Amy Velázquez

I first began to explore a career in the legal field during college. I sought out positions that would provide me with a background and experience in the law. I enjoyed volunteering as a victim advocate through the Lane County District Attorney’s Office in Eugene at the Child Advocacy Center. I then clerked for a Personal Injury and Workers Compensation law firm in Portland serving primarily Spanish-speaking clients. Appreciating the opportunity to serve those in need, I focused on family, criminal and immigration while pursuing my law degree. During law school, I was a law clerk at the Oregon Department of Justice in their Family Law Section and also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Michael H. Bennett for the U.S. Department of Justice at the Portland Immigration Court. Prior to joining Harris Velázquez Gibbens in 2005, I was employed by the Oregon Judicial Department as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Cynthia D. Carlson at the Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene. I became a partner and shareholder with the firm in 2010 and am now the managing partner of our Family Law team. I am comfortable in the courtroom and effectively argue cases to both judges and juries. I manage criminal cases ranging from minor misdemeanors to major felonies. I frequently handle cases with overlapping family and criminal law issues such as Restraining Orders (FAPA) and Stalking Protective Orders (Civil and Criminal). I have experience litigating cases in courts throughout the greater metro area. In January 2014, I was approved by Oregon Supreme Court to serve as a pro tempore judge in the circuit court for the state of Oregon. For 10 years I served as a volunteer judge hearing contested restraining order and stalking matters for the Washington County Circuit Court and have handled judicial settlement conferences for family law matters. Seeing a need for services, in 2021, I expanded my practice to include family law mediation and parent coordination matters. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters, cooking and entertaining, event planning, and traveling to sunny climates. • Oregon Department of Justice – Family Law Section, Law Clerk (2002 – 2003);• U.S. Department of Justice – Portland Immigration Court, Judicial Intern (2003);• Oregon Judicial Department – Lane County Circuit Court, Judicial Clerk (2004 – 2005);• Harris Velázquez Gibbens (formerly Harris Law Firm) – Associate Attorney (2005 – 2010);• Harris Velázquez Gibbens – Shareholder (2010 – Present).