“I have litigated commercial cases throughout the Western United States, being admitted along the way to over a dozen federal district courts. Over the past decade my practice has been split between family law and international trade law.”

9.6James D Van Ness

Jim Van Ness provides legal representation in all areas of family law.

He specializes in custody cases, with a focus on advocating the child’s best interests. He is also a Court-Approved Parenting Coordinator and Custody Evaluator. He received a post-doctoral certificate in Child and Family Forensics, which included training in: child maltreatment; juvenile delinquency; sexual offending; domestic violence; substance abuse; and divorce, custody evaluation, and parenting coordination. In addition, he has a successful business law practice focusing on business formation & litigation as well as international trade issues.

ABOUT ME

  • I was born and raised in suburban Maryland, just north of Washington D.C. As such, I had a front row seat for JFK’s Inaugural & MLK’s August 28, 1963 speech on the Mall. I truly enjoyed growing up with the rich heritage of the nation’s capital. Upon graduation from the University of Maryland I went to work in the intelligence community in what is now known as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. I spent a decade in banking, then turned towards a legal career.

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Oregon State Bar Family Law Section
  • OSB Disciplinary Committee, 2003-2009
  • United States District Court for the District of Oregon Local Rules Advisory Committee, 2003 – 2009
  • Marion County Practice & Procedures Committee
  • Marion County e-Court
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

ADMISSIONS

  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Court of International Trade

HONORS

  • Award for Distinguished Client Service, Martindale Hubbell, 2009 – 2016
  • Top 10% of Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, 2016
  • Award for Distinguished Achievement, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1998
  • Distinguished Presenter, Gravitation Effects on Doppler Mechanics, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics Symposium, 1982
  • Award of Excellence for Telemetry Support of the Shuttle Columbia Landing at White Sands Missile Range, National Reconnaissance Office, 1982
  • Certificate of Merit for Advancement of Inertial Navigation Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Division, 1980
  • Award of Excellence for Precision Support of the MX Missile Inertial Navigation System, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 1980
  • Certificate of Merit for Saving Life and Property During Hurricane Agnes, Maryland National Park & Planning Commission, 1972.

Member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts