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James D McVittie

Estate planning Attorney at Portland, OR

5.0   2 reviews

also known as Legacy Preservation Law

  • State Years
    Washington - WA 35 years
    Oregon - OR 35 years
  • Licensed for 35 years
    State WA
    Acquired 1988
    Status
    Active No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 35 years
    State OR
    Acquired 1988
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

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

About James

Learn James’s areas of practice.

2
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    70%
    Estate planning includes Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills / Health Care Directives.

    23 years, 2,160 cases

  2. Probate
    30%
    Probate cases comprise only about 10% of our business because we encourage clients to plan in a way that avoids probate. We have one staff attorney dedicated to Probate and Trust Administration cases.

    23 years, 255 cases

James D. McVittie, Attorney at Law, principal attorney at Legacy Preservation Law.

 

Jim’s desire to help others led him to start his own law firm in 2000 to focus on estate planning issues. In 2011 the firm rebranded as Legacy Preservation Law to more accurately reflect the services we provide.

 

Jim is a native of Washington state, receiving his undergraduate  degree in Political Science from Washington State University in 1984.  Jim attended law school at Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1987. After law school Jim passed the bar exam in both Oregon and Washington and is currently licensed to practice in both states. 

 

Jim enjoys boating, community involvement, travel, scuba diving, kayaking, camping, hiking and skiing. 

Contact James

Similar lawyers nearby

Legacy Preservation Law
4915 NE 42nd Ave.
Portland, OR, 97218-1501

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  2 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
0%
Posted by Ray | August 16, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Experienced
Over the years I’ve changed my will and converted to a trust. The staff at Legacy Preservation Law have been wonderful to work with. I’ve received good advice and the service was timely. I highly recommend Jim McVittie and his staff.
Posted by Anta | June 16, 2010
Highly recommend
Jim McVittie prepared my will with care and sensitivity. He followed up to ensure all of my concerns had been addressed. I would rate him "excellent" in competency and customer service.

Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.0 (Excellent)

Work Experience

  • Owner
  • Legacy Preservation Law
  • 2000 - Present

Education

  • Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1987
  • Washington State University
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1984

Legal Cases

  • A lesson in the importance of planning
  • Formal Probate and most likely a suit to Quiet Title

Associations

  • Portland Area Business Association/ Oregon Pride in Business
  • Member
  • 2002 - Present
  • Oregon State Bar, Estate Planning and Administration Section
  • Member
  • 2000 - Present
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1988 - Present
  • Oregon State Bar
  • Member
  • 1988 - Present
  • Multnomah County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1988 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • 2014 Five Star Estate Planning Attorney
  • Five Star Professional
  • 2014
  • 2013 Five Star Wealth Manager
  • Five Star Professionals
  • 2013
  • Distinguished 4.2 out of 5.0
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2013
  • 2012 Five Star Wealth Manager
  • Five Star Professionals
  • 2012
  • 2011 Five Star Wealth Manager
  • Five Star Professionals
  • 2011
View all awards

Speaking Engagements

  • Estate Planning 101
  • Estate Planning
  • 2018
  • Estate Planning 101
  • Estate Planning
  • 2017
  • 7 Threats to Your Family Security
  • Estate Planning
  • 2012
  • 6 Oregon Lawyers Speak Out
  • Estate Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples
  • 2010
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (9)
Given (18)
Endorse James
Estate planning Attorney | May 11
Relationship: Other
"Jim is without a doubt a very compassionate and caring attorney. I've had the privilege of working with him in a professional setting as a fellow attorney on several occasions over the last two years. He is thoughtful, well versed in the law, and adept at working with clients to establish an estate plan based on their particularized needs. I recommend Jim without hesitation for all of your estate planning, probate and elder law needs."
Estate planning Attorney | May 26
Relationship: Other
"Jim is a knowledgeable and talented attorney. His personality puts people at ease and helps them feel comfortable talking about difficult issues. Jim takes the time to understand his client’s needs and carefully crafts estate plans to ensure their goals are accomplished."
Estate planning Attorney | Nov 22
Relationship: Other
"I am so completely and thoroughly impressed with James and his command of the alternatives available to estate planning. I have spent days with him learning and collaborating and am excited by the prospect of working with him. He really understands this niche backwards and forwards."
Probate Attorney | Jul 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Attorney McVittie's advice is spot on; as shown by the answers he has posted to questions on estate planning and probate law, he takes the time to answer questions in a common sense manner and plainly addresses legal issues."
Estate planning Attorney | Nov 11
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Jan 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jim is one of the most thoughtful estate planners I know. I have referred him clients in the past with full confidence knowing he would put together a great plan for them, and take great care of them on a personal basis. He is always responsive to questions from newer attorneys and is very generous with his time and expertise."
Estate planning Attorney | Oct 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jim makes everyone feel comfortable! He is also an excellent attorney, who has the unique ability to convey complex ideas in way that everyone understands. I recommend Jim to anyone who has estate planning or administration needs."
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Jim McVittie is an exceptional attorney and wonderful human being. His expertise and compassion combine to make him one of the best lawyers in the field. Jim is also incredibly generous with his time and talent, mentoring newer / younger lawyers, and helping them to be the best that they can be. I strongly recommend Jim to anyone in need of an estate planning or probate attorney."
Estate planning Attorney | Jun 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jim is an outstanding estate planning attorney whom I have known and worked with for over 10 years. He is a creative problem solver and cares deeply for his clients' well-being. He is generous in his assistance and mentorship to other estate planning lawyers and has made great contributions to the estate planning field. Jim is also a life-long learner who constantly strives to stay at the top of his field. I endorse him wholeheartedly and would send my own family to him for planning - I trust him that much."
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