My professional practice is dedicated to representing clients in Oregon family law matters.
In my family law practice I represent clients involved in divorce, custody, parenting time, child and spousal support and domestic violence restraining order litigation. In addition to litigation I also help clients attempt cooperative and collaborative divorce processes, and I have a number of clients who seek pre-litigation planning and advice, mediation preparation and use me to counsel them through the out-of-court negotiation of their family law disputes. My goal is to provide compassionate, effective and efficient legal counsel. I am comfortable providing strong and smart advocacy in contested matters, but my real strength lies in finding ways to help clients identify their priorities, the goals they have in common with the opposing party, and the opposing parties' motivations and help my clients negotiate the best possible outcome.
Prior to starting my family law practice I had experience doing tort defense for insurance companies, plaintiff's personal injury subrogation litigation, adversarial bankruptcy proceedings, employment disputes, disputes representing secured creditors and residential and commercial landlords. My varied practice experience has taught me to see legal disputes from all sides. I use this perspective to develop evidence that builds my clients' cases while undercutting my client's adversaries positions in court or to create leverage to reach resolution. This perspective is particularly useful in family law matters because it is a complex and varied substantive practice where I can use my working knowledge of many other areas of substantive law to my clients' benefit. I strive to be effective in my advocacy, responsive to my client's concerns and compassionate of clients difficult and varied feelings as they navigate family law disputes. My goal is to help clients through a difficult time to achieve the best results possible.
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Practice Areas
19 years
19 years
19 years
19 years
Always
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Chat withState: Oregon
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
State: Washington
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
PO Box 15125, Portland, OR, 97293
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jay | January 9, 2020 | Consulted Attorney
I contaced Michael for an opinion on a divorce matter. It was an urgent matter and I needed immediate answers. He is super responsive. Replied to my email within minutes and consulted me late hour of the evening. I highly recommend him.
Posted by anonymous | May 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney
I hired Michael upon making the decision to leave a very devious partner. I knew the divorce and related custody, support and parenting plan issues would be likely result in a long and trying process. My goals were to stay out of court and achieve a plan that was in the best interest of my child. ...
Posted by Amy | January 7, 2017 | Hired Attorney
I put my trust in Michael Hallas and I was not disappointed. Michael has a quick and intuitive intellect. He is approachable and compassionate. He was quick to answer my many questions and was thorough and very patient. Michael's many attributes allowed me to make tough decisions with confidence....
Posted by anonymous | September 30, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Michael represented me through the process of my divorce. I had a somewhat complicated situation, divorcing a spouse who was a service member living overseas. Michael did a wonderful job explaining the legal process to me, ensuring that my custody concerns were met, and making sure we came away wi...
Posted by Laurie | September 30, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Despite the stress that comes naturally with going through divorce, I am extremely grateful that someone recommended Michael Hallas, with Mckinley Irvin, to me. He and his paralegal, Phillip, were extremely professional, responsive, thorough and efficient in helping me get through this process. My qu...
"I contaced Michael for an opinion on a divorce matter. It was an urgent matter and I needed immediate answers. He is super responsive. Replied to my email within minutes and consulted me late hour of the evening. I highly recommend him."
"I have worked as opposing counsel to Mr. Hallas. He is a solid attorney who works amicably to resolve issues knowledgeably on behalf of his clients. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Michael on case in the past and he was both professional and knowledgeable. He advocates strongly for his clients."
"Michael is smart, creative, focused, and diligent in his practice of law. I recommend him to anyone with an important family law matter."
"Michael is a great lawyer, and a kind and personable human being. He is creative, strategic, and provides his clients with personal attention."
"I highly endorse Mr. Hallas. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first."
"I have known Michael Hallas for number of years on both a professional and personal level. As a family law attorney Michael brings an incredible sense of empathy and compassion to his cases. He understands that family law cases can be emotional for all parties and strives to find solutions rather than points of conflict. With that said, Michael is also a strong advocate for clients and a skilled litigator in the court. He works tirelessly on behalf of clients whether it be negotiating settlement or in the courtroom. Michael has an excellent reputation among his colleagues. Those of us who have worked with him appreciate the level of integrity and professionalism he brings to a case. Clients who seek an attorney who is both compassionate and a strong advocate will be well served working with Michael."
"I shared office space with Michael for a year and got to know him well. We consulted and talked about cases with each other. I learned quickly to value his advice, insight, and analysis. Michael is dedicated and caring to his clients. He is detail oriented and is a very competent family law lawyer."
"Michael is an experienced and talented family law attorney. He is a skilled advocate who works hard for each of his clients."
"Mr. Hallas is one of the most exemplary and extraordinary attorneys that I have encountered in 24 years of practice. Despite being a judge, magistrate, prosecutor, and private attorney for nearly two and a half decades, I continue to learn valuable information from his posts every day. I would highly recommend."
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2001
Environmental and Natural Resources Certificate, Lewis & Clark Law School
2013 - 2017
Attorney, Mckinley Irvin
2006 - 2007
Associate, Ambrose Law Group
2004 - 2005
Associate, Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi
2003 - 2004
Associate, Collins, Toschi & Doyle
2002 - 2003
Associate, Mayall Hurley Knutsen Smith & Green
2013 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember (Inactive)
2012 - Present
Multnomah County Circuit Court Child's Attorney Representation PanelMember
2007 - Present
Oregon State Bar, Family Law SectionMember
2006 - Present
Oregon State BarMember
2013 - 2017
Washington State Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2001 - 2008
California State BarFormer Member
2001
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
BA
2014
Ethics of representing minors
2014
2013
English
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