About CJ
CJ Graves took a nontraditional route into law. He studied English literature and psychology at the University of Portland, then went on to earn a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2013. Those early academic choices left him comfortable with both close reading and the human side of disputes.
After law school, Graves joined Gevurtz Menashe as an associate in 2013. The role gave him early courtroom exposure and a steady docket. Two years later he opened his own office, practicing as the Law Office of Christopher J. Graves, LLC in 2015. That step marked a move toward an independent practice and direct client work.
In 2017 Graves became a partner at Graves & Swanson LLC. The change expanded the scale of his practice and brought collaborative case work into regular view. Colleagues say the partnership allowed him to coordinate larger matters while maintaining the hands-on client contact he established as a solo practitioner.
Graves has been active in local and state legal circles almost since day one. He joined the Multnomah Bar Association in 2013 and has retained that membership. He took on a leadership role with Lewis & Clark Law School’s Recent Graduate Counsel, serving as president starting in 2015 and staying involved thereafter. He is also a member and Guardian of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association beginning in 2016. Those affiliations keep him plugged into continuing education and trial advocacy networks.
His background pairs a liberal arts undergraduate degree with a practical law school experience. That mixture shows in how he approaches files: careful preparation up front, clear lines of communication with clients, and steady courtroom readiness when needed. The record here describes steady professional progression rather than a single landmark case or award. It is a career built on practice, participation in bar groups, and firm development.
Graves practices in Oregon and has maintained ties to the legal community there throughout his career. He has worked in both small-office and partnership settings, and his practice path reflects a balance of independent practice and firm-based collaboration. Graves currently focuses his practice at Graves & Swanson LLC, representing clients in Oregon courts.
