John E. Gutbezahl

Attorney At Law
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John E. Gutbezahl

Founder, Attorney

I graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1987. After moving to Portland in 1990 I graduated from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College in 1993.


During law school I was a certified law student at the Metropolitan Public Defenders office and gained my first courtroom experiences, including jury trials. After graduation, I opened up my practice, and through association with and referrals from other attorneys my practice began to thrive.


In December 1995 I was hired by a firm in St. Helens, Oregon representing individuals charged with crimes by the government and tried many cases. After a brief stint with a firm in Beaverton, I was hired by the Columbia County District Attorney's office in April 1997.


Over my 8+ years as a deputy district attorney I tried cases ranging from DUII all the way to capital murder. I tried over 100 felony trials murder, including capital murder, attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder, and many sexual assault, burglary, felony assault, firearm, meth lab, theft, and stolen vehicles. I worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney in 2005-2006 in Cowlitz County Washington for the last year specializing in sexual and violent crimes. I have also written appeals in both states.

I am specializing in criminal defense in Oregon and Washington. I can handle all levels of offenses as well as appeals and post conviction relief.


I handle expungements of convictions or having convictions set aside.


I am a former prosecutor in Oregon and Washington. Prior to being a prosecutor, I was in private practice and over 13 years of practice I have tried over 100 cases, ranging from misdemeanors, including domestic violence and DUII all the way to capital murder. I was in charge of drug prosecutions and sex offense prosecution in Columbia County. In Cowlitz County, Washington, I handled felony property and person crimes. I also have appellate experience in both states and am also admitted to the federal district of Oregon.


In the two years since going into private practice I have obtained acquittals in Attempted Murder, Assault on a Public Safety Officer, and Assault cases. I have obtained dismissals after successfully having evidence suppressed in drug cases. I have pressured the state to dismiss in other domestic violence cases and assault cases. Furthermore, I have successfully negotiated complex cases to ensure a just result for my clients.


My office is located in prestigious Lake Oswego and I am admitted to practice in the states of Oregon, Washington and New York as well as the federal District for Oregon.

Areas of practice

  • Criminal Defense

Admitted to practice

  • Oregon, 1994
  • Washington, 2016
  • New York, 1995

Education

  • Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College
  • JD - Juris Doctor, 1993
  • State University of New York, Stony Brook
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts, 1990

Professional memberships

  • 1994: Oregon State Bar
  • 1994: Federal District of Oregon
  • 1995: New York State Supreme Court
  • 2006: Washington State Bar
  • Multnomah County Bar Association
  • Clackamas County Bar Association
  • Columbia County Bar Association
  • Cowlitz County Bar Association
  • Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Association of Federal Defense Attorneys and Capital Defenders
  • United States District Court Western District of Washington
  • United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York
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