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Leonard is a highly experienced trial attorney who has an extensive criminal and civil litigation background. His talent is making the legally complex simple to understand and telling your story in a compelling way to get you the very best results possible. Winning your case means having an end game in mind and Leonard is always planning for that end game. As an aside he is also an excellent marksman and does not pass up the opportunity to go shooting. Sadly, his shooting skills have never helped him win a case. Back to the legal stuff. While Leonard is passionate about the criminal law and civil rights issues, what drives him is getting the very best results he can in any given situation. Working towards the best achievable outcomes for his clients is his goal and the focus of his practice. He is best known for thinking outside the box and coming up with creative ways to solve complex problems for his clients. Leonard lives in Salem with his wife of twenty-nine years and his twelve-year-old son (an avid boy scout). After law school, Leonard’s wife made him promise to use his powers for good and not evil. Leonard is committed to that promise and will do the best job he can for his clients. When he is not in the courtroom he spend time with his son who is a boy scout.
Leonard started his career as a prosecutor on the Oregon coast. It was during his time as a prosecutor that he became well known for his expertise in criminal law and search and seizure law. Leonard’s career took off as he was recruited by the Police Academy to lead and deliver cutting edge training to law enforcement. Missing the courtroom, Leonard joined the Trial Division of the Oregon Department of Justice as a senior trial attorney litigating the most serious civil suits against the State of Oregon. After becoming the Attorney-in-Charge of the Torts and Employment Section of the Trial Division, his litigation team achieved an unmatched trial success winning twenty-two trials out of twenty-three. Leonard believes that the Government should at all times treat people fairly, within the bounds of the law and leave them with their dignity.
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Practice Areas
10 years | 100 cases
34 years | 500 cases
10 years | 100 cases
18 years | 200 cases
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Chat withState: Oregon
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
1900 Hines Street SE., Suite 211, Salem, OR, 97302
1900 Hines Street SE., Suite 211, Salem, OR, 97302
29 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Punctuality
Posted by Deborah | September 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Did not attend hearing
Mr Williamson did not attend a hearing deciding if I would be allowed to maintain my residency in my home. Because he did not attend the hearing, there was a summary judgment against me and my spouse was given the property. He did however charge me for his hearing preparations.
I have only represented one Deborah, a Deborah Labert nka Shreves in Marion County Circuit Court case #21DR12597. That court file is a matter of public record. I was not the attorney of record in the proceeding mention in this review. The attorneys, Amy Hall and Adria Gomez of Pacific Cascade Family Law LLC, that brought the motion in question for Ms. Shreves, were present for the hearing on January 18, 2022 and their arguments were not successful resulting in the court ordering that the husband get the home. This was an unfortunate outcome for Ms. Shreves and I am sure her attorneys, Amy Hall and Adria Gomez, did the best job they could. My representation of Ms. Shreves stopped on December 6, 2021 and I was not involved in the proceeding in which she lost her home. Public documents for this hearing can be found through the court as a matter of public record or copies can be viewed at: https://vannesswilliamsonllp21.sharefile.com/d-s32651e5913664f6bad72bbd5c1968797
"Mr. Williamson was a recent opposing counsel on a case. He was professional, easy to communicate with by phone and email, paid attention to detail and looked out for his client's interests well. I would not hesitate to refer cases to him in the future."
"Leonard was a very effective manager and leader while at the Oregon Department of Justice. He was supportive of his team leaders and Section. It was a pleasure working with him."
"Mr. Williamson and I were opposing attorneys in a custody/parenting time case involving a very young child. The case was emotionally charged with a lot of "he said" and "she said" issues. Mr. Williamson helped keep the case under control and moving forward, ultimately resolving it with a settlement that both parents could live with. He was at all times professional, responsive and sensitive to the dynamic while strongly supporting and advocating his client's position."
"I have known Leonard both professionally and personally for nearly 30 years. He is a straight- forward, no-B.S. kind of person and lawyer. Leonard is smart, thorough, and he will get the job done for you."
"I endorse this lawyer. I'm the DA in Tillamook and Leonard was one of the best Deputy DAs I've worked w/ in over 30 yrs. After leaving my office, he served as the law professor for the police academy, did trial work for The Attorney General's Office, and was the Inspector General for the entire Oregon Dept. of Corrections. Leonard brings a wealth of knowledge into private practice coupled with extensive statewide contacts in law enforcement."
"Leonard is a very skilled attorney. In particular, what you will notice about Leonard is his intuitive understanding about how the law works, and how the law works in real world situations. Having worked in State government for many years, and having supervised other government attorneys, Leonard knows how to get to the optimal solution for his client. This is, it goes without saying, particularly true in dealing wiht problems in the public sector, which Leonard knows intimately. I recommend Leonard in the highest terms."
"I known Leonard for more than twenty years, first as a colleague and later as I saw his work for other employers and now in his own firm. Leonard is the quintessential professional. His ethical standards are of the highest, and he is absolutely forthright and honest. He works hard for his clients. I have and will continue to refer friends who need expert legal advice. In a legal community that is sometimes a "good old boy" network, Leonard exercises independent judgment, integrity, and intelligence. I wholeheartedly endorse him."
Family lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Family lawyer
Litigation lawyer
2011
Excellence in Justice Award, Oregon Department of Justice
2016 - Present
Partner, Van Ness Williamson LLP
2011 - 2015
Inspector General, Oregon Department of Corrections
2001 - 2011
Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department Of Justice
1998 - 2001
Legal Services, Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
1991 - 1998
Deputy District Attorney, Tillamook County District Attorney's Office
2001 - Present
Marion County Bar AssociationMember
1991 - 2017
Oregon State Barmember
Overturned
1990
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2011
Oregon Prisons
2016
2008
1998
Russian
Legal Answers
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