About James
James Oberholtzer built his legal foundation in the 1970s and 1980s. He earned a degree in economics from Earlham College in 1975, followed by an LL.B. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1979. He returned to school for an LL.M. in Tax from DePaul College of Law, completed in 1985. Those credentials frame a practice that sits at the intersection of tax law and estate planning.
Over the years Oberholtzer has held admissions in multiple jurisdictions. He is authorized to practice in Oregon, Illinois, Washington and Virginia, and he maintains memberships in the corresponding state bars. His professional affiliations also include the Estate Planning Council of Oregon, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of CPAs. Those ties reflect a practice that connects legal counsel and financial analysis.
Colleagues and clients see the tax degree as a practical advantage rather than a credential to cite. It informs how he reads tax rules and how he structures estates, trusts and business arrangements. He works on trust administration, estate planning, tax compliance and tax controversy matters. He also advises on business succession and the tax implications that come with transfers of wealth. His memberships in accounting bodies signal that he often handles matters where law and accounting overlap.
Oberholtzer’s work is multi-jurisdictional by necessity. Admitted in four states, he handles matters that require familiarity with differing state tax regimes and probate systems. He maintains offices in Oregon and Chicago, which allows him to serve clients across state lines. That geographic spread also reflects the practical needs of clients who own property or run businesses in more than one state.
He takes a pragmatic approach to problem solving. He aims to clarify tax consequences, draft instruments that reflect a client’s objectives and manage the administrative side of trust and estate matters so clients can focus on other priorities. The combination of a tax graduate degree and active involvement in accounting organizations gives him tools to address complex financial issues that arise in estate planning and taxation.
He currently handles tax and estate planning matters and maintains offices in Oregon and Chicago.
