Atty. C.J. Graves

Atty. C.J. Graves

Graves & Swanson LLC partner Christopher “C.J.” Graves invests himself in each and every case he handles, and has a passion for helping his clients resolve their legal matters and move forward with their lives. He has spent his career as a litigator and a trial attorney, and is more comfortable in a court room than in an office.

Portland Portland 13 yrs experience 13 year
Call (971) 274-5372 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About C.J. Graves at a glance

C.J. Graves is a Partner based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Graves & Swanson LLC. They have 13+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2013. Their practice focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, child support, and dv defense. Admitted to practice in Oregon (2013). Educated at Lewis & Clark Law School (J.D., 2013) and University of Portland (B.A. English, 2010). Serands clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Graves & Swanson LLC partner Christopher “C.J.” Graves invests himself in each and every case he handles, and has a passion for helping his clients resolve their legal matters and move forward with their lives
  • He has spent his career as a litigator and a trial attorney, and is more comfortable in a court room than in an office
  • C.J. has served as first chair in numerous trials, including high-conflict cases relating to dissolution, domestic violence, parenting time, custody, and division of property
  • He has handled legal issues involving jurisdictional challenges, high asset divorces, tax implications, and complex matters involving marital estate finance, including but not limited to the separation of businesses, retirement accounts, pensions, and spousal support
  • In addition, C.J. has represented survivors of sex abuse in lawsuits, plaintiffs who have suffered serious injuries, and families of those who have suffered wrongful death
  • Although C.J. is proficient in the courtroom, he always seeks to resolve cases in the manner most expedient and beneficial to his client's interests
  • C.J. carefully listens to each of his client's concerns and desires, and tailors the outcomes to suit the client's individualized needs
  • As a result, C.J. has had remarkable success settling cases for clients, and crafting equitable remedies fit for the specific client
  • Prior to law school, C.J. conducted research on juror decision-making, and gave a presentation on the topic at a conference for academic psychologists
  • He also worked as a jury consultant and psychological analyst on several tort cases
  • At least two of these cases resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts
  • AWARDS & RECOGNITION • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2021-2023 • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Personal Injury, Best Lawyers, 2021-2023 • Rising Stars, SuperLawyers, 2018-2023 • 10 Best Family Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction in Oregon, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2017 • Honorable Darleen Ortega Outstanding Mentor Award, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2015 • Cornelius Honors Society, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2013 • Outstanding Service Award, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2012 • Selected to Mock Trial Regional Team, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2012 • Honors Brief Moot Court, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2011 PANELS & PRESENTATIONS • Handling Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice, Oregon Family Law Practice for Paralegals, 2020 • Empowering Clients to Navigate Difficult Circumstances, Solo and Small Firm Executive Committee Retreat, 2019 • Case Studies in Holistic Representation, Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Section CLE, 2019 • Navigating Employment & Compensation Issues in Domestic Relations Cases, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, 2016 • Planning to Practice: Business Planning for Law Firms, Entrepreneur Academy CLE, 2016 • Impact of Similarity Between Witnesses and Jurors on Juror Decision-Making, Western Psychological Association Regional Professional Conference, 2010 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT • SetTheExpectation, Board of Directors, 2018 - present • Oregon State Bar, Solo and Small Firm Executive Committee, 2019 - present • Lewis & Clark Law School Recent Graduate Counsel, President, 2017 - 2019 • Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Division, Member Services and Satisfaction Subcommittee • Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Membership Committee

Practice Areas Explained

C.J. Graves's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases C.J. Graves handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Divorce

A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.

C.J. Graves is one of 50,487 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Oregon →

Child Custody & Visitation

C.J. Graves is one of 31,241 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Oregon →

Family Law

Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.

C.J. Graves is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Oregon →

Child Support

C.J. Graves is one of 24,688 child support attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child support attorneys in Oregon →

Domestic Violence Defense

C.J. Graves is one of 12,315 dv defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dv defense attorneys in Oregon →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Oregon

Practicing law in Oregon. Legal matters in Oregon are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Oregon state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Oregon brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Oregon courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about C.J. Graves

Where is C.J. Graves's law office located?
C.J. Graves's law practice is located in Portland, Oregon. The firm is Graves & Swanson LLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does C.J. Graves handle?
C.J. Graves focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, child support, dv defense. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Oregon.
How long has C.J. Graves practiced law?
C.J. Graves has 13+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2013.
Where did C.J. Graves go to law school?
C.J. Graves earned their education at (J.D., 2013); (B.A. English, 2010).
How can I contact C.J. Graves for a consultation?
You can contact C.J. Graves directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

J.D.
Lewis & Clark Law School
- 2013
B.A. English
University of Portland
- 2010

Bar Admissions

Oregon
Admitted: 2013

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