Portland, OR family law attorney Shawn Menashe talks about his mentors in the practice and shares his most common piece of advice to clients. He credits much of his professional development to the guidance of mentors within the firm, including Ron Gatz, Eric Larson, and his father, Albert Menashe. Each imparted valuable lessons, but the advice from his father has remained most influential. Early in his career, when asked what a lawyer’s job was, he initially answered, “to win cases.” His father corrected him with a simple but powerful principle: the role of a lawyer is to create a happy client.

His father explained that achieving this goal rests on three basic pillars: providing an exceptional client experience, striving for strong outcomes, and delivering services at a reasonable cost. While outcomes are sometimes beyond a lawyer’s control, he was reminded that service and client experience are always within reach. For that reason, the firm has consistently held itself to a high standard of service, ensuring that clients are educated, informed, and guided through the process with as little uncertainty as possible.

He consistently advises clients that, given the emotional weight and personal nature of family law, it is not only the result that matters but also the way the process is handled. He emphasizes the importance of approaching difficult situations with integrity and grace, reminding clients that they should be able to look back with pride on how they navigated the challenges, not simply on the outcome achieved. This guidance is particularly important when children are involved, as parents will continue to share milestones such as graduations and sporting events. His philosophy centers on helping clients reach resolutions in a manner that preserves dignity and integrity, ensuring long-term peace of mind alongside legal resolution.