Background

A native Oregonian, Jeannette was educated at the University of Oregon (BA-Honors College) and the University of Oregon School of Law (JD). Jeannette has over thirty years of legal experience.

As an Assistant City Attorney in Salem from the mid-1970’s to the mid-80’s, Jeannette’s assignments ranged from prosecuting in municipal court, to negotiating labor agreements, to assisting in the City’s interpretation and implementation of the then-new, innovative statewide land use goals.

From 1985 through 1994, Jeannette was fortunate to participate in Portland’s energetic urban redevelopment as the in-house legal counsel for the Portland Development Commission. The Portland Development Commission is the economic development and urban renewal agency of the City of Portland. The Commission’s work has literally changed the face of Portland since 1959. During her tenure, she drafted several urban renewal plans and amendments to plans, introducing parts of the City to the opportunities of tax increment financing outside the downtown core area. These areas included the Central Eastside Industrial District, the Airport Way District and the Oregon Convention Center District. Jeannette negotiated and drafted major redevelopment agreements for projects such as the Pioneer Place Shopping Center, Riverplace mixed use development, rental housing projects on the South Park Blocks and the PGT Headquarters Building on the Willamette River waterfront.

Between 1995 and 1998, Jeannette practiced in two prestigious Portland law firms: Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt and Stoel Rives, LLP. These experiences expanded Jeannette’s knowledge of land use matters and development practices, representing public agencies but focusing more directly on private developer projects. She continued her work for PDC as outside expert counsel, negotiating the Hoyt Street Properties Development Agreement, which was the cornerstone of the development of the now thriving Pearl District in Portland. By 1998, Jeannette realized that a specialized practice returning to municipal and urban renewal law, and public/private development transactions was a good fit for her problem-solving, deal-making skills.

Since 1998, Jeannette has represented multiple public entities, in varying capacities. She served the City of Depoe Bay as City Attorney for three years. She is currently Agency Counsel for the Talent Urban Renewal Agency and the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency. Her other public clients represent the wide geography of the State, ranging from Bandon, Lincoln City and Tillamook on the Coast, to Portland, Hillsboro, Troutdale, Gresham and Wilsonville in the Metro region of Portland, to Lebanon and Albany in the Willamette Valley, to Bend and Sisters in Central Oregon and Pendleton and LaGrande in Eastern Oregon. The diversity of issues and interests represented by these clients emphasizes Jeannette’s expertise and flexibility.

Jeannette has also represented private clients working with the public sector to realize private development objectives while achieving public goals for curing blighted conditions and creating jobs.

Jeannette invites you to visit the Project pages of this website to learn more.