$ 325-325 per hour
Christopher Michael Brooks
About Christopher
Biography
Christopher M. Brooks limits his legal practice to estate planning and administration. As a husband and father, Chris understands the hopes, joys and fears of being a parent. Chris is dedicated to preparing unique, affordable estate plans that give his clients the peace of mind of knowing they have provided for their families.
Chris believes in giving back to the community. He spends several hours every week working with nonprofit organizations. Chris mentors a young man at St. Mary’s Home for Boys, and he is a member of the board of directors of the Clark Foundation, Oregon Symphony Association, University Club Foundation, and Oregon Sports Authority. He is also a former board member of the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Foundation and Portland Area Theatre Alliance.
Prior to starting Brooks Estate Law in 2010, Chris was an associate for respected Portland estate planner James D. McVittie. Chris began his legal career practicing litigation with Michael Wise & Associates, P.C. from 2003-2007. He drafted the original version of the legal argument that reestablished the principle that a plaintiff may pursue distinct exclusive legal remedies in Venture Properties Inc. v. Parker.
Chris’s other interests include skiing, golf, the Timbers, college basketball and football, theater, wine, and books ranging from popular fiction to philosophy.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
50%
20 years | 500 cases
Probate
30%
20 years | 75 cases
Guardianship
10%
20 years | 20 cases
Trusts
10%
20 years | 30 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 19 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 22 years
State: California
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Licensed in Oregon for 22 years
State: Oregon
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
Brooks Estate Law, PC
9755 SW Barnes Rd., Ste. 440, Portland, OR, 97225
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Christopher Michael Brooks's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (6)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Estate Planning
Posted by AT | September 15, 2014 | Estate Planning
Excellent, professional advice. Five stars.
Chris is an able, very knowledgeable and friendly professional to work with. Chris helped me with my estate plan and is on hand should I need to make alterations or have questions. Chris is also very involved in charitable causes in the community and he has a great reputation. I highly recommend his ...
Posted by Annie | October 05, 2009 | Estate Planning
Professional and Caring Person
I moved to Oregon and needed to have my living trust and other estate planning documents reviewed so that my trust, living will, powers of attorney, etc ere consistent with Oregon law. Chris took an incredible amount of time answering my questions and explaining, in a way I could understand, what ch...
Posted by Brian | September 22, 2009 | Estate Planning
Great job on Living Trust
Ordinarily having a Living Trust prepared is a bit like going to the dentist....not something high on our list. But with visions of forms, paperwork, rules, and procedures we headed off to meet with Chris Brooks and he put our concerns to rest. He quickly gathered the information he needed and effor...
Christopher Michael Brooks's Lawyer Endorsements
"Chris is personable and pragmatic, which are qualities perfectly suited for an estate planning attorney."
"I have found Chris to be professional, diligent and a pleasure to work with. He is an attorney that I do not hesitate to refer complex estate planning issues to with confidence. I endorse Christopher Brooks."
"Chris has been a trusted referral for estate planning matters that are outside my comfort zone. He is personable and responsive, and also generous with his time. I will continue to refer matters to him in the future. Jim Hillas James M. Hillas, P.C. NE Portland"
"I probated a high complex, completely illiquid, multi-million dollar estate with complex transactional, support and tax issues in Oregon and in an out of state ancillary proceeding. I needed an experienced probate attorney for advice on analyzing and resolving issues that were not clearly addressed in the case law. One of my partners recommended Chris Brooks to me for this role. I interviewed Chris and worked with him. I found Chris extremely knowledgeable and excellent to work with. Chris is very smart and efficient and exercises sound judgment. I highly recommend Chris for all aspects of wills, estates, trust and probate work."
"I have had occasion to discuss estate planning issues relating to my litigation with Mr. Brooks on several occasions. I found him very knowledgeable and up-to-speed with complex issues surrounding trusts and estate planning. I recommend him highly."
"I recommend Chris without hesitation. I have referred many clients to him and they always come back with glowing reviews. In addition, he prepared my own estate plan. I will continue to send client's to Chris as I know they will get great treatment and top notch advice."
"Christopher is the first attorney that I recommend whenever a client needs help with a will, a trust, or any other aspect of estate planning. I refer all of my estate planning work to Christopher because I know he will take care of my clients and that he will do so for a reasonable fee. I have known Chris for about four years now, and I think that his prior experience as a litigator gives him special insight and perspective into his clients' estate planning needs and how best to avoid costly probate challenges. Chris is smart, ethical, conscientious, and highly motivated to succeed. He has high professional standards, a great sense of humor, and doesn't take himself seriously. I endorse him without hesitation."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Chris Brooks. I refer my clients to Chris for Estate Planning advice, and with good reason. The feedback I get is that Chris has done great work, and treated them well. Chris charges very reasonable prices for his work, and you can always expect top quality from him. He is always up to date on changes in the law that could impact your will or trust, which sets him apart from other lawyers."
"I've worked with Chris Brooks, and his work product is excellent; I recommend his professional services to my clients."
"I worked with Chris when he was a litigation attorney, and he mentored me in my first few years of practicing law. In that time, I benefited tremendously from Chris' example of diligence, intelligence, knowledge, and professionalism in his representation of a wide variety of clients with a broad range of issues. Chris clearly cared about his clients' interests and strove in every matter and situation to achieve the greatest outcome on their behalf. Chris has surely transferred his admirable traits as a litigation attorney into his estate planning practice, to which he is very well suited. Any client would be well-served by Christopher Brooks."
"I worked with Chris on a matter relating to reopening an estate of a deceased inventor on a patent application. He was very thorough and produced a high quality work product. Chris' likeable personality and high level of professionalism make him an excellent attorney in the area of estate planning."
"Mr. Brooks in a smart, knowledgeable lawyer and an outstanding person. He has an excellent command of the intricacies of estate planning combined with the commitment to provide his clients with the highest quality legal services. I highly commend Mr. Brooks to any colleague or potential client."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I've known Chris for five years in both a personal and professional capacity. He is honest, compassionate, and committed. He does more than bandaid a problem. He takes the extra step to examine the full range of his clients' legal issues and address them in their entirety."
"Chris Brooks is a sharp and thoughtful estate planning attorney with a friendly, approachable demeanor. I have interacted with Chris at a number of estate planning forums, national estate planning educational seminars, and other similar events. He asks excellent questions, gives valuable insights, and is refreshingly collegial. I value his thoughts and opinions, and would feel comfortable having him draft an estate plan for my friends and family. Chris is also one of the few attorneys I know who is licensed in California, Oregon, and Washington, allowing him to serve clients on the entire West Coast."
Thomas Hackett
Estate planning lawyer
Jennifer Brooks
Business lawyer
Collin McKean
Unknown lawyer
James Hillas
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
R Scott Jerger
Unknown lawyer
Joseph Field
Unknown lawyer
Thomas Romano
Unknown lawyer
Matthew Arbaugh
Unknown lawyer
Clay McCaslin
Litigation lawyer
Jason Posner
Litigation lawyer
Marc Johnston
Litigation lawyer
Marcus Reed
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Beth Wolfsong
Estate planning lawyer
Freeman Green
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2002
Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, CALI
1998
Cardinal Newman Fellowship, Gonzaga University
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Principal, Brooks Estate Law, PC
2007 - 2010
Associate, McVittie-Law, PC
2003 - 2007
Associate, Michael Wise & Associates, PC
Associations
2011 - Present
Washington State Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trusts SectionMember
2011 - Present
California State Bar, Trusts and Estates SectionMember
2007 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Oregon State Bar, Estate Planning SectionMember
2004 - Present
United States District Court for the District of OregonMember
2004 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitMember
2003 - Present
Multnomah Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2003 - Present
Oregon State BarMember
2003 - 2007
Oregon Trial Lawyers AssociationMember and President's Circle
Education
2002
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
Gonzaga University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2020
Lunch and Learn
Protecting Your Family in Uncertain Times
2017
Lunch and Learn
The Seven Most Important Documents for Estate Planning
2014
Portland Art Museum
Planned Giving - Bequests
2010
Portland Resource Group
Estate Planning Basics
2009
Portland Connections
Why Trusts Are Awesome
Languages
English