Practice Areas
Business
Estate and Trust Administration/Dispute Resolution
Estate and Wealth Preservation Planning
Professional Experience
Michael Levelle is an attorney with Sussman Shank LLP and chair of the firm's Estate and Trust Administration/Dispute Resolution Group. Michael has more than 20 years experience in private practice, concentrating on complex estate planning, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorships, as well as dispute resolution. As an attorney, Michael sees his role not only as a legal advisor, but as an active listener so that he can help his clients determine solutions based on their own objectives and values. Michael's practice emphasizes:
- Business
- Estate and Trust Administration/Dispute Resolution
- Estate and Wealth Preservation Planning
- Fiduciary Law
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Mediation (Multnomah County Circuit Court Approved Civil/Probate Mediator)
- Special Needs Planning/Administration
Professional Organizations
American Bar Association
Dispute Resolution ADR and the Family Function Section
Estate Planning Council of Portland, Inc.
Multnomah and Washington County Bar Associations (Oregon)
MBA Equality Committee, 2004-2007
Multnomah County Court Mediation Program, 2004-Present
Multnomah County Probate Advisory Committee
Oregon State Bar
Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
Elder Law Section - Executive Committee, 2012
Estate Planning and Administration Section
Legal Ethics Committee, 2012
Oregon Mediation Association
Oregon Uniform Trust Code Study Committee - Member (2005)
Washington State Bar Association
Dispute Resolution Section
Elder Law Section
Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
Education
B.A., Social Work, University of Montana
Graduated with honors
J.D., Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law Center for Dispute Resolution Certificate -1990
Civic Organizations
Itafari Foundation (Pro Bono Legal Service)
Oregon State Board of Clinical Social Workers - Board Member (1997-2001)
Oregon Symphony Board of Directors - Board/Executive Committee Member (1999-2003)
Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) - Board of Directors (2011)
St. Matthew Lutheran Church Foundation - Board Member (2006-2011), President (2011)
Sunrise Toastmasters Club #1492
Urban League of Portland
Willamette University College of Law Board of Visitors - Board Member (1994-2002)
Publications
Sussman Shank LLP Newsletter, Editor (2007-2010)
"Representing Clients Under Diminished Capacity and Disability,"
The Ethical Oregon Lawyer, Chapter 18 (2006 and 2003 Revisions)
"An Overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution," OSB Elder Law Newsletter (April 2004)
"Substituted Decision-Making: How Do You Respond to Declining Capacity?" OSB Elder Law Book, Chapter 2, Co-Author (2003 and 2000 Revisions)
"Income, Gift and Estate Tax Planning in the Medicare/Medicaid Context," Half Moon LLC Continuing Legal Education, Co-Author/Speaker (August 2000)
Elder Law Newsletter, Oregon State Bar Elder Law Section, Editor (1997-2000)
"Working with Varying Levels of Competency," Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education (July 1996)
"Minimum Capacity to Consent or Act: What's the Standard?" Oregon Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter (July 1995)
"Planning for Security and Peace of Mind," Oregon Education Association (March 1994)
Admitted to Practice
Oregon State Bar
U.S. District Court, Oregon
Washington State Bar
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Articles
News
Past Speaking Engagements
Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security Update, Ethics: National Business Institute (2012)
Charitable Giving and a Donor's Legal Capacity: The Oregon Community Foundation (2010)
Charitable Giving and a Donor's Legal Capacity Professional Advisor Philanthropy Forums : The Oregon Community Foundation (2008)
Assessing and Maximizing Decision-Making Capacity: Oregon State Bar (2006)Working with Clients with Diminished Capacity Under the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct: Oregon State Bar (2006)
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Protective Proceedings, Guardianships and Conservationships: Oregon Law Institute (2005)
Trust Administration and Litigation: Lorman Educational Services (2005)
Non-Probate Transfer Procedures: Washington State Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education (2002)
Representing Clients Under Diminished Capacity and Disability: Oregon Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (2003)
