We maintain a tradition of legal excellence, providing the service you expect and deserve.
I was born and raised in suburban Maryland, just north of Washington D.C. As such, I had a front row seat for JFK's Inaugural & MLK's August 28, 1963 speech on the Mall. I truly enjoyed growing up with the rich heritage of the nation's capital. Upon graduation from the University of Maryland I went to work in the intelligence community in what is now known as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. I spent a decade in banking, then turned towards a legal career.
I have litigated commercial cases throughout the Western United States, being admitted along the way to over a dozen federal district courts. Over the past decade my practice has been split between family law and international trade law. Memberships: Oregon State Bar Family Law Section; OSB Disciplinary Committee, 2003-2009; United States District Court for the District of Oregon Local Rules Advisory Committee, 2003 - 2009; Marion County Practice & Procedures Committee; Marion County e-Court.
Committee Awards and Honors: Award for Distinguished Client Service, Martindale Hubbell, 2009 - 2016; Top 10% of Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, 2016; Award for Distinguished Achievement, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1998; Distinguished Presenter, Gravitation Effects on Doppler Mechanics, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics Symposium, 1982; Award of Excellence for Telemetry Support of the Shuttle Columbia Landing at White Sands Missile Range, National Reconnaissance Office, 1982; Certificate of Merit for Advancement of Inertial Navigation Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Division, 1980; Award of Excellence for Precision Support of the MX Missile Inertial Navigation System, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 1980; Certificate of Merit for Saving Life and Property During Hurricane Agnes, Maryland National Park & Planning Commission, 1972.
Practice areas
Business formation and litigation
24 years
Divorce, modification
Lender Liability
24 years
Languages spoken
English
Van Ness Williamson LLP
960 Liberty Street SE
Suite 100
Salem, OR, 97302
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Voluntarily Resigned | 2003 | 05/07/2022 |
OR | Active | 1999 | 05/15/2022 |
Legal answers | 15 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2020 |
Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
Top 10 Attorneys | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2017 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Top 10 Attorneys | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2016 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
Award for Distinguished Client Service | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
Award for Distinguished Achievement | International Academy of Trial Lawyers | 1998 |
Distinguished Presenter | International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics | 1982 |
Award of Excellence Columbia Mission | NASA | 1982 |
Certificate of Merit for Saving Life and Property | MNCPPC | 1972 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney Member | Van Ness, Mooney LLC | 2005 - 2015 |
Attorney | Van Ness, Hammond, Mooney | 1999 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Willamette Valley American Inn of Court | 2007 - Present | |
Marion County Bar Association | 1999 - Present | |
Order of the Barristers | 1998 - Present | |
OSB Disciplinary Board | Panel Judge | 2004 - 2009 |
USDC Oregon Rules Committee | Member | 2004 - 2009 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics | Gravitation Effects on Doppler Mechanics | 1982 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
William Mitchell College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1998 |
University of Maryland | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1976 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Willamette Valley American Inn of Court | What the PLF does not cover | 2016 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Bollinger v. Board of Parole | Prevailed |
Brandon Joseph Beyer and Brandy Jean Cherry (A150879 - Linn County Circuit Court) | Succesfully defended |
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October 10, 2018
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August 16, 2018
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August 4, 2018
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February 7, 2017
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January 31, 2017
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January 30, 2017
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September 10, 2019
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Adam Paczkowski, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 6, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jim is a fantastic attorney to work with. Extremely knowledgeable and always responsive to his clients needs.
Zachary Gottlieb, Unknown Attorney on Apr 25, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Adam Paczkowski, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 6, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jim is a fantastic attorney to work with. Extremely knowledgeable and always responsive to his clients needs.
Zachary Gottlieb, Unknown Attorney on Apr 25, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Ryan Johnson, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 7, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have found Jim to be fair and reasonable both in his approach with opposing attorneys, but also in how he handles his client. When necessary he is assertive and can take a stand on an issue and present it convincingly. Jim is a great attorney.
Elaine Smith-Koop, Family Attorney on Apr 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Milan Castillo, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 5, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Jim is a strong advocate for his clients.
Ryan Collier, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Jim as a professional for twenty years. He is thoughtful and intelligent with a knack for thinking outside the box. And he is literally a rocket scientist. I would recommend him without reservation.
Howard Collins, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 4, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse James Van Ness without reservation. I have enjoyed working on many cases with him on the other side. We work toward practical solutions for our client's but if the matter has to taken to court his approach at trial is as a zealous attorney prepared for trial.
CJ Graves, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 4, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I worked with Jim on a contentious dissolution matter involving convoluted personal and financial matters. Throughout representation Jim was a consummate professional and a pleasure to work with. Since then, I have referred several potential clients in the Salem area to him for domestic relations representation.
Charles Lucas, Family Attorney on Jan 31, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Jim is a highly competent attorney who serves his clients well.
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