Chris Cohen

About Chris Cohen

I’m an estate planning and business attorney based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, serving clients throughout the Portland metro area. My practice focuses on helping families and business owners protect what they’ve built, avoid preventable messes, and create clear, practical plans for incapacity and death.I’m an associate attorney at Bridgeport Law Group and am admitted to practice in Oregon and New York. I regularly work with closely held business owners, professionals, and families on trust-based estate plans, wills, incapacity documents, and business planning that fits their real lives. I focus on real planning, not just producing documents - my clients leave with a clear understanding of how their plan works, how to use it when something happens, and the confidence that they can call me any time they have a question or circumstances change.Before law, I spent more than a decade as an entrepreneur in hospitality and online education. I founded a bar and created Beer Scholar®, an online course business that thousands have used to pass the Cicerone® exams (think \"beer sommelier\"). My background makes me especially comfortable working with business owners and professionals, I understand the legal side and the day-to-day realities of running a business.Who I work with:• Oregon business owners and entrepreneurs planning for succession or eventual exit• Professionals and families who want a clear, modern estate plan• Anyone who wants to sleep better at night knowing their family and kids will be taken care of if something happens to them• Financial advisors and CPAs looking for a responsive attorney to collaborate with on client planningHighlights:• Estate planning and business law practice centered on Oregon families and closely held businesses• Experience coordinating with financial advisors and CPAs on tax-aware, practical planning• Founder of Beer Scholar®, Advanced Cicerone®, and National BJCP beer judge• Have hosted and taught hundreds of beer and sensory classes, tastings, and events, including serving as a judge in prestigious national competitionsIf you’re a financial advisor, CPA, or Oregon resident interested in estate planning, I’m happy to connect here on LinkedIn. I offer a complimentary initial estate planning consultation for prospective clients in Oregon.

Experience

1. Associate Attorney

   Bridgeport Law Group

   Aug 2024 — Present · Lake Oswego, OR, US

   I provide a concierge-level of legal service to individuals, families, and business owners, serving as a dedicated counselor to help them navigate the complexities of wealth preservation and legacy planning. Beyond just simple paperwork, I focus on education and ongoing relationship to ensure clients fully understand the architecture of their plan and, more importantly, how to utilize it effectively when the time comes.Personalized Planning & Strategic Counsel An effective estate plan is a reflection of a client’s unique values and long-term goals. My process begins with an exploration of family dynamics and objectives, ensuring every strategy is a customized fit rather than a standard template. I take as much time as necessary with my clients to arrive at the right solution, while offering the predictability of reasonable flat-fee arrangements that reflect the high value of our ongoing partnership.Personal & Family SecurityOwn real estate? Have minor children? Want to spare your family from probate court and limit potential conflict? I help clients stop \"putting it off\" by making planning easy. Make your healthcare wishes known, chose guardians and trustees for your children, and plan for incapacity. My clients frequently state they feel relief and greater peace of mind after working with me.Ongoing Advocacy & Lifecycle SupportMy commitment to my clients extends through all of life’s transitions. Whether you are launching a new business venture, navigating a real estate transaction, or managing a family crisis, I serve as a steady point of contact to ensure your plan operates effectively when needed and evolves as your circumstances change.Sophisticated Oregon Tax & Business Strategyfor high-net-worth Oregonians, I design strategies to mitigate exposure to state and federal estate taxes. My practice includes advanced planning for families and individuals with business interests and real estate-heavy portfolios.

Education

• Cardozo School of Law

  Juris Doctorate, Law, Intellectual Property

  2002 — 2005

• Florida State University

  B.S. Geography, B.A. International Relations, Economics Minor

  1996 — 2000

• Texas A&M University

  M.S., Geography

  2000 — 2002