Michael
Michael Dwyer has been recognized as by peers and clients as a top family mediator.
Michael’s peers and colleagues named him to the list of Best Lawyers of America for Family Law Mediation for 15 consecutive years. Three times he has been named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers of America. He have named an Oregon Super Lawyer for 17 consecutive years.
Michael has taught at Pepperdine Law School, Willamette Law School, and Maitripa College. He also has frequently teaches mediation and communication skills to mediators, lawyer and law students.
Before devoting his career to family mediation, Michael had a long, distinguished career as a trial lawyer, enjoying AV-Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest lawyer rating given to a lawyer for skill and ethics.
Michael served as the 2008-09 President of the Multnomah Bar Association.
Michael attended Notre Dame and graduated magna cum laude from UCLA in 1974. He obtained his law degree in 1977 from Loyola of Los Angeles Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review.
Distinctions
- Lawyer of the Year for Family Law Mediation by Best Lawyers of America 2019-2017-2015
- Selected by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Mediation, 2009-2024
- Distinguished as an Oregon Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers, 2007-2023
- Highest Rating for Law and Ethics by Martindale Hubbell (AV-Preeminent)
- Ranked Tier 1 Law Firm in Portland Metro Area by Best Lawyers in America
Personal
Michael and Jane Bell met and married in Hawaii and moved to Portland 26 years ago. They have two adult daughters who are deeply involved with the arts. Michael likes to dabble in art (especially drawing), play Christmas songs on the piano for friends and family, swing golf clubs in good weather, hike amidst wildflowers at Mt. Ranier, attend Shakespeare plays in Ashland, and listen to all sorts of music. There are too many, and not enough, books on his shelves. He meditates for sanity. He comes from a sports-crazy family, which included his father who was a defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams. Michael played four sports in high school and college football for one year.
Michael can help mediate any conflict.