showed personal concern for all of us, proving that she actually cared about what was best for our family. She has always been great about quick responses, and has never shown any irritation towards my stupid questions or multiple phone calls. I would recommend and use her again if ever needed!!

Posted by Hilary | December 6, 2013

Understanding, patient and respectful.

Kathleen is so easy to work with -- She's a terrific listener and provides solid and super informed advice. I like that she breaks lawyer-speak into easily-accessible concepts I can understand. She has a lifetime of experience and I trust her completely.

Posted by Miriam | April 10, 2010

Trustworthy and Compassionate, Kathleen Gets Results

I hired Kathleen to handle my personal injury case because I trust her. I first interviewed a 'baracuda' lawyer. He said my 'soft tissue' injury case was worth maybe $10,000. Kathleen supported my getting an MRI which showed damage. In her non-confrontational way, Kathleen established a rapport w...ith the insurance adjuster, and settled my case (without going to trial) for $22,000. I work as a legal assistant and know many attorneys. I chose to work with Kathleen and I do not regret that decision.

Posted by John | April 2, 2010

The Best Adoption Lawyer in Portland

Upon first contact with Kathleen, she was quickly responsive, demonstrated that she knew exactly what to do, and knew her way around the courts and judicial system. Everything happened much quicker than I expected, and when roadblocks came in the way, she quickly figured out how to get around them. I... am still amazed at how she came up with workable options for complicated legal issues or problems. Kathleen is a wonderful person, and even though it has been a few years since my adoption was granted, we have still kept in contact. Kathleen has been blessing in my life.

See All Client Reviews

Kathleen O'Brien's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kathleen
Lake James H Perriguey headshot
Lake James Perriguey

General practice lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Experienced, professional and insightful. Top notch!"

View All Endorsements
John T Wittrock headshot
John Wittrock

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Experience

Rating:  2.8 (Strong Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025.

Suspension - Disciplinary issued in OR, 2025

updated on 09/19/2025

This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Honors

1979

Dean Search Committee Member, University of Oregon School of Law

1979

Oregon Law Review, University of Oregon School of Law

1978

Second Prize, ASCAP Nathan Burkan Memorial Writing Competition

1977

Phi Kappa Phi honor society, Oregon State University

1977

University Honors Program, Oregon State University

1976

All-University Scholastic Awards, Oregon State University

Work Experience

2007 - Present

, Kathleen O'Brien, Attorney at Law

2010 - 2010

Extra, Season Two, "Portlandia" TV Show

2008 - 2008

Extra, "Special," a film by Cime Bruce, filmed in Portland

2000 - 2001

Program Director, Mental Health Association of Oregon, Oregon Advocacy Center (Disabiilty Rights Oregon)

1983 - 2007

Partner, Wittrock & O'Brien, P.C., Attorneys at Law, Portland, Oregon

1981 - 1981

Associate, Ding and Ding Law Offices, Taiwan

1980 - 1981

Teacher, English language, China Electronics Corporation, Taiwan

1977 - 1979

Legislative Assistant, Oregon Legislative Assembly

1976 - 1976

Intern, FDIC, Washington, D.C.

1975 - 1975

EXTRA. "Also starring" Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson, "Missouri Breaks" movie filmed in Montana

Associations

2011 - Present

PAIMI Council

Attorney Member

2002 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

1990 - Present

Oregon Women Lawyers

Member

1984 - Present

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association

Member

1983 - Present

Oregon State Bar

Member

1983 - Present

Multnomah Bar Association

Member

2010 - 2011

American Bar Association

Member

2010 - 2011

Oregon State Bar Sustainability Section

Member

2008 - 2010

Oregon State Bar, Elder Law Section

Member

1999 - 2002

Oregon State Bar, House of Delegates

Elected Delegate

1996 - 1999

Oregon Women Lawyers

Board of Directors

1995 - 1999

Oregon State Bar, Disability Law Section

Executive Board

Sample of Legal Cases

Adoption

Judgment of Adoption

In Re B.G.S.

Child returned to birth father after placement.

Ohland v. Niles

Court trial: $750,000 Judgment to plaintiff

Washburn v. Holbrook

Jury verdict in excess of $100,000

Kruggel v. Lupton

Jury verdict for plaintiff for $75,000

In Re: F.J.

Successful Conclusion of International Adoption

In Re: V.B.

Successful

Smith v. Safeway, Inc.

Settlement $100,000

In Re A.D., a minor child

Settlement

In Re D.B.

Successful Independent Adoption

In Re Scotty

Successful

See More Legal Cases

Education

1980

University of Oregon School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1977

Oregon State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts with high honors

Speaking Engagements

2007

Women in the Law

A Roundtable Discussion by Selected Representatives from OSB Classes of 1973 and 1983

2000

OSB Continuing Legal Education seminar, Portland

"Representing Clients with Personality Disorders"

Publications

2007

Oregon State Bar Bulletin "Women in the Law"

2004

Serving Justice: A History of the Oregon State Bar 1890-2000 House of Delegates presentation, Oregon State Bar convention, Seaside, 1999

1997

Oregon Women and the Law; Oregon Commission on Women, publisher "Special Education"

1997

Oregon Women and the Law, Oregon Commission on Women, publisher "Adoption"

1997

Oregon State Bar Bulletin "Women in the Law"

1979

Oregon Law Review "Access to the Past: Opening Oregon's Adoption Records" (selected for publication; unpublished)

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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