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Cynthia Kay McNeff

4.7
Rating: 6.6

Licensed for 28 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Portland, OR
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Child Support ... +2 more

4720 NE 21st Ave, Portland, OR

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2004
See Details

About Cynthia

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 20%

10 years

20%
Child Support 20%

10 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Oregon for 27 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1998

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2003

Licensed in Hawaii for 28 years

State: Hawaii

Acquired: 1998

Resigned - Voluntary

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2004

Location

Law Offices of Cynthia Kay McNeff

4720 NE 21st Ave, Portland, OR, 97211

Law Offices of Cynthia Kay McNeff

4720 NE 21st Ave, Portland, OR, 97211-5831

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Cynthia Kay McNeff's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

26 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Compassion

Posted by anonymous | April 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Outstanding Divorce & Child Custody Representation

I worked with Cynthia McNeff for over a year through a difficult divorce and child custody situation, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. From the beginning, they provided clear, honest advice and helped chart the best path forward—always with my children’s well-being in mind. They guided me... through every decision, balanced firmness with diplomacy, and stayed focused on resolution rather than escalation. What could have been a drawn-out, chaotic process was handled with care and professionalism—and we reached a resolution that truly worked, all outside of the courtroom. If you need someone who is sharp, steady, and genuinely committed to getting you through a tough time with clarity and dignity, Cynthia McNeff is who you want on your side. I reach out frequently to this day and they are always available to assist.

Posted by Lana | April 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

forever indebted

Cynthia helped me during my darkest days. She helped me recover the money my ex was trying to get away without paying. She stuck by me for along time until it went to court where we were victorious!

Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Family

Order to modify default judgement

Words cannot describe the gratitude that I have for Cynthia. Her sense of professionalism and knowledge of the family courts system is unparalleled to any prior lawyer I’ve consulted. She was thoughtful, considerate and timely throughout the entire process, she kept me attune to all proceedings. Nev...er did I feel out of the loop or like a “Customer” I felt she had my genuine interest in mind and my child’s as well. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking an lawyers assistance with family court proceedings.

Posted by Tracey | November 12, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Highly Recommend

I am thrilled to acknowledge this fantastic lawyer. Cynthia helped me through a horrible divorce with intelligent diligent expertise. She is a work horse. She is extremely honest, caring, intelligent and doesn't waste your time or money. Cynthia's communication and expedience is exceptional. I highly... recommend Cynthia McNeff for all general law purposes. Her experience, honesty, empathy, and hard work will not disappoint. I have used other lawyers for various things and i can honestly tell you Cynthia is the best.

Posted by Dana | October 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Family

The last attorney or earth who is actually a good human being

I met Cynthia at a time in my life when I had completely lost hope. My former husband had pulled a rash of legal maneuvers designed to destroy my psyche, my bank account and my relationship with my children - and it would have worked had Cynthia not stepped in, got precise and concise about what happ...ened previously, and quickly set to work making a case for competent parenting with results much quicker than I could have ever possibly expected based on my experience with "the system" up until that point. When she phoned my ex's attorney, she was told "That crazy b***h will never see her children again." And that's when I learned what an amazing person, attorney and advocate Cynthia is. In nearly three years of knowing her and utilizing her services for all manner of legal matters, she has never once failed to deliver solid, practical advice that has served me well, manage my expectations (often overdelivering on what was promised), keeping my bill reasonable by having me do easy legwork that would cost me more than I could have afforded, and advocate on behalf of myself and my children in a way that I could not have expected. She compassionate, but practical. She keeps me focused on the issue at hand, not allowing my abundant emotions to run off with my mind. She's kind but firm. Efficient, but takes the time required to get the job done. I've known a lot of domestic attorneys (it took me three years to find someone as compassionate and competent as Cynthia - and my very own mother is a domestic attorney in another state - sigh). I can't say enough good things about Cynthia. She saved my life, my heart and my sanity. She's simply THE BEST.

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Cynthia Kay McNeff's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Cynthia
Rachel Game headshot
Rachel Game

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I practice exclusively in the area of immigration law, and when my clients need assistance with a family law matter I do not hesitate to refer them to Cynthia. From what I have seen she works diligently to help her clients get the best results and for a reasonable fee. I have seen other lawyers waste client's money by creating conflict with the opposing side and therefore generate more work for themselves. My experience with Cynthia is that she is pragmatic and works for results and not to generate more fees for herself. I know my clients appreciate her straightforward approach. I highly recommend Cynthia."

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Rachel Game headshot
Rachel Game

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.6 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2004.

Suspension issued in HI, 2004

updated on 07/18/2016

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.

Cynthia’s comment:

“The incident happened in 2000, not 2003. This was reciprocal to the Oregon suspension. It was not another event, I was suspended in Hawaii because I was suspended in Oregon.”

Suspension - Disciplinary issued in OR, 2003

updated on 07/18/2016

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.

Cynthia’s comment:

“The incident happened in 2000, not 2004. It was my first case I litigated and I made a mistake. No client or person was harmed or disadvantaged because of this. I stipulated because my attorney at the time told me that because I was a woman and in my own firm that the Bar would not be lenient.”

Work Experience

1998 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Cynthia K. McNeff

2000 - 2010

Founder, Viking Demolition Company

1983 - 2001

Environmental Health Tech, United States Air Force Reserve

Sample of Legal Cases

Michael F. Dimeo and Lana J. Dimeo (A147029 - Washington County Circuit Court)

Affirmed

See More Legal Cases

Education

1996

Willamette U.

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

University of Hawaii, West Oahu

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Narcissistic Personality Disorder in a Family Law Case

Narcissistic Personality Disorder in a Family Law Case

Languages

English

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 2004
    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