DeBast, Paul J.

Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Paul DeBast is one of Oregon's most experienced divorce attorneys. He prides himself on providing personalized attention and top quality representation to every client he represents. Paul is a frequent speaker on family law issues. He is a member of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a founder and member of the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners. He has served as a pro tem judge, as a director and officer of the Oregon State Bar Family Law Section and is a past President of the Washington County Bar Association. Paul represents clients in all areas of family law including divorce, custody, support, property divisions and premarital and cohabitation agreements. His goal is to achieve success through settlement and mediation. When that is not possible, he represents his clients aggressively in litigation. Paul represents clients throughout Oregon, including Portland, Oregon City, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, Aloha, Tualatin, Clackamas, Wilsonville, Multnomah County, Washington County and Clackamas County.

Areas of Practice:

100% Family Law Including divorce, custody, support, property divisions, premarital agreements and cohabitation agreements

Star Search Credentials:

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

West Practice Categories

Family Law, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Childrens' Rights, Collaborative Law, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements

Bar Admissions

• Oregon, 1972
• U.S. District Court District of Oregon, 1972

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners (Member/Co-founder)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section (Member)
• Oregon State Bar, Family Law Section (Member)
• Washington County Bar Association (Member/Past President)

Honors and Awards

• Recognized as an Oregon "Super Lawyer", 2006 - 2009
• Rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubble
• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Classes and Seminars

• Using Life Insurance to Secure Support Obligations, Oregon State Bar Conference: Crossroads of Estate Planning & Dissolution Law, 2009
• Accessing Retirement Benefits After Divorce, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2008
• Bucking the Trend in Spousal Support, Lewis and Clark Law School, 2006
• Spousal Support Myths and Realities, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2005
• Business Value & Divorce, An Analysis of Oregon Appellate Cases, Oregon State Bar, 2005
• Avoiding Life Insurance Malpractice in Divorce Cases, Oregon State Bar, 2004
• Avoiding Malpractice in Oregon Divorces, Clackamas County Bar Association, 2004
• What Every Good Divorce Lawyer Needs to Know About Life Insurance, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2004
• Innovative Tax Solutions for Divorce Cases, Washington County Bar Association, 2004
• Tips & Tricks to Obtain the Best Settlement, American Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2003
• Webber vs. Olsen and the Problem with Stipulated Judgments, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2000
• Retirement Accounts in Dissolution Cases, Washington County Bar Association, 1990
• Handling Retirement Benefits in Dissolution Cases, Oregon State Bar, 1985

Pro Bono Activities

• Washington County Pro Tem Judge, 2009/2010
• Director, Metropolitan Public Defender's Office, 1991 - 2006
• President, Metropolitan Public Defender's Office, 2003 - 2006
• Director, Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce, 1994 - 1996
• Member, West Side Light Rail Citizen's Advisory Committee, 1990 - 1995
• Chairman, Central Beaverton Advisory Committee, 1989 - 1993
• Member, Beaverton Sister Cities Foundation, 1986 - 1992
• President, Beaverton Sister Cities Foundation, 1990
• Director of Tualatin Valley Mental Health Center, 1981 - 1989
• President, Director of Tualatin Valley Mental Health Center, 1981 - 1989
• Member, Beaverton Citizens Advisory Task Force on Public Safety Building, 1984
• City of Beaverton Charter Review Committee, 1977
• Chairman of the Board of Directors Washington County Legal Aid, 1974 - 1979
• Former Chairman, Oregon State Bar Committee on Economics of Law Practice

Education

• Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon, 1972
  J.D.
• University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 1969
  B.A.

Fraternities/Sororities

• Delta Theta Phi

Published Works

• Domestic Relations Agreements, Oregon State Bar Fee Compendium, 2007

Address

9600 Building
9600 Southwest Barnes Road,
Suite 325
Portland, OR 97225-6628

Phones

(503) 297-9600

Faxes

(503) 297-9500

Emails

Contact Us
Contact Us

Websites

http://www.dmr-law.com