History

The founding partners of MacLaren & Whearty established a firm that solely focused on creating estate plans for the clients using a holistic approach, incorporating both legal and tax counsel to protect their clients’ financial legacies. This was a unique idea at the time and still is today, when estate planning often meant to simply create a Will and Testament. The partners collaborated and established planning techniques using trusts to avoid lengthy probate proceedings and estate tax planning to ensure beneficiaries receive the inheritances their clients intend.

Since the beginning, MacLaren & Whearty has been a pioneer. As one of the first law firms in Oregon to practice both estate and tax planning, they have filed federal and state tax returns for clients, created trusts, and represented clients in related litigation since its inception, gaining a reputation as “specialists” for understanding the needs of wealthy individuals in diverse walks of life. Through the years, many of the Northwest’s wealthiest families have trusted MacLaren & Whearty with their multi-million dollar estates. With clients that range from local celebrities, sports figures (athletes, management and commentators) and winemakers to farmers, business leaders and law professionals, including the State of Oregon’s first federal magistrate, the firm understands diversity and the uniqueness of each clients’ business and personal needs – and continually evaluates each clients’ situation as tax laws change.

Recognizing that many clients have interests in multiple states, MacLaren & Whearty became one of the first Oregon law firms to be licensed to practice in both Oregon and Washington. As their clients’ needs stretched beyond the Northwest, the firm grew and added Arizona to its list of states of licensure. This breadth of knowledge has led to the firm’s many litigation victories, including cases in the Oregon Court of Appeals and summary judgement wins against the California Department of Revenue.

Throughout the years, it has been MacLaren & Whearty’s sole focus to provide clients with outstanding and personalized legal and tax counsel. Because creating a customized estate plan is such a personal affair, for more than 40 years it has been a tradition that every member of the firm, from legal assistants and the office manager to the managing partner, build a relationship with each client to ensure a superior experience.

Protecting legacies for generations to come – a tradition for MacLaren & Whearty.