team-member

James B Oberholtzer

Portland, OR

Licensed for 42 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Estate Planning

Language

French

About

Background:  I was raised in Tucson, Arizona and Whittier, California.   I opened our Chicago, Illinois office in 1995 and the Portland, Oregon office in 2001.  Our family is 13th generation members of the Society of Friends (people known as "Quakers").  While attending Whittier High School, I was an Eagle Scout, an AFS exchange student to Malaysia and the section head for percussion for the WHS Marching Band (we marched in the 1968 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC for Richard Nixon). I enjoy playing music (piano, guitar and percussion), sailing, soccer (including futsol), T'ai Chi Chuan, hiking (I hiked up the South Sister, Oregon summit recently), skiing, snorkeling, classic languages (mostly Latin), databases (particularly Filemaker), web page design and wikis. I was the president of the Arbor Parent Teacher organization for the Arbor School in Tualatin, Oregon that all three of my children attended.

Practices Areas

Estate Planning

Business

Real Estate

Language

French

Contact

1500 SW First AvenueSuite 800Portland, OR, 97201

Office: (503) 928-6575

Website: N/A

Reviews

Fred
April 15, 2019

James explained to me the nuances of trust deed issues, as well as title subtlety. I was very satisfied with the way he explained the situation from the other point of view. In my opinion, James will quickly explain the situation so that u won't waste money and effort pursuing legal action.

Christopher
December 11, 2019

James was very helpful and patient with me as we went over his suggested course of action pertaining to a lease payment dispute. I highly recommend talking with him.

Bobbie
February 25, 2022

He was an excellent communicator. He asked me pertinent questions, I had not received the title report, so no numbers to provide! Yikes. Chagrin. He was a strategist, he provided the measurable data versus the subjective and he allowed me to decide on the action. I must say I am vexed. I would love to have him represent me in court. Better though than that, he empowered me by discussing the pros and cons of the situation with me to be proactive with the county and my situation. I plan to research (anonymously)with the county what happens if I abandon the property? Penalties? I will contact the property dept. ,at the county and ask them, what forms do I need to have my cousins fill out in order to cede the property to me. I will organize a packet and keep my presentation simple. I will look up and learn what I can about the deed from 1974. I will learn all about representative Deeds. I already called the title company and ask why I was not given the order # and had them send it to me, after they provided a flimsy excuse! Thank you. You met me where I was at, and kindly enlightened me, along the way. I am going to try to have my cousins cède their share to me.

anonymous
October 21, 2021

I had some questions surrounding tax law and divorce. My husband has been trying to steamroll the process and James Oberholtzer gave me the tough love pep talk I really needed. During our conversation, he provided me with a few points of information that I really needed and helped me outline a plan to move forward.

Jennifer
September 16, 2021

James helped me with some audit questions and I'm extremely happy I gave him a call! Will be using him if I need representation. He's very easy to talk to and answers all of your questions while providing excellent legal advice and insight. I would feel very comfortable and confident with James representing me.

anonymous
August 6, 2021

Mr. Oberholtzer was very helpful in providing some guidance on a tax issue that he felt could be handled on my own. He briefly outlined the process I could expect and the actions I would need to take. I appreciate the time he took to listen and understand the situation and am grateful for his honest advice.

Mu
July 28, 2021

I consulted James, He answered my call and answered my all specific questions and show me what strategies to follow. Best attorney to go with before buy anything

anonymous
May 29, 2021

We've been working with James and his team for a while now and have been very impressed. He is extremely professional, attentive and patient. He breaks down the legal mumbo-jumbo so that it is digestible. I've enjoyed not only his legal advice but some words of wisdom about life in general. He helped us to navigate the challenges legally and emotionally of transitioning a family business. His experience and knowing we have a lawyer that we can trust is worth EVERY penny. He showed us great dedication in meeting a very tight deadline, working all hours of the night...even when it was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We interviewed a lot of really great lawyers, but are so happy we chose to go with James and are very grateful for all that he and his team have done for us.

anonymous
January 3, 2021

I recently consulted with Mr. Oberholtzer regarding a tax question about my retirement account. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided different options that I could pursue. I did not feel that he was wasting my time, and I was happy with the information he provided. I would have no problem hiring him in the future.

anonymous
November 23, 2020

I was searching for an attorney to help a friend with an estate matter. Mr. Oberholtzer was one of the few attorneys who responded to my queries. He was patient with my complicated explanation and my questions; I appreciated that very much. I also appreciated his graciousness and understanding when my friend later decided to put her plans on hold. Had she wanted to proceed, we would have hired him.

Fred
April 15, 2019

James explained to me the nuances of trust deed issues, as well as title subtlety. I was very satisfied with the way he explained the situation from the other point of view. In my opinion, James will quickly explain the situation so that u won't waste money and effort pursuing legal action.

Christopher
December 11, 2019

James was very helpful and patient with me as we went over his suggested course of action pertaining to a lease payment dispute. I highly recommend talking with him.

Bobbie
February 25, 2022

He was an excellent communicator. He asked me pertinent questions, I had not received the title report, so no numbers to provide! Yikes. Chagrin. He was a strategist, he provided the measurable data versus the subjective and he allowed me to decide on the action. I must say I am vexed. I would love to have him represent me in court. Better though than that, he empowered me by discussing the pros and cons of the situation with me to be proactive with the county and my situation. I plan to research (anonymously)with the county what happens if I abandon the property? Penalties? I will contact the property dept. ,at the county and ask them, what forms do I need to have my cousins fill out in order to cede the property to me. I will organize a packet and keep my presentation simple. I will look up and learn what I can about the deed from 1974. I will learn all about representative Deeds. I already called the title company and ask why I was not given the order # and had them send it to me, after they provided a flimsy excuse! Thank you. You met me where I was at, and kindly enlightened me, along the way. I am going to try to have my cousins cède their share to me.

anonymous
October 21, 2021

I had some questions surrounding tax law and divorce. My husband has been trying to steamroll the process and James Oberholtzer gave me the tough love pep talk I really needed. During our conversation, he provided me with a few points of information that I really needed and helped me outline a plan to move forward.

Jennifer
September 16, 2021

James helped me with some audit questions and I'm extremely happy I gave him a call! Will be using him if I need representation. He's very easy to talk to and answers all of your questions while providing excellent legal advice and insight. I would feel very comfortable and confident with James representing me.

anonymous
August 6, 2021

Mr. Oberholtzer was very helpful in providing some guidance on a tax issue that he felt could be handled on my own. He briefly outlined the process I could expect and the actions I would need to take. I appreciate the time he took to listen and understand the situation and am grateful for his honest advice.

Mu
July 28, 2021

I consulted James, He answered my call and answered my all specific questions and show me what strategies to follow. Best attorney to go with before buy anything

anonymous
May 29, 2021

We've been working with James and his team for a while now and have been very impressed. He is extremely professional, attentive and patient. He breaks down the legal mumbo-jumbo so that it is digestible. I've enjoyed not only his legal advice but some words of wisdom about life in general. He helped us to navigate the challenges legally and emotionally of transitioning a family business. His experience and knowing we have a lawyer that we can trust is worth EVERY penny. He showed us great dedication in meeting a very tight deadline, working all hours of the night...even when it was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We interviewed a lot of really great lawyers, but are so happy we chose to go with James and are very grateful for all that he and his team have done for us.

anonymous
January 3, 2021

I recently consulted with Mr. Oberholtzer regarding a tax question about my retirement account. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided different options that I could pursue. I did not feel that he was wasting my time, and I was happy with the information he provided. I would have no problem hiring him in the future.

anonymous
November 23, 2020

I was searching for an attorney to help a friend with an estate matter. Mr. Oberholtzer was one of the few attorneys who responded to my queries. He was patient with my complicated explanation and my questions; I appreciated that very much. I also appreciated his graciousness and understanding when my friend later decided to put her plans on hold. Had she wanted to proceed, we would have hired him.