Beth originally joined our firm in March of 2007 and became a partner in the summer of 2011.  When she initially joined the firm, she divided her time between family law and estate planning.  Now, Beth primarily focuses her practice on estate planning for both traditional and non-traditional families, working closely with her clients to create quality estate plans that are unique to the needs of each individual or family.  Beth also enjoys working in a practice area that enables her to maintain long-lasting relationships with her clients.

In addition to maintaining a busy estate planning practice, Beth is also actively involved in the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) at her daughter’s school, and is a current member of the Docubank LGBT Advisory Board, Oregon Women Lawyers, the Oregon Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Association (OGALLA), and the Portland Area Business Association (PABA).  She speaks each year on topics such as:  planning to protect your family and children, planning for your pet’s care and needs, issues affecting the LGBT community, and marriage equality.

Prior to joining our firm, Beth worked as a judicial clerk for the Hon. Marilyn Litzenberger, and served as a staff attorney for Southern Arizona Legal Aid, and then later for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.  Prior to becoming a lawyer, Beth worked in a variety of capacities as an advocate for the elderly, for the developmentally disabled, and for homeless pets.

Beth grew up in Portland, Oregon, and enjoys all this area has to offer. In her free time, Beth and her partner and their lovely daughter enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing and a multitude of other outdoor activities.  Beth has also recently completed training for her neighborhood’s Community Emergency Response Team and looks forward to participating in additional training for emergency response, HAM radio operation, search and rescue, and wilderness survival.

Bar Admissions
State Bar of Oregon, 2005 – present
State of Washington, 2012 – present
State Bar of Arizona, 2002 – 2006
United States District Court, District of Arizona, 2003 – present
Pascua Yaqui Bar, 2003 – 2006
Tohono O’odham Bar, 2003 – 2006

Publications
Oregon Family Fairness Act: Charting a New Course, Washington County Bar Association Newsletter, Vol. 25, No. 2 (2008).

Trading Greenbacks for Green Behavior: Oregon and the City of Portland’s Environmental Incentives, (co-author with Mona Hymel and Roberta Mann), [ ] Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation [ ], Vol. 5 (2008).

Americans and their Wheels: A Tax Policy for Sustainable Mobility (co-author with Mona Hymel), 3 Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation 113, Vol. 3 (2006).

The Jurisdiction of Indigenous Nations to Regulate Water Quality, and the Benefits of Collaborative Resource Management in Tribal Water Rights Essays in Contemporary Law, Policy and Economics, (2006)(Bonnie G. Colby and John E. Thorson, editors).

Water Rights Settlement of the Confederated Tribes of the Warms Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon in Negotiating Tribal Water Rights: Fulfilling Promises in the Arid West (2005)(Bonnie G. Colby and John Thorson, editors).

Presentations

Law and Medicine:  How to Protect Your Wishes for Care and Visitation (with Kerry Lear), May 21, 2011, Gay & Grey Expo, Portland, Oregon.

Wealth Accumulation for the LGBT Community (with Pride Financial Partners), March 29, 2011, Q Center, Portland, Oregon.

Unique Issues in Estate Planning For Gary Clients (with Beth A. Allen), March 2, 2011, Multnomah Bar Association, Portland, Oregon.

Estate Planning 101, June 22, 2010, Q Center, Portland, Oregon.

Gay and Grey:  Estate Planning Your Way, May 2010, Gay and Grey Expo, Portland, Oregon.

Financial and Legal Security for the GLBT Community, Important Strategies to Benefit You and Your Loved One While We Work Towards Marriage Equality, January 29, 2010, Ashland, Oregon.

Estate Planning 101, 2009 and 2010, Baby and Me, Portland, Oregon.

Planning to Protect LGBTQ Families, August 20, 2009, Portland, Oregon.

The Oregon Family Fairness Act: Charting a New Course, February 13, 2008, Hillsboro, Oregon.

Marriage Equality in Oregon: Things to Consider, Forest Grove, Oregon, October 9, 2008.

HB 2007: What Oregonians Can Expect, June 23, 2007.

Professional and Civic Service

2011 – present 2011 2011 2010 – present 2008 – 2010	Member, Community Emergency Response Team Volunteer, Lewis & Clark Mock Trial competition Volunteer, Lewis & Clark Moot Court course Volunteer, Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Board Member, Equity Foundation, Portland, Oregon
2007 – 2009	Board Member, Southwest Parent-Child Cooperative (Fundraising Co-Chair), Portland, Oregon.
2007 – 2009	Member, Affirmative Action Committee, Oregon State Bar
2007 – 2009	Member, Executive Committee of the Indian Law section of the Oregon State Bar.
2006 – 2007	Volunteer, Lawyer “Imprint Program” (Children’s Literacy), Portland, Oregon.
2006	Volunteer Foster Parent, Cat Adoption Team, Tualatin, Oregon.
2003 – 2004	Volunteer Wildlife Tracker, Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, Arizona.
2000 – 2003	Volunteer with the following organizations or projects in Tucson, AZ.: Habitat for Humanity, Lawyers for Literacy, Native Seeds Search, Protect Zuni Salt Lake, Tohono O’odham Waila Festival, High School Mock Trial competitions.

Professional Memberships

2010 – present	Portland Area Business Association
2010 – present	Oregon Gay and Lesbian Lawyer’s Association
2007 – present	Oregon Women Lawyers
2005 – present	Multnomah County Bar Association
2002 – 2005	American Bar Association
2002 – 2005	Pima County Bar Association