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Mark Kramer

Divorce and separation Attorney at Portland, OR

4.3   15 reviews
  • Licensed for 41 years
    State OR
    Acquired 1981
    Status
    Active Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2019

About Mark

Learn Mark’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
  1. Divorce and separation
    65%
    Full ranges of family law - divorce and custody; child and spousal support; adoptions; domestic partnerships; grandparent and third party rights.

    39 years

  2. Personal injury
    20%
    Vehicle accidents; slip and fall; negligence; wrongful death

    39 years

  3. Civil rights
    15%
    Suits against government entities for denial of civil rights - e.g., false arrest; excessive force; wrongful death; failure to protect rights of children.

    39 years

I enjoy interacting with people, and helping them resolve their disputes.  My values include:

:

Concern and capacity for each individual in light of their particular circumstances;

Civility and respect to lawyers and non-lawyers;

 

My reputation is aggressive, understanding and effective advocacy.  I believe in working hard to achieve the best settlment possible through negotiation and mediation but when that is not possible to aggressively advocate for my clients in court.

Photos and videos

Contact Mark

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Mark Kramer
520 SW 6th Ave Ste 1010
Portland, OR, 97204

Reviews

4.3 / 5.0
  15 customer reviews
Posted by Laura | January 23, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Intervention to a Dependency Case(against CPS)
Mr. Mark Kramer has got to be the most honest attorney that I have ever dealt with. From the moment that I sought his council he has been direct and honest. When I had my first consult with him he said you may lose this case, as it is a hard case to fight. Mr. Kramer has made me feel like I am part of a Team and not just his client in this case. He pays attention to the detail but leave no weight to the small stuff. The Old saying is you can’t fight the Government; this saying is untrue with Mr. Mark Kramer by my side.
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Posted by Carol | January 6, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Visitation and grandparent rights
Mark did an excellent job for us. We are back in the loop with our beloved grandson. Mark is extremely knowledgeable and very well respected by the court system in this area and any other in family law. He listens, is compassionate, and works very hard to find a way through the muck into the light of a good outcome. He was very available and made excellent contact with us and the other parties involved. He was very efficient and effective in the use of time. I would highly recommend his skill and abilities as a lawyer, in general, and especially in the area of family law.
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Posted by Don | November 23, 2014
Excellence when you need it most.
In summary, Mark Kramer guided me through a very contentious and extended divorce proceeding that left me remarkably intact and able to move forward with my life. Specifically, I brought to him the need to conclude a 40 year marriage with fairness and as little hurt as possible. Mark explained the direct and simple way forward. When this was rejected by my spouse, he explained options while letting me make the final determination as to how I wished to proceed, all the while clearly honoring my ethical values. In the courtroom he was outstanding! He was able instantly to quote the relevant passages of law, was firm but never bullying, and followed through with every detail. Outside the courtroom, he was always available by email, and in person when need be. I have repeatedly recommended him to others, as one who can be trusted to do handle a divorce with justice and with gentleness. If the outcome really matters, Mark is your man.
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Posted by anonymous | January 24, 2014
Mr. Kramer is an incredible attorney.
This attorney comes with high recommendations. Mr. Kramer has clearly taken the time to educate himself on all of the laws and during our case was able to identify what laws pertained to our case without having to look them up. Mark was very impressive with his knowledge and professionalism. Any time we needed to get in touch with Mark, he responded within the hour including emails late at night. We always felt comfortable knowing we had Mr Kramer on our side and we were thankful that he was not on the opposing side. If you want an attorney who is extremely educated, professional, and who stands by his clients I would suggest you hire Mr. Kramer. We hope no other problems arise where we would need an attorney but if they do, we will be coming back.
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Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2014
Excellent Firm
I had a very positive experience working with Mark Kramer and his associates. I never felt like I was in the dark as to how things were moving along. I never once questioned the integrity or honesty of the attorneys I worked with. I would definitely recommend this firm to others.
Posted by Blanca | October 1, 2013
Great Attorney Does Great Work
Mark Kramer is an excellent attorney. He kept me well informed throughout my case, making it where I had absolutely no surprises. Mr. Kramer was also very quick to return E-mails and phone calls, and to answer any and all questions I may have had. Lastly, I believe Mr. Kramer is fair when it comes to his fees. He works hard and puts many long hours into making sure he is well prepared for court, and I would not hesitate to use him as my attorney again.
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Posted by Lynn | September 20, 2013
Mark and his staff did a great job handling my personal injury case...
Mark and his staff did a great job handling my personal injury case. As a first time plaintiff, and hopefully last, Mark made what was a difficult time in my life, a bit less stressful. Mark kept in contact with me via numerous emails and phone calls, walked me through each stage as it progressed, and always answered my many questions with great detail, never sugar coating the situation and always giving me both sides of the coin, whether good or bad. Mark valued my opinion and was always open to my suggestions, right down to who we hired as our expert witness and mediator…I always felt in control of my case. Mark always maintained transparency, copying me on all correspondence with opposing council and always consulting with me prior to making any decisions or responding to questions from opposing council. In addition, his entire staff was always professional, yet laid-back and down to earth, not stuffy and pretentious like some law firms. Overall, I was very impressed with Mark’s professionalism and knowledge of the law as it related to my case. Needless to say after having learned a great deal about the legal system and the many laborious steps involved in a law suit, my case ended with a satisfactory settlement, in no small part due to Mark and his staff. I would gladly refer family and friends to Mark.
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Posted by anonymous | March 20, 2012
Honest and a Hard Worker
Mark is a wealth of knowledge and is always on top of legal paper work. Mark keeps in touch with you and even after a full day in court it is not uncommon to recieve an enail at 1 am to keep in touch. Mark takes time with you to dicuss what ways will be best in your case.
Posted by mikel | July 1, 2010
Can't collect Spousal Support?...Mark Kramer can—He did it for me!
After my divorce took place and there was spousal support awarded to me, my ex-husband would not pay. I found Mark Kramer as an attorney who specializes in getting support paid to the awarded party. Mark was great, he handled everything for me and even found resources to claim that I did not know were available. I cannot recommend him highly enough; he cares, he stays on top of what's taking place, and he kept me informed with phone calls, letters, and emails. Even more, his entire office staff were there for me as well, with understanding and support in so many ways.
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Posted by anonymous | June 29, 2009
Legal help with divorce and child custody issues
Mr. Kramer is a brilliant and straight forward attorney. His tenacity in researching and advocating my case was remarkable.
Posted by anonymous | June 29, 2009
Mark Kramer -- Competent, sensitive and effective
Mark is direct and efficient. At the same time, he is highly sensitive, seeking to resolve matters with the least personal trauma. He initially suggested mediation as a desirable way to proceed. When this approach was rejected and my case turned contentious, he was able to guide the proceedings to an equitable resolution without becoming entangled in the conflict. In other words, was extremely effective when things got messy, producing for me a good divorce outcome without slaughtering my then spouse. He knew the relevant law very well and cited it regularly in the court proceedings. He made himself available on short notice in a couple of crisis situations, and used email on a regular basis to keep me informed as the case unfolded. He seemed to work well with opposing attorneys. He has a gentle approach so long as this works. If things get difficult, he is firm and effective without being brutal. While divorce can be filled with horror stories, I recommend Mark Kramer without reservation as the one to guide a person through the process.
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Posted by anonymous | June 27, 2009
Excellent domestic Relations Attorney
Mark is an excellent attorney. He is intelligent, thoughtful, and responsive. He handles all matters promptly and with sensitivity. I have referred several other potential clients to him and would not hesitate to use him again (although, given the subject of the representation, I hope I don't have to!)
Posted by anonymous | July 9, 2015
I thought he did everything he could
This child custody case was a nightmare but later we found out that he could have made more about certain tricks that the other side played to make the court more productive and fair but when the money ran out, you know the story. I Guess Fairness AND Justice Is A NICE Fairy tale . I guess I would recommend this Lawyer if you have the money and a case that you have both sides playing fair.
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Posted by Brad | March 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Experienced incompetence
Upon hiring Mark I had a critical filing deadline to contest a fraudulent restraining order, which he missed. I was instructed to direct contact through his assistant, who did not respond. I had very sporadic returns from Mark's office throughout my case until near the end. When his assistant, who seemed perpetually distracted, finally returned my emails she had botched paperwork enough to where I felt it necessary to physically visit her at the office, then when we met she seemed very agitated, and needed calming and reminding to give me copies. From this point forth all my pertinent contact was directly with Mark, who usually seemed disinterested and intimidated by a female opposing counsel (or too close). Contact was so degraded at times that I was accused by the opposition of deliberately delaying, among other allegations of obstruction, insult tactics, and slights, but I was never defended by Mark. When I contacted his office by phone or visited, the office receptionist was very unfriendly and unaccommodating. She came to be known as The Gargoyle at the Gate. Come to find out that the assistant I tried to depend on had quit during my case. There was eventually a settlement that was essentially what I had originally offered prior to involvement of two lawyers, and a ridiculous amount of time and extraneous expense for no worthwhile assistance. I believe I could have negotiated this case, and representing and defended myself as well or better pro se.
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Posted by Debra | September 14, 2013
Thought you disliked whom you are sueing, wait till you meet this fellow
Didnt file as I requested. Wanted to use people that he associates with and not the best for the actual job. Misleads by misquotes, tries to confuse and runs up the tab by you having to repeat the same information over and over and over again. He didnt seem to engage until the very end, and then in a misleading manor.
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Cost

Rates
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 6.0 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2019.

Reprimand issued in OR, 2019
updated on 10/22/2019

This means the lawyer did something wrong but the bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Reprimand issued in OR, 2013
updated on 02/27/2013

This means the lawyer did something wrong but the bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Work Experience

  • Pro Tem Judge
  • Multnomah County Circuit Court
  • 2009 - 2010
  • Committee Counsel
  • Senate Judiciary Committee
  • 1987 - 1987
  • Staff Attorney
  • St. Andrew Legal Clinic
  • 1984 - 1987
  • Attorney
  • Metropolitan Public Defender
  • 1981 - 1984
View all work experience

Education

  • Northeastern University School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1981

Legal Cases

  • Fellows v. Coombs
  • $1.3 million recovery

Associations

  • Oregon State Bar Family Law Section
  • Member
  • 1984 - Present

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Distinguished Service
  • National Lawyers Guild
  • 1984

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Monthy Series
  • Stalking Orders
  • 2009
  • Annual Family Law Conference
  • Contempt and Enforcing Judgments
  • 2006
  • Family Law Update
  • Relationship Agreements
  • 2005

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (1)
Endorse Mark
Family Attorney | Jan 12
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I worked with Mark on a matter which presented some very unusual facts, together with a number of complicated legal issues. I was extremely impressed by the wealth of knowledge that Mark brought to the matter. I was equally impressed by the extreme compassion that he demonstrated towards his clients, while at the same time providing passionate and powerful advocacy on their behalves. I highly endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Oct 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Aug 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I am a new attorney in the Portland Metro area and have relied on Mr. Kramer for advice and support. In addition to being knowledgeable about the law, he is a decent and compassionate person. I do not hesitate at all in recommending Mr. Kramer to potential clients."
Family Attorney | Aug 07
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Mark is smart, tenacious, and well known as such in the community. If you have a grandparent (third party) case or a contempt case, think Mark Kramer."
Portland Divorce and separation Lawyer Mark Kramer
Mark Kramer
Divorce and separation Attorney
Portland, OR
Licensed for 41 years
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2019. See details