Law Practice

Deanna is an experienced attorney providing advice and counsel to clients in the areas of: estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration (including tax compliance), guardianship and conservatorship matters, entity formation, governance and general business planning, as well as associated commercial and residential real estate transactions. Her clients range from individuals with modest to high-net worth estates, corporations to family-owned businesses, as well as fiduciaries and beneficiaries.

Creative problem solving is one of the most rewarding parts of Deanna’s practice. She collaborates with clients and their advisors to implement solutions tailored to address their specific unique goals and needs. Deanna enjoys getting to know her clients and takes immense pride in being able to assist them through the various stages of their personal and/or business lives. Deanna’s compassionate and detailed approach to the practice of law brings her clients piece of mind in what may be emotional and stressful events.

Having worked at the Marion County District Attorney’s Office and in a general practice firm prior to joining Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP, Deanna has a broad ranging background in a number of practice areas in addition to her current practice, including family law and general litigation.

Representative Work

  • Establish protective proceedings (guardianship/conservatorship) for  minors and adults
  • Plan and implement combined business succession and estate plan for multi-million dollar closely-held family business
  • Sale of aftermarket autopart business franchise
  • Purchase of custom design printing business

Education & Bar Admissions

Deanna received her bachelor of science degree, with honors, in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Portland State University in 1997. While at Portland State, Deanna was Vice-President of Phi Sigma Upsilon, Portland State’s Chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Deanna attended Willamette University College of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate degree in 2000. While attending law school, Deanna was a member of the Willamette Law Review and worked as a law clerk for the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

Deanna is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the Oregon State Courts, and the Washington State Courts.

Professional

  • Washington County Circuit Court, Pro Tempore Judge 
  • Estate Planning Council of Portland, Member
  • Estate Planning, Elder Law, Tax and Business Law sections, Oregon State Bar, Member
  • Real Property, Probate and Trust and Tax sections, Washington State Bar Association, Member
  • Multnomah Bar Association, Member
  • Oregon State Bar Disciplinary Board, Region 7, Past-Member
  • Oregon State Bar Client Security Fund, Past-Member
  • Oregon State Bar Legal Ethics Committee, Past-Member
  • Oregon State Bar’s House of Delegates, Region 7, Past-Delegate

Civic

  • Portland Youth Philharmonic Association, Board of Director
  • Multnomah County “Bail-Out List” for Probate/Protective Proceedings, Volunteer
  • Oregon Law Commission Probate Modernization Work Group, Interested Person

Personal

Deanna is the proud mom of two daughters, Kailie and Samantha. In her free time, Deanna enjoys spending time with her family and participating in the sports of alpine skiing, golf, running and biking.

 

Publications

Co-author, “Brawl in the Family – Reducing Family Disputes After the Death of a Parent”, OSCPA Magazine (Winter 2020)

Co-author, “I Know the Trust Says “Irrevocable,” But “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, The Accountant (October/November 2016)

Co-author, The “Bare Bones” of Distributions Under Oregon Probate Law and Federal Income Tax Law, The Accountant (November/December 2012)

Presentations

“Brawl in the Family – Reducing Family Disputes After the Death of a Parent”
January 7th, 2021

“The Six Deadly Sins of Business Succession”
September 2015 – Deanna was a guest lecturer at the Clackamas Business Expo

“Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: Using Self-Directed Retirement Plans to Start a Business or Buy Real Estate”
February 2004 – Deanna co-presented at the Buckley Law Lunch

 

Awards

The Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates (2024, 2025)

Client Comments

“I would also like to take a moment to say THANK YOU! I appreciate everything you both have done to make sure I had all details worked out. It makes me feel so much more comfortable knowing I had the guidance of two of the best attorneys anywhere!”

“Thank you for everything you have done. This was a difficult situation and you were incredible at helping us navigate the best methods and ways to handle this. If there is ever anything we need in the future you will certainly be the person we come to. Again, thank you for everything you did. Without your guidance and expertise we would not have been able to get this resolved in such a timely and respectful fashion.”