team-member

Peter Bunch

Portland, OR

Licensed for 27 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Child custody

Language

English

About

Peter is dedicated to bringing outstanding legal services to his clients in dealing with their family law issues.  Peter brings intelligence and understanding to all matters involving family law, including divorce, custody, high asset cases, legal separation,  parenting time, support, and a wide range of other family law disputes.  In addition, Peter has an active appellate practice defending and prosecuting appeals ranging from complex civil litigation to family law disputes.          Peter is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and has been selected as an Oregon Super Lawyer.  Peter is a frequent speaker on a wide variety of topics for continuing legal education seminars. In addition to his work as a lawyer, Peter’s interests include composing and recording music, running, and reading.  Peter is a published songwriter.  He has been a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammy Awards) since 1982.  Peter remains active in the music industry, and has recorded and produced several local artists.            

Practices Areas

Child custody

Divorce and separation

Language

English

Contact

The Law Firm of Peter Bunch1200 NW Naito ParkwaySuite 450Portland, OR, 97209 Office (503) 688-5123 1200 NW Naito ParkwaySuite 450Suite 450Portland, OR, 97209 Office (503) 688-5123(503) 688-5123

Office: (503) 928-6531

Website: N/A

Reviews

Jessica
December 17, 2021

It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am to Peter and his paralegal Amanda. Custody/divorce cases are a very sensitive area of law and need to be handled with a level of fragility being that there are children involved. I was going up against an abusive ex and an equally nasty opposing counsel which caused a tremendous amount of anxiety for me. Throughout the entirety of my case, Peter remained professional, calm and always looked out for the best interest of my daughter. Because of the uncooperative nature of my ex, we were not able to come to a settlement agreement and ended up going to trial...this is where I really got to see Peter shine. After months and months of aggressive emails from opposing counsel with the intention to not only hurt me, but also completely ignore the best interest of my daughter, I was terrified to go to trial. I had been emotionally abused by my ex for years which had lowered my self confidence to a level that I just wanted to give up, but I am SO glad I trusted Peter to fight fearlessly, which is exactly what he did. I'll never forget this pivotal moment.....while I was being questioned on cross exam, I got frustrated that Peter wasn't objecting when I felt he could have stopped the unnecessary and tedious details opposing counsel was seeking. I sent Peter a text asking him to object as I felt my blood pressure rising. Peter's response was "be patient, he's losing the court. It's almost over. Be Mr. Rogers". That last part, "be Mr. Rogers" was one of the most profound pieces of advice I could have gotten in that moment or really any moment in life to be totally honest. It calmed my nerves immediately and I was able to keep my cool while opposing counsel continued to make himself look bad. Because of Peter's skills and impressive knowledge in Family Law, I prevailed in every area of my case and the judge awarded me exactly what I asked for. The judge also invited Peter to apply for my attorney's fees at the end which was not only a relief for my finances, it was also incredibly validating. Everything I had gone through with my ex was traumatic and I think the judge really got a sense of how awful my ex was due to how Peter presented the facts. Peter's #1 goal was to protect my daughter and make sure her best interest was always at the forefront of everything he did. I cant thank Peter and Amanda enough for everything they did for me and my daughter. If you're looking for a good family law attorney, look no further, Peter is your guy. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Mark
August 9, 2021

Peter Bunch has represented me since Feb, 2020. Despite numerous hurdles and detours presented by my wife’s lawyer, which he successfully defended, Peter has maintained principled, yet vigorous representation in keeping with my wishes. We’re finally reaching judgment, despite a global pandemic, which presented its own novel issues. During the trial the judge acknowledged that Peter’s command of legal authority ("encyclopedic") to support my position was greater than the judge’s, despite over 25 years on the bench. While he has maintained a steady yet calculating demeanor, he regularly schooled the opposition on the law, who literally acknowledged his superior command of the law. Peter has provided clear advice os to how best to present my case, carefully preparing me at every turn. He works solo, so, while he juggles clients’ needs, the work product is his responsibility alone, which he takes very seriously. I would recommend Peter without hesitation. I must add that Amanda Monaghan, Peter's assistant, provides superior support.

anonymous
February 19, 2019

Peter and Amanda went above and beyond representing me in my divorce custody case. This last year has been the most painful experience I have ever encountered. Dealing with my ex was far from easy but they were there to support me along the way. I was recommended to Peters firm from a friend who also divorced a narcissistic ex. Normal divorces are hard enough but when dealing with this kind of personality disorder along with horrible abuse and trauma it is a whole new ballgame. Peter and Amanda were very supportive and gentle with me. After a year my divorce was finally over. Peter fought till the end and I will be forever grateful. I have full custody of my daugter and the amount of alimony and child support we needed. Thank you so much! I wouldn’t go with anyone else when it comes to divorce/custody cases.

Charles
February 17, 2018

Peter took a very difficult case for me very late in the process. He literally turned my case around, getting my daughter into a better/healthier situation. - He cares about you and your family - Knows the law, your rights - Is very respectful to all parties involved but has his clients interests always in mind. - Is absolutely amazing! - Is worth every penny.

anonymous
January 20, 2018

Peter Bunch and his team have served me extremely well through the course of an extensive divorce and subsequent custody issues. He helped to defend me and my children in the face of an aggressive and angry ex-spouse, who had equally aggressive representation. He provided wise counsel which ultimately served me and my children, even in the face of restraining orders against my ex-spouse. I would recommend Peter, Amanda and his team to anyone in search of a thoughtful, caring legal crew. They spent time getting to know my case very well so they could advocate for the best ultimate outcome. I feel lucky to have chosen this group to represent me. I have friends who have subsequently worked with them, and who feel the same way.

Cami
January 17, 2018

Peter Bunch is a truly outstanding attorney, as well as an incredibly compassionate human being. After enduring 9 months of very little progress, poor representation and outrageous bills from my previous attorney, I could see no end in sight to a contentious and very difficult divorce with an unstable spouse. With only 3 weeks until the scheduled trial date, Peter expertly and firmly took control of the situation, laid out a solid plan of action, and quickly moved forward toward a settlement. He was a calm, strong advocate, and I truly felt that he had my best interests and my children’s well-being at heart. Peter was very accessible to discuss my case and answer any questions I had, including during weekends, evenings and vacation. He helped me set fair and realistic expectations, and I appreciated his honesty and integrity. He also alerted me to tax law changes which would have affected our case should it have been further delayed; neither my former attorney nor the opposing counsel seemed aware of the impending legislation which could have negatively affected both me and my soon-to-be ex-spouse. In a nutshell, Peter and his excellent staff were able to take a complete mess of files from my former attorney, put a plan into action, work quickly and efficiently, and have a signed settlement agreement in front of me in 7 weeks, for a fraction of the billings from my previous “reputable” attorney. I was so fortunate to have been recommended to and represented by Peter Bunch. My only regret is that I make the switch months earlier. I highly recommend him.

Dan
October 31, 2017

Peter is a fantastic attorney. His calm demeanor lends itself well to a courtroom setting. He was very thorough in my case and was realistic related to the projected outcome. During my case, I was entering the courtroom for a session when an attorney for the previously presented case passed by me. As he did, he stopped me and said "You've got the best attorney around." This spoke volumes to me in that Peter's peers think very highly of him. If I am ever faced with the need for an attorney in the future, I definitely know who to call.

anonymous
September 25, 2017

When you hire Peter Bunch to represent you, you are hiring an exceptional advocate. My case was a very difficult and contentious one, with lots of distractions and drama, but Peter was able to untangle the mess and focus clearly and persistently on getting me a very favorable result. Not only is Peter immediately responsive, he does his homework and thoughtfully answered the questions I asked. He was both courteous and prompt with requests from opposing counsel, but not afraid to call them out when they were less than forthcoming with what was requested of them. Peter also makes his clients feel protected and fairly represented. Finally, his support staff is also excellent, though Peter does give each client his direct and personal attention for the duration of the case. He surpassed my expectations for advocacy and representation and I am happy to give him my highest recommendation.

Mark
September 11, 2017

Peter is a great lawyer and runs what I call a very professional business. I hired Peter for a Divorce and was please at his professionalism, his ability to keep the process amicable as possible while still representing & standing up for my interests. I recommended Peter to two close friends and they have both been very happy with his services. For those with past poor experiences with lawyers a couple of things I want to highlight - No frivolous billing practices! - He does not over promise, he is clear what to expect and what he can deliver and what is less likely to be achieved - He listens and speak non-lawyer language - You never feel rushed

Mark
April 4, 2016

Peter handled my very contentious divorce - contentious because opposing counsel was dead-set on creating as much havoc as possible. Peter gave me great advice that was beyond just legal advice, it was life advice. He lifted me out of the alligator swamp and got me through it quickly. Afterward, everything that he said would happen regarding my ex- was spot on and I ended up spending less and getting a better settlement over time, including full custody of my kids - I and I'm the FATHER, who typically gets the bad end of the custody deal!

Jessica
December 17, 2021

It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am to Peter and his paralegal Amanda. Custody/divorce cases are a very sensitive area of law and need to be handled with a level of fragility being that there are children involved. I was going up against an abusive ex and an equally nasty opposing counsel which caused a tremendous amount of anxiety for me. Throughout the entirety of my case, Peter remained professional, calm and always looked out for the best interest of my daughter. Because of the uncooperative nature of my ex, we were not able to come to a settlement agreement and ended up going to trial...this is where I really got to see Peter shine. After months and months of aggressive emails from opposing counsel with the intention to not only hurt me, but also completely ignore the best interest of my daughter, I was terrified to go to trial. I had been emotionally abused by my ex for years which had lowered my self confidence to a level that I just wanted to give up, but I am SO glad I trusted Peter to fight fearlessly, which is exactly what he did. I'll never forget this pivotal moment.....while I was being questioned on cross exam, I got frustrated that Peter wasn't objecting when I felt he could have stopped the unnecessary and tedious details opposing counsel was seeking. I sent Peter a text asking him to object as I felt my blood pressure rising. Peter's response was "be patient, he's losing the court. It's almost over. Be Mr. Rogers". That last part, "be Mr. Rogers" was one of the most profound pieces of advice I could have gotten in that moment or really any moment in life to be totally honest. It calmed my nerves immediately and I was able to keep my cool while opposing counsel continued to make himself look bad. Because of Peter's skills and impressive knowledge in Family Law, I prevailed in every area of my case and the judge awarded me exactly what I asked for. The judge also invited Peter to apply for my attorney's fees at the end which was not only a relief for my finances, it was also incredibly validating. Everything I had gone through with my ex was traumatic and I think the judge really got a sense of how awful my ex was due to how Peter presented the facts. Peter's #1 goal was to protect my daughter and make sure her best interest was always at the forefront of everything he did. I cant thank Peter and Amanda enough for everything they did for me and my daughter. If you're looking for a good family law attorney, look no further, Peter is your guy. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Mark
August 9, 2021

Peter Bunch has represented me since Feb, 2020. Despite numerous hurdles and detours presented by my wife’s lawyer, which he successfully defended, Peter has maintained principled, yet vigorous representation in keeping with my wishes. We’re finally reaching judgment, despite a global pandemic, which presented its own novel issues. During the trial the judge acknowledged that Peter’s command of legal authority ("encyclopedic") to support my position was greater than the judge’s, despite over 25 years on the bench. While he has maintained a steady yet calculating demeanor, he regularly schooled the opposition on the law, who literally acknowledged his superior command of the law. Peter has provided clear advice os to how best to present my case, carefully preparing me at every turn. He works solo, so, while he juggles clients’ needs, the work product is his responsibility alone, which he takes very seriously. I would recommend Peter without hesitation. I must add that Amanda Monaghan, Peter's assistant, provides superior support.

anonymous
February 19, 2019

Peter and Amanda went above and beyond representing me in my divorce custody case. This last year has been the most painful experience I have ever encountered. Dealing with my ex was far from easy but they were there to support me along the way. I was recommended to Peters firm from a friend who also divorced a narcissistic ex. Normal divorces are hard enough but when dealing with this kind of personality disorder along with horrible abuse and trauma it is a whole new ballgame. Peter and Amanda were very supportive and gentle with me. After a year my divorce was finally over. Peter fought till the end and I will be forever grateful. I have full custody of my daugter and the amount of alimony and child support we needed. Thank you so much! I wouldn’t go with anyone else when it comes to divorce/custody cases.

Charles
February 17, 2018

Peter took a very difficult case for me very late in the process. He literally turned my case around, getting my daughter into a better/healthier situation. - He cares about you and your family - Knows the law, your rights - Is very respectful to all parties involved but has his clients interests always in mind. - Is absolutely amazing! - Is worth every penny.

anonymous
January 20, 2018

Peter Bunch and his team have served me extremely well through the course of an extensive divorce and subsequent custody issues. He helped to defend me and my children in the face of an aggressive and angry ex-spouse, who had equally aggressive representation. He provided wise counsel which ultimately served me and my children, even in the face of restraining orders against my ex-spouse. I would recommend Peter, Amanda and his team to anyone in search of a thoughtful, caring legal crew. They spent time getting to know my case very well so they could advocate for the best ultimate outcome. I feel lucky to have chosen this group to represent me. I have friends who have subsequently worked with them, and who feel the same way.

Cami
January 17, 2018

Peter Bunch is a truly outstanding attorney, as well as an incredibly compassionate human being. After enduring 9 months of very little progress, poor representation and outrageous bills from my previous attorney, I could see no end in sight to a contentious and very difficult divorce with an unstable spouse. With only 3 weeks until the scheduled trial date, Peter expertly and firmly took control of the situation, laid out a solid plan of action, and quickly moved forward toward a settlement. He was a calm, strong advocate, and I truly felt that he had my best interests and my children’s well-being at heart. Peter was very accessible to discuss my case and answer any questions I had, including during weekends, evenings and vacation. He helped me set fair and realistic expectations, and I appreciated his honesty and integrity. He also alerted me to tax law changes which would have affected our case should it have been further delayed; neither my former attorney nor the opposing counsel seemed aware of the impending legislation which could have negatively affected both me and my soon-to-be ex-spouse. In a nutshell, Peter and his excellent staff were able to take a complete mess of files from my former attorney, put a plan into action, work quickly and efficiently, and have a signed settlement agreement in front of me in 7 weeks, for a fraction of the billings from my previous “reputable” attorney. I was so fortunate to have been recommended to and represented by Peter Bunch. My only regret is that I make the switch months earlier. I highly recommend him.

Dan
October 31, 2017

Peter is a fantastic attorney. His calm demeanor lends itself well to a courtroom setting. He was very thorough in my case and was realistic related to the projected outcome. During my case, I was entering the courtroom for a session when an attorney for the previously presented case passed by me. As he did, he stopped me and said "You've got the best attorney around." This spoke volumes to me in that Peter's peers think very highly of him. If I am ever faced with the need for an attorney in the future, I definitely know who to call.

anonymous
September 25, 2017

When you hire Peter Bunch to represent you, you are hiring an exceptional advocate. My case was a very difficult and contentious one, with lots of distractions and drama, but Peter was able to untangle the mess and focus clearly and persistently on getting me a very favorable result. Not only is Peter immediately responsive, he does his homework and thoughtfully answered the questions I asked. He was both courteous and prompt with requests from opposing counsel, but not afraid to call them out when they were less than forthcoming with what was requested of them. Peter also makes his clients feel protected and fairly represented. Finally, his support staff is also excellent, though Peter does give each client his direct and personal attention for the duration of the case. He surpassed my expectations for advocacy and representation and I am happy to give him my highest recommendation.

Mark
September 11, 2017

Peter is a great lawyer and runs what I call a very professional business. I hired Peter for a Divorce and was please at his professionalism, his ability to keep the process amicable as possible while still representing & standing up for my interests. I recommended Peter to two close friends and they have both been very happy with his services. For those with past poor experiences with lawyers a couple of things I want to highlight - No frivolous billing practices! - He does not over promise, he is clear what to expect and what he can deliver and what is less likely to be achieved - He listens and speak non-lawyer language - You never feel rushed

Mark
April 4, 2016

Peter handled my very contentious divorce - contentious because opposing counsel was dead-set on creating as much havoc as possible. Peter gave me great advice that was beyond just legal advice, it was life advice. He lifted me out of the alligator swamp and got me through it quickly. Afterward, everything that he said would happen regarding my ex- was spot on and I ended up spending less and getting a better settlement over time, including full custody of my kids - I and I'm the FATHER, who typically gets the bad end of the custody deal!

Jessica
December 17, 2021

It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am to Peter and his paralegal Amanda. Custody/divorce cases are a very sensitive area of law and need to be handled with a level of fragility being that there are children involved. I was going up against an abusive ex and an equally nasty opposing counsel which caused a tremendous amount of anxiety for me. Throughout the entirety of my case, Peter remained professional, calm and always looked out for the best interest of my daughter. Because of the uncooperative nature of my ex, we were not able to come to a settlement agreement and ended up going to trial...this is where I really got to see Peter shine. After months and months of aggressive emails from opposing counsel with the intention to not only hurt me, but also completely ignore the best interest of my daughter, I was terrified to go to trial. I had been emotionally abused by my ex for years which had lowered my self confidence to a level that I just wanted to give up, but I am SO glad I trusted Peter to fight fearlessly, which is exactly what he did. I'll never forget this pivotal moment.....while I was being questioned on cross exam, I got frustrated that Peter wasn't objecting when I felt he could have stopped the unnecessary and tedious details opposing counsel was seeking. I sent Peter a text asking him to object as I felt my blood pressure rising. Peter's response was "be patient, he's losing the court. It's almost over. Be Mr. Rogers". That last part, "be Mr. Rogers" was one of the most profound pieces of advice I could have gotten in that moment or really any moment in life to be totally honest. It calmed my nerves immediately and I was able to keep my cool while opposing counsel continued to make himself look bad. Because of Peter's skills and impressive knowledge in Family Law, I prevailed in every area of my case and the judge awarded me exactly what I asked for. The judge also invited Peter to apply for my attorney's fees at the end which was not only a relief for my finances, it was also incredibly validating. Everything I had gone through with my ex was traumatic and I think the judge really got a sense of how awful my ex was due to how Peter presented the facts. Peter's #1 goal was to protect my daughter and make sure her best interest was always at the forefront of everything he did. I cant thank Peter and Amanda enough for everything they did for me and my daughter. If you're looking for a good family law attorney, look no further, Peter is your guy. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Mark
August 9, 2021

Peter Bunch has represented me since Feb, 2020. Despite numerous hurdles and detours presented by my wife’s lawyer, which he successfully defended, Peter has maintained principled, yet vigorous representation in keeping with my wishes. We’re finally reaching judgment, despite a global pandemic, which presented its own novel issues. During the trial the judge acknowledged that Peter’s command of legal authority ("encyclopedic") to support my position was greater than the judge’s, despite over 25 years on the bench. While he has maintained a steady yet calculating demeanor, he regularly schooled the opposition on the law, who literally acknowledged his superior command of the law. Peter has provided clear advice os to how best to present my case, carefully preparing me at every turn. He works solo, so, while he juggles clients’ needs, the work product is his responsibility alone, which he takes very seriously. I would recommend Peter without hesitation. I must add that Amanda Monaghan, Peter's assistant, provides superior support.

anonymous
February 19, 2019

Peter and Amanda went above and beyond representing me in my divorce custody case. This last year has been the most painful experience I have ever encountered. Dealing with my ex was far from easy but they were there to support me along the way. I was recommended to Peters firm from a friend who also divorced a narcissistic ex. Normal divorces are hard enough but when dealing with this kind of personality disorder along with horrible abuse and trauma it is a whole new ballgame. Peter and Amanda were very supportive and gentle with me. After a year my divorce was finally over. Peter fought till the end and I will be forever grateful. I have full custody of my daugter and the amount of alimony and child support we needed. Thank you so much! I wouldn’t go with anyone else when it comes to divorce/custody cases.

Charles
February 17, 2018

Peter took a very difficult case for me very late in the process. He literally turned my case around, getting my daughter into a better/healthier situation. - He cares about you and your family - Knows the law, your rights - Is very respectful to all parties involved but has his clients interests always in mind. - Is absolutely amazing! - Is worth every penny.

anonymous
January 20, 2018

Peter Bunch and his team have served me extremely well through the course of an extensive divorce and subsequent custody issues. He helped to defend me and my children in the face of an aggressive and angry ex-spouse, who had equally aggressive representation. He provided wise counsel which ultimately served me and my children, even in the face of restraining orders against my ex-spouse. I would recommend Peter, Amanda and his team to anyone in search of a thoughtful, caring legal crew. They spent time getting to know my case very well so they could advocate for the best ultimate outcome. I feel lucky to have chosen this group to represent me. I have friends who have subsequently worked with them, and who feel the same way.

Cami
January 17, 2018

Peter Bunch is a truly outstanding attorney, as well as an incredibly compassionate human being. After enduring 9 months of very little progress, poor representation and outrageous bills from my previous attorney, I could see no end in sight to a contentious and very difficult divorce with an unstable spouse. With only 3 weeks until the scheduled trial date, Peter expertly and firmly took control of the situation, laid out a solid plan of action, and quickly moved forward toward a settlement. He was a calm, strong advocate, and I truly felt that he had my best interests and my children’s well-being at heart. Peter was very accessible to discuss my case and answer any questions I had, including during weekends, evenings and vacation. He helped me set fair and realistic expectations, and I appreciated his honesty and integrity. He also alerted me to tax law changes which would have affected our case should it have been further delayed; neither my former attorney nor the opposing counsel seemed aware of the impending legislation which could have negatively affected both me and my soon-to-be ex-spouse. In a nutshell, Peter and his excellent staff were able to take a complete mess of files from my former attorney, put a plan into action, work quickly and efficiently, and have a signed settlement agreement in front of me in 7 weeks, for a fraction of the billings from my previous “reputable” attorney. I was so fortunate to have been recommended to and represented by Peter Bunch. My only regret is that I make the switch months earlier. I highly recommend him.

Dan
October 31, 2017

Peter is a fantastic attorney. His calm demeanor lends itself well to a courtroom setting. He was very thorough in my case and was realistic related to the projected outcome. During my case, I was entering the courtroom for a session when an attorney for the previously presented case passed by me. As he did, he stopped me and said "You've got the best attorney around." This spoke volumes to me in that Peter's peers think very highly of him. If I am ever faced with the need for an attorney in the future, I definitely know who to call.

anonymous
September 25, 2017

When you hire Peter Bunch to represent you, you are hiring an exceptional advocate. My case was a very difficult and contentious one, with lots of distractions and drama, but Peter was able to untangle the mess and focus clearly and persistently on getting me a very favorable result. Not only is Peter immediately responsive, he does his homework and thoughtfully answered the questions I asked. He was both courteous and prompt with requests from opposing counsel, but not afraid to call them out when they were less than forthcoming with what was requested of them. Peter also makes his clients feel protected and fairly represented. Finally, his support staff is also excellent, though Peter does give each client his direct and personal attention for the duration of the case. He surpassed my expectations for advocacy and representation and I am happy to give him my highest recommendation.

Mark
September 11, 2017

Peter is a great lawyer and runs what I call a very professional business. I hired Peter for a Divorce and was please at his professionalism, his ability to keep the process amicable as possible while still representing & standing up for my interests. I recommended Peter to two close friends and they have both been very happy with his services. For those with past poor experiences with lawyers a couple of things I want to highlight - No frivolous billing practices! - He does not over promise, he is clear what to expect and what he can deliver and what is less likely to be achieved - He listens and speak non-lawyer language - You never feel rushed

Mark
April 4, 2016

Peter handled my very contentious divorce - contentious because opposing counsel was dead-set on creating as much havoc as possible. Peter gave me great advice that was beyond just legal advice, it was life advice. He lifted me out of the alligator swamp and got me through it quickly. Afterward, everything that he said would happen regarding my ex- was spot on and I ended up spending less and getting a better settlement over time, including full custody of my kids - I and I'm the FATHER, who typically gets the bad end of the custody deal!