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Kathleen O'Brien

Adoption Attorney at Portland, OR

5.0   4 reviews
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  • State Years
    Oregon - OR 40 years
    Washington - WA 21 years
  • Licensed for 40 years
    State OR
    Acquired 1983
    Status
    Active No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 21 years
    State WA
    Acquired 2002
    Status
    Voluntarily Resigned No misconduct found

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

Amazing
Amy
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Understanding, patient and respectful.
Hilary
Read more reviews

About Kathleen

Learn Kathleen’s areas of practice.

2
Practice areas
  1. 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.

    40 years, 1,500 cases

  2. 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.

    40 years, 1,000 cases

Welcome to my Avvo profile.  I am a graduate of both Oregon State University (go Beavers!) and the University of Oregon School of Law (go Ducks!). I have maintained a law practice in SE or NE Portland since June 1983. I speak Spanish and have familiarity with other languages, which makes me sensitive to the needs of non-native English speakers. I lived in Asia for more than a year. My two children are grown and live in SE Portland.

 

I do my best to treat all people fairly in all respects, and to help you people through the challenges of the legal system without undue cost or delay. 

 

I was elected to the Oregon State Bar House of Delegates by my peers, and I have served on the Board of Directors of Oregon Women Lawyers.

 

The most important skills I bring to my job as a lawyer are honesty, trustworthiness, intelligence (all kinds), and a high level of oral and written communication skills.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Please feel free to call me at. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Photos and videos

Beautiful painting of Portland waterfront by Oregon artist Stephen Bergstrom, formerly of the Ford Building
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Photos and videos

Beautiful painting of Portland waterfront by Oregon artist Stephen Bergstrom, formerly of the Ford Building
from the movie, "Special," by Cime Bruce, filmed in Portland, 2008
Bicentennial celebration, Washington, D.C., July 3, 1976 (I was not actually in the parade, but this float was!)
with my daughter at her college graduation, 2007
Montana High School girls' golf championships, 2nd place, 1973; 3rd place, 1971 (did not compete, as I was an exchange student, 1972).

Contact Kathleen

Similar lawyers nearby

Kathleen O'Brien, Attorney at Law
2505 SE 11th Avenue, Suite 316
The Ford Building, SE 11th and Division
Portland, OR, 97202
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OregonAdoption.com
The Ford Building, Suite 316
2505 SE 11th Ave.
Portland, OR, 97202
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  4 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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4 Star
 
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Posted by Amy | April 5, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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 only 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!!
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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 with 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.
Read less
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.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 60 minutes
  • Hourly Rates $ 150-195 per hour
  • Contingency 30%-33%
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 7.8 (Very Good)

Work Experience

  • Kathleen O'Brien, Attorney at Law
  • 2007 - Present
  • Extra, Season Two
  • "Portlandia" TV Show
  • 2010 - 2010
  • Extra
  • "Special," a film by Cime Bruce, filmed in Portland
  • 2008 - 2008
  • Program Director
  • Mental Health Association of Oregon, Oregon Advocacy Center (Disabiilty Rights Oregon)
  • 2000 - 2001
  • Partner
  • Wittrock & O'Brien, P.C., Attorneys at Law, Portland, Oregon
  • 1983 - 2007
  • Associate
  • Ding and Ding Law Offices, Taiwan
  • 1981 - 1981
  • Teacher, English language
  • China Electronics Corporation, Taiwan
  • 1980 - 1981
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Oregon Legislative Assembly
  • 1977 - 1979
  • Intern
  • FDIC, Washington, D.C.
  • 1976 - 1976
  • EXTRA. "Also starring" Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson
  • "Missouri Breaks" movie filmed in Montana
  • 1975 - 1975
View all work experience

Education

  • University of Oregon School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1980
  • Oregon State University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts with high honors
  • 1977

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
View all legal cases

Associations

  • PAIMI Council
  • Attorney Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2002 - Present
  • Oregon Women Lawyers
  • Member
  • 1990 - Present
  • Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
  • Member
  • 1984 - Present
  • Oregon State Bar
  • Member
  • 1983 - Present
  • Multnomah Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1983 - Present
  • American Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2010 - 2011
  • Oregon State Bar Sustainability Section
  • Member
  • 2010 - 2011
  • Oregon State Bar, Elder Law Section
  • Member
  • 2008 - 2010
  • Oregon State Bar, House of Delegates
  • Elected Delegate
  • 1999 - 2002
  • Oregon Women Lawyers
  • Board of Directors
  • 1996 - 1999
  • Oregon State Bar, Disability Law Section
  • Executive Board
  • 1995 - 1999
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish

Honors and Awards

  • Dean Search Committee Member
  • University of Oregon School of Law
  • 1979
  • Oregon Law Review
  • University of Oregon School of Law
  • 1979
  • Second Prize
  • ASCAP Nathan Burkan Memorial Writing Competition
  • 1978
  • Phi Kappa Phi honor society
  • Oregon State University
  • 1977
  • University Honors Program
  • Oregon State University
  • 1977
  • All-University Scholastic Awards
  • Oregon State University
  • 1976
View all awards

Publications

  • Oregon State Bar Bulletin
  • "Women in the Law"
  • 2007
  • Serving Justice: A History of the Oregon State Bar 1890-2000
  • House of Delegates presentation, Oregon State Bar convention, Seaside, 1999
  • 2004
  • Oregon State Bar Bulletin
  • "Women in the Law"
  • 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 Law Review
  • "Access to the Past: Opening Oregon's Adoption Records" (selected for publication; unpublished)
  • 1979
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Women in the Law
  • A Roundtable Discussion by Selected Representatives from OSB Classes of 1973 and 1983
  • 2007
  • OSB Continuing Legal Education seminar, Portland
  • "Representing Clients with Personality Disorders"
  • 2000

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (2)
Endorse Kathleen
Lake James H Perriguey headshot
Lake James Perriguey
General practice Attorney | Aug 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Experienced, professional and insightful. Top notch!"
Portland Adoption Lawyer Kathleen O'Brien
Kathleen O'Brien
Adoption Attorney
Portland, OR
Licensed for 40 years
Free Consultation
View Contact Info