Learn More About The Law Office of Andrew M. Kohlmetz LLC

I worked as a sole practitioner and as an associate for two small criminal defense firms in the Columbia Gorge and Portland areas. My practice focused on defending folks charged with serious felonies. In 2003, I was admitted to the federal bar. That same year, I became a founding member and managing partner of a four-lawyer criminal defense firm in Portland. After 2005, my practice shifted primarily to defending people charged with serious and / or complex criminal cases in federal court.

After 13 years of managing a small firm, in January of 2018, I formed the Law Office of Andrew M. Kohlmetz LLC. Over the years, I found that managing a busy office was taking time away from what I really loved, the practice of law. My solo practice allows me more time to devote to each one of my clients, ensuring that they get my undivided attention and the best legal representation I can possibly provide.

I have been practicing criminal defense in Oregon for over 20 years. In that time, I have learned that the foundation of any successful case is the relationship a client has with their lawyer. To best serve each of my clients, I strictly limit the number of cases I accept. I also focus my practice on the defense of serious and complex cases. This approach allows me to maximize the effectiveness of my advocacy for each client I serve.

Give me a call or drop me an email. I never charge for an initial discussion. It is important that you and I talk freely about you and your case before we can make a decision about whether or not I am a good fit for you or your case. I am always happy to make an appropriate referral if we feel another lawyer would be ideal for your situation.

In order for this to be accomplished, the lawyer and the client must spend a great deal of time together. Criminal cases do not arise out of a vacuum, but rather occur within the broader context of the client's life. The criminal case is often a small part in the much larger life-story of the client. The system works to strip the criminal case of its broader, more personal context, and history. The defense lawyer's task is to make sure the client's story is told, that the rich uniqueness of the client is not lost in the system's mechanical processing of cases.

In order to best represent my clients, I actively limit the number of clients I have at any given time. That is because the cases I usually accept are complex felony matters, where the stakes to the client are extreme. In these types of cases, all of my clients deserve the most attentive and diligent representation I can provide. By actively limiting my caseload, I can spend the time necessary with each client to develop those unique facets of the client or the case that will transform their case from the ordinary to the extraordinary. My clients are never just files on the prosecutor's or the judge's desk.