Lauren Barnhart grew up in Tacoma, Washington with her mom, three brothers and a village of aunts and uncles. Lauren learned at an early age that hard work and creative solutions can allow you to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Lauren realized early on that she would need to find her own way to pay for college, so by her senior year, she had secured a full-ride music scholarship to a four-year university, was the principal bassoonist in the Tacoma Youth Symphony and performed in Carnegie Hall.
Lauren entered law school with lofty ambitions of bringing international war criminals to justice, but soon realized that she felt the greatest reward serving individuals within her own community. Practicing family law allows Lauren the opportunity to help families navigate through what is arguably the most difficult time of their lives. When Lauren meets a client for the first time, she wants them to know above all else that their case matters to her, and that she can get them through to the other side. Lauren practices law with integrity and compassion and believes that when dealing with families, the best outcomes are not measured by winners and losers, rather equitable solutions and child-focused results. While Lauren does maintain a successful and active litigation practice, she will first try and explore all opportunities for settlement to avoid litigation. Coming from a modest background, Lauren truly appreciates the price tag, and her goal is always to reach the most equitable outcome, as expeditiously and efficiently as possible.
Lauren moved from Washington to Oregon in 2007 and has been living in Portland since shortly after graduating cum laude from Willamette University College of Law in 2012. Lauren began her legal career working with a solo practitioner at a small firm in NE Portland, then honed her legal skills working at a larger firm before landing at Posey Legal, PC where works with her longtime friend and colleague Joanna Posey.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys camping, wine and beer tasting, playing board games, and playing several musical instruments. While she likes to appease her Washington roots by pointing out that we were at one time one big Oregon Territory, she calls Portland her home. Lauren’s favorite thing about Portland is all the available outdoor activities. She loves that you can access the desert, the mountains, the coast or the river all with only an hour or two drive. Then when you get back, you can take advantage of Portland’s up-and-coming food scene with restaurants that cater to all cuisines, vast array of breweries and urban wineries, eco-conscious transportation, self-sufficient neighborhoods, and a lively alternative music scene.
Practice areas
9 years
9 years
9 years
9 years
9 years
9 years
Languages spoken
English
Posey Legal, PC
3115 NE Sandy Blvd, Suite 222
Portland, OR, 97232
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
OR | Active | 2013 | 07/09/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2020 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Dean's List | Willamette University College of Law | 2012 |
High Paper in Tort Law | Willamette University College of Law | 2012 |
High Paper Constitutional Law | Willamette University College of Law | 2011 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Senior Associate Attorney | Posey Legal, PC | 2019 - Present |
Associate Attorney | Landerholm Family Law | 2015 - 2019 |
Associate Attorney | Peterson Law Group | 2013 - 2015 |
Editor | Willamette Law Review | 2010 - 2012 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Portland Youth Philharmonic | Board Member | 2017 - 2020 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Landerholm Law Blog | Where are the Children During a Family Law Trial? | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | “Stay Together for the Kids” and Six Other Misconceptions About Divorce | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | What Every Divorced Parent Must Understand About Oregon Relocation Law | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | Equitable Distribution: Understanding the Division of Property in an Oregon Divorce | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | A Brief Overview of Oregon Uncontested Divorce | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | An Overview of Oregon Spousal Support | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | Expert Opinions: The Benefits of Multidisciplinary Collaborative Divorce Professionals | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | 4 Detrimental Mistakes That Could Sabotage Your Child Custody Case | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | Personal Divorce Readiness: 3 Areas in Which to Prepare Yourself | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | 10 Important Facts You Should Know About Getting Divorced in Oregon | 2016 |
Landerholm Law Blog | Potential Grounds for Child Support Modifications | 2016 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Willamette University College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2012 |
Willamette University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2009 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
AFCC 13th Symposium on Child Custody | Step-Up Parenting Plans: Creative Tools to Build Lasting Transitional Plans | 2018 |
Estate Administration from Start to Finish | Distribution and Closing of the Estate | 2018 |
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Matthew Cohen, Unknown Attorney on Jan 17, 2019
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. Lauren is knowledgeable and well respected in the Portland legal community.
Joel Geelan, Family Attorney on Aug 29, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have personally observed Ms. Barnhart's strong work ethic and unwavering advocacy on behalf of herclients. Ms. Barnhart’s experience provides her with the skills necessary to address her clients' needs. A strong indicator of an attorney’s ability is whether his/her professional colleagues would entrust their personal affairs in the attorney’s hands. Not every attorney is capable of earning such respect and trust. I would trust Ms. Barnhart to handle my case, and that is why I eagerly endorse her.
Katherine Denning, Family Attorney on May 9, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Lewis Landerholm, Family Attorney on Apr 25, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
Lauren has one of the most compassionate hearts I've seen in the legal field. She truly cares about her client and you will not find a better advocate to represent you and help you create a better future.
William Jones, Family Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Joanna Posey, Family Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Jason Pierson, Family Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Triston Dallas, Family Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Heather Unger, Family Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Jack Dekovich, Family Attorney on Mar 25, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have known Lauren both personally and professionally for many years. Her commitment to excellence in the field of Family Law is unmatched. She is a tough but fair opposing counsel, always willing to work toward an amicable resolution to every case.
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