About Portland and Beaverton Mediator Matthew House, J.D.
The Making of a Mediator
Except for my three years of law school in Idaho, I am a lifelong Oregonian. I was born in Eugene and attended two-year-old preschool at a program at the University of Oregon. Sixteen years later, I returned to UO to begin college.
Drawn to the Law
In 2002, I decided to pursue a law degree. Seeking a career in family law seemed perfect, as a child of divorced parents and as a former teacher who has worked with hundreds of teen and pre-teen students. I attended the University of Idaho College of Law on a full tuition scholarship.
At UI, after completing the Professional Responsibility course, part of the required second-year curriculum, I realized that the duties of a zealous advocate for one party in a family law case might be more contentious than I wanted. Pivoting to mediation was more consistent with my goals and values.
At UI, after completing the Professional Responsibility course, part of the required second-year curriculum, I realized that the duties of a zealous advocate for one party in a family law case might be more contentious than I wanted. Pivoting to mediation was more consistent with my goals and values.
Full-Time Mediation Practice
I completed my law degree (J.D.) in 2005. I passed the Oregon Bar Exam the same year, on my first attempt. Because the duties of being a zealous advocate for only one party in a family law case do not appeal to me, I have focused my entire career on mediation, rather than practicing law per se. I opened my first office in Downtown Portland in 2005 and relocated my practice to Beaverton in 2007. Since 2010, my office has been located at Central Beaverton's comfortable and well-appointed BG Plaza.
Taking Time for Fun
Outside of work, I have a variety of interests. Chief among them is Major League Baseball. I often watch baseball with his clients' kids when they come to visit, and I rarely miss a Washington Nationals game.