Experienced attorneys

Attorney James A. Arneson

The founder of our firm, attorney James A. Arneson, has effectively represented clients throughout the state of Oregon on a wide range of criminal and civil issues since 1977. He is a past president of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, has served on the State Sentencing Guidelines Board, and for six years sat on the State Board of the Oregon Civil Liberties Union. He is a member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Oregon ACLU Lawyer and Legislative Committees, and the Family Law Section of the Oregon State Bar.

Areas of practice:

• 55% criminal
• 15% juvenile
• 30% family

Bar admissions:

• Oregon, 1977
• US District Court District of Oregon, 1978

Education:

Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Portland, OR

• J.D. - 1977

Moorhead State College, Moorhead, MN

• B.S. - 1968
• Major: Chemistry

Professional associations and memberships:

• Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1981 - 2009
  

Attorney Gina Marie Stewart

Gina Marie Stewart grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where she worked with adjudicated and at-risk teens as a case manager prior to going to law school in Portland, Oregon. After law school, before joining Arneson & Stewart, PC, she worked as an Americorp attorney and then as staff attorney with Legal Aid in Hillsboro and Eugene representing domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in family law matters in court. Gina Marie currently represents children and parents in the juvenile dependency through court-appointed cases. She continues to advocate for clients in family law matters including working with clients as they deal with divorce, separation, child custody, and visitation issues.

Areas of practice:

• 60% family law including divorce, custody cases, and adoption
• 30% juvenile law
• 10% criminal law
• Child support
• Grandparents rights
• Child custody
• Visitation

Education:

Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Portland, OR

• J.D. - 2002

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

• B.A. - 1999
• Major: History and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

Study Aboard at the American University, Cairo, Egypt, from January 1996 through June 1996

Professional associations and memberships:

• Oregon Women Lawyers Association, Founding Member of Joan Seitz Law Society
• Douglas County Bar Association
• Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  

Attorney Gwyndolyn Styarfyr

Gwyndolyn Styarfyr joined the bar in 2016 after graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR. She grew up in Roseburg, OR and graduated from Douglas High School. She is a member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, as well as the Criminal Law, Juvenile Law and Family Law sections of the Oregon State Bar. She joined Arneson & Stewart, PC in October 2016 to better the community that raised her.

Bar Admissions

• Oregon, 2016

Education

• Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law- Portland, Oregon

J.D. - 2016

• University of Oregon- Eugene, Oregon

B.S. - 2012

Major : Political Science

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Douglas County Bar Association
• Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Pro Bono Activities

• Volunteer with the Public Interest Law Project at Lewis and Clark Law School
  

Attorney Ross Sutherland

Ross Sutherland passed the bar in 2015 after graduating from Willamette University College of Law, located in Salem, Oregon. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University after his honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps. He believes in listening to people’s needs and finding unique solutions to their problems. Ross is an avid chess player and appreciates the strategy of battle, whether over a board or in a courtroom.

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Defense
• Juvenile Delinquency/Dependency
• Family Law

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
• Bar Admissions
• Oregon, 2016
• Education

Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon

• J.D. 2014

Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas

• B.S. – 2009
• Honors: Dean’s list
• Major: Criminal Justice

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association
  

Attorney Zac Brower

Zac Brower grew up in Roseburg, where he developed a fondness for Douglas County. In 2011, Zac graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Political Science. A year later Zac returned to the University of Oregon to obtain a law degree. Zac graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law School in 2015. During law school Zac worked at the Lane County District Attorney’s Office as part of a student clinic. Since graduating, Zac has returned to Douglas County to pursue a career in trial litigation, and serve his home community. In his free time Zac enjoys reading, and is an avid fan of cinema. 

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Law
• Family Law
• Juvenile Defense

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Oregon, 2016

Education

• University of Oregon School of Law, Eugene, Oregon

        o J.D. - 2015

• University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon

        o B.S. - 2011

        o Honors: Dean's List

        o Major: Political Science

Attorney Jessica Sacharow

Jessica Sacharow grew up in Southern California, but after living in Eugene for 9 years she considers Oregon home. Jessica graduated from the University of Oregon in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in crime and delinquency. She returned to the University of Oregon one year later to attend law school. Jessica graduated from the University of Oregon, School of Law in 2016 and joined the Bar in 2017. While in law school, Jessica worked at the Lane County Public Defender’s Office as a certified law student. She moved to Roseburg and joined Arneson and Stewart in December 2017 to put her knowledge and passion for public service to work for the people of Douglas County. Jessica is a zealous advocate and is committed to working with her clients to reach the best possible outcome in their case.