Tankersley & Wright, LLC, began life in 1971 when Bill Rutherford and Jules Drabkin founded Rutherford & Drabkin. In 1980, the firm became Drabkin & Tankersley when Tom Tankersley became a partner after working as an associate with Jules for a number of years. Although the name has changed several times since then, the firm has a long, committed history in the community, with very long-serving staff and attorneys. The firm has been located in the same building since April 1, 1990, when they (attorneys, staff, friends, and kids) moved the offices across the street from what is now a county building. Jules raised his family in McMinnville and practiced law here for 35 years, earning the respect and admiration of clients, lawyers and Judges. Jules retired in 2006. Tom also raised his family here and practiced with the firm since 1976, becoming "of counsel" in 2014, and retiring in 2018. He is an outstanding community leader and highly respected lawyer. Catherine Wright has lived in Yamhill County since the mid-1990’s, joining the firm in 2000 and becoming a partner in 2006. She is a strong community supporter and has developed a well-respected practice. Our current support staff have all been long-term employees with our firm.

Estate Planning

  • Wills
  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Advance Directives
  • Special Needs Trusts
  • Estate Tax Planning(Federal and Oregon)
  • Retirement account trusts

Guardianships & Conservatorships

  • Minor children
  • Incapacitated adults
  • Professional fiduciaries

Probates

  • Small estate proceedings
  • Full probates
  • Trust Administration
  • Estate tax returns (Federal and Oregon)

Elder Law

  • Medicaid eligibility
  • Income Cap Trusts
  • Guardianships and Conservatorships
  • Long Term Care issues

Land Use

  • City or County
  • Planning approvals
  • Dwelling permits
  • Legal lots
  • Partitions
  • Lot Line Adjustments
  • Zone changes

Real Estate

  • Sale or purchase
  • Easements
  • Trust deeds
  • Title issues

Business

  • Family business planning
  • Limited Liability Companies

Catherine Wright has been with the firm since 2000.  She was born in the U.S. to an English mother and Scottish father and was raised in England, obtaining her undergraduate law degree with honors from Anglia Polytechnic University in Chelmsford, UK. She moved to Oregon in 1994 and later graduated from Willamette University Law School with her JD.  Catherine enjoys helping people find solutions to challenging situations, working with her clients to plan for the future and solve the problems of the present. She has served on numerous County-level professional responsibility committees, was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children and served on the board of directors for Yamhill County CASA. She has also volunteered at Homeward Bound Pets, on the shelter's dog team. She lives in McMinnville and enjoys camping, trail riding, traveling, cooking and competing in Dressage with her horses and judging and competing in Barn Hunt with her dog.

Julie Anderson originally joined the firm in 1997 as a legal assistant. For ten years she worked primarily on probates and estate planning. After working elsewhere for a few years, Julie returned to the firm in 2012 and currently assists all the attorneys in estate planning, guardianships, conservatorships and land use matters. Julie is a single parent to a teenage daughter, experiencing the joys and challenges that brings. Julie enjoys watching her daughter play soccer, traveling and scrap booking in her spare time.

Jennifer Jo Berry joined the firm in May of 2009 as bookkeeper and administrative assistant. Her education includes studies in writing, art and psychology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Arizona State and Chemeketa. Jennifer writes free verse poetry and has had various poems published in both Alaska and Oregon. She is a dedicated early morning lap swimmer and in her spare time she enjoys riding ATVs with her husband and friends.

office

Address:

701 NE Evans St
Mcminnville, OR 97128

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 625
McMinnville, OR 97128

Phone Number:

503-472-0344

Fax Number:

503-472-7629

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