Close

Gevurtz Menashe

PDX 503.227.1515
WA 360.823.0410

Portland attorney and Gevurtz Menashe Associate William J. Howe III

William J. Howe III

Of Counsel
Bill's skillful and effective representation for more than 35 years has earned the respect of his clients, as well as judges and adversaries. His many honors include Lawyer of the Year for 2009 by Best Lawyers publication. Bill has received Martindale Hubbell's highest "AV" rating for over 25 years and for many years has been listed in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. Bill was asked by Governor Roberts and later Governor Kitzhaber to Chair the Oregon Task Force on Family Law and has been appointed by both Chief Justice Carson and later Chief Justice DeMuniz to serve as Vice-Chair of the Statewide Family Law Advisory Committee. Bill has made more than 100 family law related presentations to lawyers, judges and others on four continents and published several family law articles.

Bill's practice includes all areas of family law with special emphasis on premarital agreements, complex property and children's issues and appeals.

When handling divorces, Bill recognizes that divorce is a process, not an event. Divorce re-constellates a family; it does not end the family. Clients need and deserve sensitive, tenacious and highly competent guidance through this difficult process. Bill's goal in every case is that his client feels that their matter has been concluded with professionalism and integrity and in a way that leaves them prepared to embrace their future with confidence.

When not in the office Bill can be found enjoying time with his wife, son and three step-children, two step-grandchildren, traveling, windsurfing, hiking, reading or working on his most recent project, producing the world premier of the musical play Recognition.

Education

Publications

  • Finding the Balance: Ethical Challenges and Best Practices for Lawyers Representing Parents When the Interest of Children are at Stake, with Hugh McIsaac, Family Court Review, Volume 46, Number 1, January 2008.
  • Oregon Task Force on Family Law - Creating a New Family Conflict Resolution System, Healing Currents Journal, February, 199
  • Unbundling Legal Services: A Part of the Oregon Task Force on Family Law Reform Package, Oregon State Bar Bulletin, 1997

Activities

  • Chair, Oregon Task Force on Family Law, 1993-1997 (Appointed by Gov. Roberts and re-appointed by Gov. Kitzhaber)
  • Vice Chair, Statewide Family Law Advisory Committee. (Appointed by Chief Justice Carson and re-appointed by Chief Justice DeMuniz)
  • Member, Board of Directors of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (Various Years)
  • Oregon Family Institute, Board of Directors and President, 2004
  • Former President (two terms) and Board Member for many years, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners
  • Former Member, Juvenile Court Improvement Advisory Committee
  • Former Member, Oregon Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee
  • Mediator, Oregon Court of Appeals Panel
  • Served on numerous Oregon State Bar committees
  • Pro Tem and Reference Judge
  • Instructed at over 100 conferences on family law for lawyers, judges and mental health professionals in U.S., Canada, Australia and Europe
  • Provided testimony on numerous occasions to the Oregon Legislature on family law issues
  • Presenter at 4th World Congress on Family Law and the Rights of Children & Youth, Cape Town, South Africa, March, 2005
  • Delegate and Presenter to the Second World Congress on Family Law and the Rights of Children & Youth, San Francisco, CA, June, 1997
  • Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006

Honors

  • Oregon State Bar 2003 Pro Bono Challenge Award - Most Total Hours Pro Bono Service (Active Member Category)
  • Listed in 'The Best Lawyers in America', for Family Law 2014 - 2010
  • Chosen as Best Lawyers Magazine "Family Law Lawyer of the Year, Portland, Oregon for 2009"
  • 2010 Honors Edition of Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals
  • Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, Best Lawyers and Portland Best Lawyer publications for many years

Contact William

Please do not include any confidential, secret or otherwise sensitive information concering any potential or actual legal matter in this e-mail message. Unsolicited e-mails do not create an attorney-client relationship and confidential or secret information included in such e-mails cannot be protected from disclosure. Gevurtz Menashe does not have a duty or a legal obligation to keep confidential any information that you provide to us. Also, please note that our attorneys do not seek to practice law in any jurisdiction in which they are not properly authorized to do so.

Thank you for your message. Our team proudly represents families with all types of family law and estate planning matters and excellent client care is our number one goal at Gevurtz Menashe. One of our client service coordinators will respond to your inquiry within one business day.

We look forward to speaking with you.