Family Law · Portland, Oregon
Divorce, custody, and adoption are turning points — not battles. We resolve most matters without a courtroom, and protect you fiercely when court is the right path.
Confidential · Evening appointments available · Sliding-scale mediation
Our Approach
High-conflict litigation drains the estate you're dividing and the family you're protecting. We start from settlement strength — and we're always trial-ready if respect isn't returned.
Nearly 8 in 10 of our cases resolve through mediation or collaborative process — faster, more private, and dramatically less costly than court.
Custody plans built around your children's routines, schools, and relationships — not around leverage. Their stability is non-negotiable.
Gentle doesn't mean soft. Every file is prepared as if it will see a judge, so you negotiate from strength — and never from fear.
What We Do
From uncontested divorce to complex custody relocation, we've guided Portland families through it for two decades.
Equitable division, spousal support, and a plan for what comes next — contested or amicable.
Learn more →Parenting time, decision-making, relocation, and modifications as your children grow.
Learn more →Resolve privately with a neutral process that you control — not a docket schedule.
Learn more →Stepparent, relative, and private adoptions — the joyful side of family law, handled with care.
Learn more →Child and spousal support that reflects real circumstances, revisited when life changes.
Learn more →Immediate, discreet action when safety is at stake. Same-week hearings when needed.
Learn more →Your Attorneys
Small by design. You work directly with a partner — never handed off, never a file number.
Founding Partner · Mediator
A former court-appointed custody evaluator, Nora has mediated over 600 family transitions. Parents on both sides request her by name — the rarest compliment in this work.
J.D., Lewis & Clark Law · Oregon Mediation Association · Collaborative Divorce Professionals
Partner · Litigation
When a case must be tried, Elena tries it. Fifteen years of family trial work, with particular depth in complex asset division and interstate custody disputes.
J.D., University of Oregon · OSB Family Law Section · Super Lawyers, Family Law
Client Stories
Divorce felt like drowning until our first meeting. Nora laid out a path, and every step happened exactly as she said it would.
Rachel M. — Divorce & custodyOpposing counsel wanted a war. Elena stayed calm, prepared everything, and the judge saw the difference. My daughters live with me today.
David K. — Custody trialThey finalized our stepparent adoption a week before the holidays. There were tears in the courtroom — the good kind.
The Okonkwo family — AdoptionWhat to Expect
Tell us your situation in a confidential consultation. We listen first, then map your options — including ones that don't involve us.
Mediation, collaboration, or litigation — you'll understand the tradeoffs, timelines, and realistic costs of each before deciding.
We handle the filings, deadlines, and negotiations. You get plain-language updates and a response within one business day, always.
Agreements built to last — and we remain your firm for modifications as children grow and circumstances change.
Common Questions
Usually not. Most Oregon divorces resolve by agreement — through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative process — and are finalized on paper. We design our approach to keep you out of a courtroom unless it genuinely serves you.
Oregon courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child — factors like each parent's relationship with the child, stability, and willingness to support the other parent's role. A thoughtful parenting plan you build together almost always beats one a judge builds for you.
It depends almost entirely on conflict level. Mediated matters often resolve for a small fraction of litigation cost. At your consultation we'll give you a realistic range for your situation — and we flat-fee uncontested matters.
No — but it's time to get advice before you sign or agree to anything. An early consultation protects your options; most of what feels urgent in week one can be calmly undone or improved with counsel.
Yes — that's the best case. We'll paper your agreement correctly, catch the issues couples commonly miss (retirement division, tax timing, future modifications), and finalize it efficiently, often on a flat fee.
Begin Gently
One conversation can replace weeks of worry. Consultations are confidential and unhurried — bring your questions.