Theressa Hollis

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Summary

I’m a partner with Fitzwater Law and have practiced with this firm for 19 years. My practice emphasizes legal issues unique to the elderly and their families, including guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, probate estates, trust administration, and estate planning. Some of my favorite cases are the emergency (“temporary”) guardianships and conservatorships. I received my J.D. from Willamette University College of Law in 1998.

I value helping people in times of crisis by making the legal system understandable. I pride myself on being reliable and thorough in my work, while striving to take the mystery out of the legal process.

Elder law and estate planning is a perfect fit for me. Since my time as a psychology major at Linfield College I have enjoyed helping people in need. I am a frequent volunteer at the Legal Aid Service’s Senior Law Project providing pro bono legal help to seniors. I also enjoy teaching other attorneys to practice elder law. I am a faculty speaker for the Oregon Law Institute and the Multnomah Bar Association on the issues of probate administration and guardianships. I am currently the Treasurer of the Executive Committee for the Elder Law Section of the Oregon State Bar.

I enjoy applying my knowledge and skills to assist my community. I am the second-term President and founding board member of Guardian Partners, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating abuse and neglect for our elderly and disabled populations. I was a Co-Editor of the Oregon State Bar’s Elder Law Handbook (2017). Also in 2017, I was awarded the Oregon State Bar President’s Public Service Award for my volunteer service. I am a member of the following organizations: Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS), Clackamas County Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Team, Guardian/Conservator Association of Oregon, and Oregon Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS).

Education

Willamette University College of Law: J.D. (1998) | Law; 1996 - 1998

Linfield College: B.A. (1992) | Psychology & Spanish; 1988 - 1992

Professional Experience

Partner: Fitzwater Law; 2000 - Current

Associate Attorney: Scalf & O'Halloran; 1998 - 2000; Associate attorney in a general practice firm handling probate, guardianship and estate planning cases.

Publications

Articles & Publications

Elder Law Handbook: Oregon State Bar; April 27, 2017

Speaking Engagements

Health Ed 2019, Portland, Oregon: May 31, 2019; PESI, Inc.; Fitzwater Law attorneys value giving back to Oregon’s social work community. On Friday, May 31 attorneys Wes Fitzwater, Chris Ray and Theressa Hollis will present at Oregon Elderlaw 2019. This all-day Health Ed presentation put on by PESI, Inc. (Professional Education Systems Institute) benefits social workers, nurses, case managers, psychologists and other professionals working with, caring for & advising the elderly & their families. Topics covered will include planning for health and financial decisions, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Medicare, recent updates on Medicaid eligibility, understanding guardianship and conservatorship, and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Awards

President's Public Service Award: Oregon State Bar Association; 2017; Public Service Award Criteria: The nominee must have volunteered for the activity involved; must be an active or emeritus member of the Oregon State Bar; and must have made significant contributions to the public through recent efforts in one or more of the following areas: pro bono legal service to individuals or groups, law-related public education, coordination of public service law-related events (such as those associated with Law Day), service with community boards or organizations, or similar activities which benefit the public.

Professional Associations

Oregon State Bar Association # 982626: Member; Current

Oregon State Bar Elder Law Section: President-Elect; Current

Guardian Partners: Board President; Current

Guardian/Conservator Association of Oregon: Member; Current

Oregon Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardian Stakeholders (WINGS): Member; Current

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Oregon: Oregon State Bar; ID Number: 982626
Since 1998

Fees

Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
We generally bill hourly but some estate planning is handled on a flat fee basis. Please contact me for more information.

Practice Areas