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Jeffrey S. Matthews

Of Counsel

"I care deeply about the personal growth and peace my clients experience through the successful resolution of their legal issues."

Oregon
Portland
(503) 227-1515
Jeffrey is a veteran family law attorney with over 35 years of experience in Oregon family law. Through his years of community leadership, professionalism, and interdisciplinary issues, he has distinguished himself as one of Portland’s most established and respected family law attorneys. While also skilled at high-conflict custody litigation, Jeff primarily focuses his practice on financially complex divorce cases that include the valuation and protection of high net worth estates, business interests, and other marital property distribution. As a trusted counselor for his clients, Jeff takes a duel-dimensional approach to his practice. First, as a supportive guide through what can typically be a major life transition—and second, as a zealous advocate, committed to protecting what his clients value most.
 
As a leader in Portland philanthropic community, Jeff has served with a number of non-profit organizations that aid those in need. In 1997, Jeff founded Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger which has raised over $2.5 million for the Oregon Food Bank since its inception.  Recently, Jeff co-founded Lawyers for Literacy, designed to raise funds and volunteers for SMART Reader. When he’s not working, Jeff loves the great outdoors, often accompanied by his two Bernese Mountain dogs, Amos Lee and Peaches. He enjoys literature and music and is a die-hard, unwavering and uncompromising Oregon Ducks fan.
 

Education

  • Juris Doctorate, University of Oregon School of Law, 1981
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Oregon, 1977

Publications

  • “Retirement Benefits,” Oregon State Bar, Family Law CLE Publication, 1989 and 1997 Editions
  • “Bankruptcy in Family Law” Oregon State Bar’s Debtor/Creditor Section
  • “Effective Cost Management in Divorce Cases” Oregon Law Institute
  • “Family Law Mediation” Panel Presentation, Oregon State Bar ADR Section
  • “Attorney Fees in Family Law Cases” Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
  • “Premarital and Postmarital Agreements” The Seminar Group
  • “Good for Members, Good for the Profession, Good for the Community” The Multnomah Lawyer

Activities

  • Immediate Past President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 2018-2021
  • President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Oregon Chapter, 2014-2018
  • President-Elect, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Oregon Chapter, 2013
  • Past President & Board Member, Multnomah Bar Foundation, 2005-2007
  • Past Secretary & Board Member, Multnomah Bar Association, 2001-2005
  • Co-Founder of the CourtCare Campaign for the Multnomah Bar Foundation, 2004
  • Chair, Multnomah Bar Association CLE Committee, 2000
  • Member, Multnomah Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee, 2016-2018
  • Member, Multnomah Bar Association Membership Committee, 2018-2019
  • Member, Multnomah Bar Association Professionalism Committee, 2019-Present
  • Member, Oregon State Bar
  • Member, Multnomah Bar Association (MBA)
  • Member, Washington County Bar Association (WCBA)
  • Member, Clackamas County Bar Association (CCBA)

Civic

  • Founder, Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger, 1997
  • Board Member, Oregon Food Bank, 1999-2004
  • Board of Director’s, Portland Children’s Relief Nursery, 2008-2012
  • Past Vice President & Board Member, Northwest Housing Alternatives, 1999-2004
  • Co-Founder, Lawyer’s For Literacy (benefitting SMART), 2017-Present

Honors

  • Distinguished as an Oregon Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®, 2007-2019
  • Peer review rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell® since 1999
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2020
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
  • Multnomah Bar Association’s Award of Merit for Outstanding Service to the Profession and the Bar, 2000
  • Avvo.com 10.0 “Superb” rating
  • The National Trial Lawyers Association
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Oregon, 2010