Brown Wilkins is a boutique two-partner firm, focused on Family Law and Business Law, with more than 35 years of combined experience in Central and Eastern Oregon.
Adaptability As legal professionals, we often encounter unpredictable situations. We are skilled at adapting to changing circumstances, managing emergencies, and making quick decisions and pivoting positions when necessary.
Continuous learning The law is an ever evolving and changing field, and lawyers are committed to lifelong learning. We stay updated with the latest research, litigation, case law, legislative updates, best legal practices, allowing us to provide the best possible representation to our clients.
Our guiding purpose and mission
Brown Wilkins provides exceptional legal service with unparalleled client relations in the greater Central and Eastern Oregon community. We take pride in our diversification and competence across a wide range of legal practice areas, and our skills and experience allow us to approach problem-solving from various perspectives so that we can collaborate with our clients to form an optimum strategy and achieve the best results for them. We don’t just get to know you and your case because it is our profession; we do so because we intrinsically value solving problems, establishing lasting relationships, while helping to successfully achieve a resolution.
We undergo years of education and training to gain in-depth knowledge of the law, legal issues, advocacy skills, client communication, and problem-solving. This knowledge allows us to work collaboratively with you and our team, providing the best possible course of action.
Legal expertise We possess the ability to apply our legal knowledge in real-life scenarios for our clients. We interpret, assess benefits, liabilities, and make recommendations based on our legal expertise.
Problem-solving skills As lawyers, we are skilled problem solvers. We analyze complex legal situations, consider multiple factors, evaluate risks, and develop appropriate courses of action. Our ability to think critically and make informed decisions is crucial in providing effective legal representation.
Communication skills We possess a unique combination of directness, rationalism, empathy, and compassion. We understand the emotional and legal challenges that our clients face and provide support and comfort throughout the legal process and our representation.
David G. Brown
David’s areas of practice reflect his diverse interests. He has both technical knowledge of macro and micro legal issues, and the ability to distill legal matters into digestible concepts. His practice includes general litigation and business and corporate issues, such as entity formation, corporate affairs, agreements for the sale and purchase of closely held businesses, commercial leases, business disputes, and real property transactions. As well as all aspects of family law, including divorce and separation, custody and parenting time, prenuptial agreements, right to move cases, adoptions, third-party rights and enforcement actions. David also has an appellate practice, handling appeals at the Oregon Court of Appeals and has extensive experience in all aspects of trial practice, including business litigation, real property litigation, family law, contempt, debt collection and enforcement of judgments.
Education & Certifications
Duke University, B.A., cum laude, joint degree in History and Classical Studies, 1995; University of Oregon, J.D., 2002; Member: Oregon State Bar (Indian Law Executive Committee 2003-05); Author: Amended and Supplemental Pleadings, Oregon Civil Pleading and Practice CLE, 2004; Member Oregon State Bar since 2002; U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
Practice Areas
Family Law and Domestic Relations
Civil, Business and Commercial Litigation
Business, Commercial Transactions and Corporate Law
Real Estate Transactions
Alternate Dispute Resolution/ Arbitration and Mediation
Brent N. Wilkins
Brent has been practicing law in Central Oregon for more than a decade. He enjoys working with clients to help them achieve their goals in a thoughtful and timely manner. He values listening to clients’ critical input and making sure their objectives are always front and center. Brent builds and maintains these strong client relationships to help clients realize opportunities and navigate challenges during the many phases and turns cases take.
Brent’s broad background in numerous areas of law helps him understand the complex issues that can arise in family law cases. Moreover, he has experience in high-asset cases and contentious cases. From assessing complex factual and legal issues to talking with opposing counsel and experts to advocating in the courtroom, settlement talks, and mediation, Brent’s commitment and focus allow him to effectively represent clients every step of the way.
Brent also believes in giving back to the community and has a track record of public service, including serving 7 years on the Board of Directors NeighborImpact. He now serves on the companion CAFCO Board of Directors. Brent’s diverse experience includes:
Property Division Successfully tried a high-asset case by beating not only the other party’s settlement offer by over $1,000,000 at trial but also his client’s settlement offer by over $400,000.
Went to trial over a disputed family farm and successfully excluded from the property division the client’s entire interest in the family farm with a value of over $1,900,000.
Tried case involving disputed valuation date and successfully set valuation date at time of separation and excluded post-separation growth from the property division.
Defeated attempted enforcement of alleged premarital agreement by securing meaningful money awards for client when other side sought to leave client with virtually nothing.
Tried case involving disputed pension and successfully included entire pension value in the property division when only a handful of earning years occurred during the marriage.
Guided multiple clients through the business valuation process, including utilizing a business valuation to help settle a case on the courthouse steps when the non-business owner spouse realized they were overreaching.
Spousal Support Defeated spousal support claim at trial when client had income of over $11,000 per month and more than $6,000.00 per month more than the other party’s income.
Won spousal support award for 5 years during an 8-year marriage averaging $3,000 per month over the 5-year period.
Helped negotiate indefinite spousal support award of over $10,000 per month plus a percentage of total income above a certain threshold in addition to the monthly fixed amount.
Tried spousal support dispute with adverse party receiving 5-year spousal support award when they requested over 10 years at trial.
Defeated adverse’s request for indefinite spousal support with award limited to just over 2 years at under $1,000 per month while preserving client’s retirement account balance at over $1,000,000 and obtaining investment funds to enable client to purchase residence post-dissolution.
Enforcement Tried ORS 107.452 omitted asset case and won all claims for relief, including client being awarded half the value of the omitted assets and awarded attorney fees for roughly equally the value of the omitted assets.
Held adverse party in contempt of court and enforced parenting plan with client awarded over 100 days of make-up parenting time plus attorney fees.
Held adverse in contempt of court for refusing to pay spousal support and secured payment of not only lump sum spousal support award but also financial sanction and attorney fees with total amounts paid to client exceeding $140,000.
Move Cases Successfully tried move case with move from Central Oregon to Seattle area.
Blocked proposed move case with assistance of custody and parenting time evaluation with proposed move to New England foregone after evaluation recommended that the move not occur.
Helped reach negotiated settlement with adverse moving to Hawaii with less time than provided for under the Deschutes County Standard Long Distance Parenting Plan.
Parenting Time Assisted client at trial in reducing parenting time with adverse party to basic parenting plan in case involving FAPA, contempt of court proceedings, and immediate dangers.
Helped client secure settlement on morning of trial involving significant safety considerations with adverse party’s time with the child subject to safety parenting plan.
Represented children in high conflict cases, including in a four-day trial.
Custody Helped resolve numerous cases pursuant to “defined” custody terms so parents can have certainty and limit disputes going forward.
Settled numerous cases with clients receiving custody and residential parent designation.
Recognitions
2017 to 2026 Oregon Rising Stars (Family Law)
Education
University of Oregon School of Law, J.D. Order of the Coif – 2011;
Baylor University B.A. Magna Cum Laude – 2007
Professional Activities
Deschutes County Bar Association – Member – (2015 to Present)
J.R. Campbell American Inn of Court – Member – (2015 to Present)
