Location: Gresham, Oregon
Phone: 503.492.4229
Fax: 503.491.4891
Email: Email me
Lillian Suelzle Watson – Owner/manager of Gresham Family & Bankruptcy Law. Lillian’s primary focus has always been to help people reach an amicable agreement involving complicated legal matters. She has practiced in various areas of law including traditional family law, estate planning, probate and consumer bankruptcy since 2001. The current focus of her practice is Collaborative Family Law and Family Mediation. Below is a brief description of how she uses these methods:
“Collaborative Family Law” is a voluntary method where both you and your spouse reach a result that is fair, equitable and long lasting. Lillian will explain this method to you in detail, but this is where she and another trained collaborative attorney will work with you to develop an agreement without going to court. This team approach allows you to fashion your divorce with the support of your own lawyer, experts (based on your needs), and the cooperation of your soon to be ex-spouse and his or her lawyer. When Lillian has the role of your collaborative attorney, she advocates for you, but cooperates with the team. While this may sound impossible or difficult, it is a well-designed legal method which permits you to both consider all of the facts and, within the scope of the law, arrive at a fair and equitable divorce while avoiding the stress of a full trial.
“Collaborative Family Law” is a voluntary method where both you and your spouse reach a result that is fair, equitable and long lasting. Lillian will explain this method to you in detail, but this is where she and another trained collaborative attorney will work with you to develop an agreement without going to court. This team approach allows you to fashion your divorce with the support of your own lawyer, experts (based on your needs), and the cooperation of your soon to be ex-spouse and his or her lawyer. When Lillian has the role of your collaborative attorney, she advocates for you, but cooperates with the team. While this may sound impossible or difficult, it is a well-designed legal method which permits you to both consider all of the facts and, within the scope of the law, arrive at a fair and equitable divorce while avoiding the stress of a full trial.
“Family Mediation” is where both you and your spouse work directly with Lillian to craft your divorce settlement agreement. When she acts as a mediator, Lillian will always remain neutral and does not represent either of you. However, with her extensive training as a family law mediator, she can guide you through the process, enabling you to arrive at a well thought out agreement. Once you have reached a settlement, you can hire her to prepare legal documents. After her first meeting with you, the process usually takes between two to four meetings to discuss your issues and reach a final settlement. The first step is to reach a settlement, then, the final step is to prepare legal documents to file with the court.
Lillian was born and raised in Gresham, Oregon, and continues to make her home here. She established Gresham Family & Bankruptcy Law in 2001 and the firm has continued to grow. Lillian is the owner/managing attorney of the firm and continues to promote a valuable service to her community through the growth of GFBL and team of attorneys and staff.
Lillian has worked in support positions in law offices, then in mortgage lending before she decided to attend law school. This life experience helps her acquire the ability to communicate with her clients and the needs of the firm. She is involved in the Gresham community and regularly volunteers in the legal community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Floyd, her grandchildren, gardening, and traveling.
Areas of Practice
Bar Admissions
- Oregon State Bar, 2001
- U.S. District Court District of Oregon, 2001
Education
- Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Portland, Oregon
- J.D. – 2000
- Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, Oregon
- B.A. – 1992
- Major: Communications
- Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon
- Associate’s degree
Honors and Awards
Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Volunteer Attorney, Multnomah County Child Representation Project
- Oregon State Bar Unlawful Practice of Law Committee, Member 2011
- Member, Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals
- Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Member, Oregon State Bar Family Law, Debtor-Creditor, and Estate Planning & Administration Sections, and Multnomah County Bar Association
Languages
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