Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC

I've been very pleased with my recent dealings with Southwest Portland Law Group. Lindsey Daniels made working on my estate plan a smooth and painless experience and I can highly recommend her for anyone considering making a will.

We used SW Portland Law for the restatement our Estate Plan. We had used a different attorney for the initial Trust and the first restatement. But the second experience was worse than the first and so, when it came time for the second restatement, we were certain that we would seek someone different. How can I possibly tell if the attorney has done a good job? I can't. Perhaps my beneficiaries will find out - but then it's too late to change. The best I can do is to see if I am treated with respect and, from there, guess if the attorney seems likely to listen to my concerns, explain things carefully and in detail, and be patient with my inevitable confusions on legal details. Sadly, this seems to be a pretty high bar. Now technology is a wonderful thing and I use lots of it myself. But it can be used as a barrier between me and my attorney. I was dumbfounded by the fact that so many attorneys would not even talk to me until I had filled out their massive form. SW Portland Law is not like that. They were happy to meet with me in person for a lengthy, no cost, meeting at which time they listened carefully to our concerns including complications, like having beneficiaries who are not in the US and minors. They also responded with fairly specific options as to how they might deal with such things. This was in stark contrast to our experiences up to that time. For example, having paid an hour's fee, another attorney hardly listened to what we considered the main issue but, rather, simply told us the menu of things that was on offer and presented us with a (rather pricey) shopping list. So, having tried and failed with about ten law firms, it was a great relief to meet Lindsey Daniel at SW Portland Law. So we went with them. But what next? Obviously, the attorney needs lots of information and I had lots of information already prepared and, yes, technology has it's place. The respectful meeting had taken place at the right time (the beginning) and there was no need to have face-to-face meetings in the next phases, so a sensible iteration took place by file exchange. I would receive sets of documents with key areas highlighted. I would respond, agreeing to the things I was happy with, asking questions about others. Making suggestions etc. The process worked extremely well from my point of view. I suspect that it was not ideal from Lindsey's point of view because I was often a bit tardy in getting back to her. But she never complained. There was one massive delay as a result of my wife having an accident and ending up in rehab for months. All the delays were on my part. Lindsey was prompt and very clear with all her comments and extremely considerate in dealing with any subtle nuances that I brought up. I suppose it's inevitable; everything is very special to the client but may be a bit ho-hum to the experienced attorney. But we were never treated in an off-hand way. There was no pressure on us and, in our time, we did get things to an advanced stage. At that point, and it was Lindsey's judgment call, she felt that it was time to have another face to face and take lots of time to go over the entire thing in detail. After that there were only a couple of tiny things to be done. Those were dealt with and we met again for the signing. During this process I learned several things that are very important and provide flexibility that I had not thought was possible. Our first attorney had never mentioned such things. There is a subtle but important difference in approach. I now realize (at least it is my impression) that some attorneys create estate plans the way they think they should be created. SW Portland Law creates them the way that best fits the clients wishes, subject to Oregon Law. That's a big difference. One should not take the selection of an Estate Attorney lightly. We didn't. We spent a huge amount of time and significant money before we found SW Portland Law. Perhaps this review will save you the wasted time and money and you can go to them first.

At first I felt like Jeremey was listening to what I had to say. I was asked to sign a agreement and give the firm a check for 2,700.00 to put in a trust for legal fee's well after holding on to my funds for 2 to 3 weeks without a word. I was told that he was too busy to take the case in reality did not want to bother with the case. I explained myself upfront that is why he asked for a deposit only to come back to tell me he can't help well that was fine if he would have stated that upfront, but he waited until I was within 7 days for losing my rights to sue because of this 2 to 3 weeks without a word and then , I can't help my money was sent back to me what a waste of time to me these oregon lawyers are useless and they keep referring and nothing happens . You are constantly repeating your same story until some good attorney decides to step in . I am sorry the lawyer knew what he was up against so he asked for the deposit it was given to him only to hold on to my funds and say he sorry , He took on another case, and dismissed my case, he had the reception state the reason. When I talked with him he gave a different story well if he was going to lie and be dishonest I guess it was for the best to get away from the nightmare he has caused would not reccomend take your money hold on to it and come back with a REASON WHY HE CAN'T REPRESENT YOU . , AFTER BEING PAID AND HIRED. PEOPLE BEWARE WARE. iF YOU HAVE A SERIOUS CASE PLEASE DON NOT USE THIS LAW FIRM UNRELIABLE AND SUPICIOUS .

Estate Law Firm's Javier Spyker is the best attorney I didn't get a chance to work with! Grin. Let me explain - he kindly took a consultation call with me to discuss a multi-tiered estate/trust issue. He was above and beyond knowledgeable, patient - and then I realized I needed an attorney with an out of state licensing. He was more than happy to have been of help and offered to refer a qualified attorney for the state issues we need guidance on. I would happily refer Javier to anyone, even based on this initial consultation. Thank you!

Be careful with this business. I strongly suggest, do not provide any personal information to them. I booked appointment few times (weeks in advance) and they seek your info. Minutes before the appointment time, they will call and tell that your appointment is canceled. If asked for reason behind cancelation, reply is you are double booked. It is this repetitive nature of cancelation and the way they answer the reasons of cancelation is making me suspicious of this business. Be careful people.