Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
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.
5
Practice Areas
26 years | 2,160 cases
26 years | 255 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withState: Washington
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
State: Oregon
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
4915 NE 42nd Ave., Portland, OR, 97218-1501
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | March 3, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Extremely knowledgeable and patient. His staff is thorough, efficient and pleasant to work with. We are very satisfied with the plan that we developed with Jim.
Posted by Jim | November 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney
We’ve been working with James for over eight years now regarding our Trusts. He and his team are always professional, kind, accurate and efficient. We’ve been very pleased with all that his team has done in order to provide a sense of relief that all our paperwork (and there’s a lot) are accurate,...
Posted by Lynn | October 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I love this law practice. I met Jim McVittie 14 years ago, and am grateful that he is younger than me, so that he Is likely to continue to be my estate lawyer until I cross the threshold! I highly recommend him and his staff.
Posted by Jim | August 8, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Recently updated my Trust and Will I no longer live in Oregon. All chanhed were done on line. I had some apprehension at first But the firm staff and attorney made the process easy, prompt and when finished, I was happy and satisfied with the finished document.
Posted by Arthur | July 31, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Jim and his team have been our attorneys for 7 years. They created wills and trusts for my husband and myself. They handled all aspects of this service with great professionalism. We appreciate their care and advice.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Business lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Trusts lawyer
Trusts lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
2014
2014 Five Star Estate Planning Attorney, Five Star Professional
2013
2013 Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Professionals
2013
Distinguished 4.2 out of 5.0, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
2012 Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Professionals
2011
2011 Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Professionals
2000 - Present
Owner, Legacy Preservation Law
2002 - Present
Portland Area Business Association/ Oregon Pride in BusinessMember
2000 - Present
Oregon State Bar, Estate Planning and Administration SectionMember
1988 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
1988 - Present
Oregon State BarMember
1988 - Present
Multnomah County Bar AssociationMember
Formal Probate and most likely a suit to Quiet Title
1987
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
BS - Bachelor of Science
2018
Estate Planning
2017
Estate Planning
2012
Estate Planning
2010
Estate Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples
English
Legal Answers
Are there any final steps to close a small estate?
25 May 2017
How do I initiate the probate process in Multnomah County, Oregon, for intestate situation and can you make attorney referral?
07 May 2014