Joel is a diligent advocate for his clients. He relies on his extensive experience representing clients in areas of estate planning & administration, including wills, trusts, power of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives. Additionally, Joel has been recognized as a leader in the area of family law, including divorce, custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, high asset division, move-away cases, grandparent and co-parent third party rights, and DHS-involved cases. He has settled and litigated numerous matters in each area. He specializes in resolving cases involving children and complex financial issues, such as valuing and dividing businesses, real estate, investments and retirement accounts.
When necessary, Joel’s courtroom experience enables him to guide his client’s through the court processes to pursue and protect their interests. However, Joel understands the benefits of an amicable settlement and strives to resolve his clients’ cases to their advantage through mediation, settlement conferences, and detailed written proposals. From the very beginning of each case, Joel prepares for both settlement and trial, offering his clients different strategies tailored to their unique situation and goals. He prides himself in anticipating the arguments and strategies of the other side. He communicates with clients the practical and legal pros / cons of their case so they can ultimately decide how best to proceed. In this way, Joel empowers his clients to take control of their lives. Those who have worked with Joel describe him as caring, organized, and a zealous advocate.
In addition to his work for adult clients, Joel is regularly appointed by local judges to represent children in complex matters. He regularly advocates for children that lack a voice in the legal process.
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When he is not advocating for his clients, you will find Joel spending time with his wife and two children. As a native Oregonian, Joel enjoys all the great northwest has to offer including golfing, camping, hiking, riding his road bike, and all water sports. An optimist at heart, Joel’s personal motto is: “Every day is a gift, don’t waste it.”
