J Eric Gustafson

Eric has practiced law for 40 years and is the senior partner in the law firm.  He is a founding member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.  He has been a member of the Washington State Adoption Council and has been called upon to testify before the Washington State Senate on legislation related to adoption practice.  He became a Certified Elder Law Attorney* in 2000, the only elder law certification process recognized by the American Bar Association under its approved CLE, examination and peer-review criteria administered by the National Elder Law Foundation. 
Eric has received the highest rating "AV" for attorneys by Martindale-Hubble.*

Eric’s practice is concentrated in elder law, estate planning and adoption, particularly independent adoption.  He handles elder law, estate planning and independent adoption matters both in Washington and Oregon.  He also continues to do some business matter.  He is an adoptive father of two children and speaks to church and community organizations periodically about elder law, estate planning and adoption issues. He is licensed to practice law in Washington and Oregon, and sees clients by appointment in the vicinity of his Manzanita, Oregon second home.

Mr. Gustafson earned his B.A. in Political Science in 1970 from Washington State University where he was on the President’s List 1969 – 1970.  He received his law degree from Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law in Portland, Oregon in 1973 with a class standing of 7 out of 103 and where he was on the Law Review.  Eric is a member of the Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (past Board member), Washington State Bar Association (Elder Law Section past Board member), American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (past Board member and Ethics Committee member), and Yakima County Bar Association,

*Elder Law Certification occurs through the auspices of the National Elder Law Foundation (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) under approved criteria and examination procedures of the American Bar Association.  Washington's Supreme Court has not yet developed or recognized a credentialing process for specialties, and certification/fellowship/M-H rating is not required to practice law in this state.