Laura E Vaught

Laura E Vaught

4.6
Rating: 7.9

Licensed for 29 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Portland, OR
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts ... +2 more

1100 SW 6th Ave Ste 1504, Portland, OR

About Laura

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Guardianship 10%

30 years

10%
Business 5%

30 years

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 17 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2008

Administrative Suspension

No misconduct found

Licensed in Colorado for 29 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 1997

Dismissed

No misconduct found

Licensed in Oregon for 29 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1996

Suspended - Non-Disciplinary

No misconduct found

Location

Smith Mcdonald & Vaught, LLP

1100 SW 6th Ave Ste 1504, Portland, OR, 97204

Law Offices of Laura E Vaught

1100 SW 6th Ave Ste 1504, Portland, OR, 97204

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Laura E Vaught's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

5 star (8)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Mike | March 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Lots of excuses, confusion, delays, and little results.

Was asked to review newly revised estate and trust documents. She criticized the previous work, but ultimately didn’t change anything. 90% of scheduled meetings were cancelled or rescheduled. Lots of excuses used, not focused. We now have a $4+ invoice with only one (4 page) Trust cert document.

Posted by Pat Welch | June 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Effective and Responsive

I have had the pleasure of working with Laura Vaught over the last several years to create both an estate plan for my immediate family as well as to find resolution for several complicated estate documents for my extended family. I have had a lot of experience with other attorneys in the past, often... paying double the hourly rate for half the work and attention to detail. Laura and her office are responsive, thoughtful, and economical. She is able to take difficult concepts and translate them into clear, simple, and comprehensible solutions which result in an affordable and effective plan. I have referred many friends and business colleagues to Laura and will continue to do so.

Posted by Bruce | October 27, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Professional, Thorough and Compassionate

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Laura on our estate and future health care planning. We presented her with several challenging issues which she handled beautifully. She also addressed tax issues which we had not even considered. We feel fortunate that Laura was recommended to us by peo...ple whose judgment we respect.

Posted by anonymous | August 5, 2015

Perceptive, Gracious, Experienced

Laura is truly a genuine person. She is extremely knowledgeable and thorough in what she does. Her diplomacy and high regard for her clients show from the moment you meet her. She has a true kindness and knows how to help you through a most difficult time for handling the estate of a loved one. W...e have recommended her over and over, knowing that she would treat others as she has treated us. Laura explains everything in a manner that is easily understandable and concise. We feel great pleasure in knowing she will handle our estate for our children.

Posted by Barbara | August 3, 2015

Estate Planning and Support

Ignore all the lawyer jokes you have ever heard as Laura is 180 degrees opposite of the bad lawyer stereotype. I was referred to Laura following a very poor experience with a firm that, as just one example, charged $93.00 for a 70-second phone call. Laura is caring and sensitive and most importantl...y, she understood my situation and offered excellent advice from the very start. Her rates are reasonable and her knowledge of the law is superb. I have already recommended Laura to family and friends as I'm that confident in her ability to help them with their legal needs.

See All Client Reviews

Laura E Vaught's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Laura
Holly N Mitchell headshot
Holly Mitchell

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Laura Vaught on many occasions, in some cases when we are working together on the same side, and in some cases when we are on opposite sides. She is always prompt, professional, and very competent. It is always a pleasure to work with her, and I will continue to refer matters to her knowing that the client will get the best possible legal advice."

Todd L Van Rysselberghe headshot
Todd Van Rysselberghe

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have no hesitation referring people to Laura for estate planning matters. She is smart, resourceful and above all, personable. Laura exhibits professionalism in everything she does. When I refer a client to Laura, I am always confident they will be well cared for."

Robert H Klonoff headshot
Robert Klonoff

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Laura is a true expert in estate planning. She has a thorough knowledge of all of the relevant laws, and she approaches problems with a keen understanding of the personal and human issues involved. One of the best estate planning lawyers in Oregon, without question."

Robert M Lusk headshot
Robert Lusk

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Laura is an outstanding lawyer and a wonderful person. I have worked with her in a variety of settings and on the opposite side of cases. I highly endorse her for anyone with estate planning needs, guardianships and conservatorships, and for general legal advice. She is a person of high intellect and great compassion."

Nathan Rudolph headshot
Nathan Rudolph

Unknown lawyer | Jul 17

Relationship: Co-worker

"Laura is a highly intelligent, ethical, and inventive attorney who cares deeply about the well-being of her clients. She utilizes her experience and pragmatism to efficiently and effectively solve problems. I value and respect her opinion and I am lucky to have her as a mentor."

Neil D Kimmelfield headshot
Neil Kimmelfield

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked closely with Laura on several client matters and strongly endorse her. She is smart, diligent, attentive, and fiercely loyal to her clients, helping them navigate difficult circumstances that require personal insight and judgment as well as legal expertise. She has high professional standards and personal ethical standards, qualities that make collaborating with her highly rewarding. I look forward to opportunities to refer clients to Laura."

Heather C Beasley headshot
Heather Beasley

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Laura is an excellent Estate Planning attorney. She is thorough and makes sure that every aspect of the estate's needs are addressed. She has the highest level of integrity. I have referred numerous friends and clients to her."

Timothy Edward Siegel headshot
Timothy Siegel

Business lawyer | Jan 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

View All Endorsements
Robert M Lusk headshot
Robert Lusk

Guardianship lawyer

Todd L Van Rysselberghe headshot
Todd Van Rysselberghe

Divorce and separation lawyer

Holly N Mitchell headshot
Holly Mitchell

Estate planning lawyer

Nathan Rudolph headshot
Nathan Rudolph

Guardianship lawyer

Heather C Beasley headshot
Heather Beasley

Insurance lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.9 (Very Good)

Honors

N/A

Phi Beta Kappa Key, Phi Beta Kappa

Work Experience

1996 - Present

Attorney - Partner, Smith, McDonald & Vaught, LLP

Associations

Multnomah County Bar Association

Washington State Bar Association

Colorado Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

Care Medical Equipment, Inc. v. Baldwin

Prevailing Party

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

University of California - Santa Barbara

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

NAPFA Quarterly Meeting - Oregon/SW Washington Chapter

Guardianships and Conservatorships - Guidance for Financial Planners

2014

NAPFA Quarterly Meeting

Guardianships and Conservatorships - Information for Financial Planners

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 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.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution