Vanessa A. Usui
Partner
Vanessa A. Usui is a partner at Black Helterline LLP whose practice focuses on estate planning, probate, trust administration, taxation, and charitable planning. She advises individuals in creating estate plans with a focus on tax efficiency and business succession. She also advises trustees and personal representatives in administering trusts and estates. Vanessa is known for her technical precision, problem solving skills, and her ability to guide clients through complex planning and administration matters with clarity and care.
Vanessa brings more than two decades of experience in trusts, estates, and taxation to her practice. Her work reflects a long‑standing commitment to public service, legal scholarship, and providing clients with nuanced planning solutions that balance technical rigor with practical outcomes.
- Develops and implements comprehensive estate plans emphasizing tax efficiency and business succession objectives.
- Advises clients on probate and trust administration, guiding families through post‑death planning and asset management.
- Counsels clients on charitable giving strategies and the formation and operation of charitable organizations.
- Assists business owners in integrating estate, tax, and succession planning to support long‑term business continuity.
- Author, Federal Estate and Generation‑Skipping Transfer Tax, Oregon State Bar, Administering Oregon Estates (2023)
- Speaker, Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Oregon Update (2023)
- Update Editor, Oregon Statutory Time Limitations, Oregon State Bar (July 2022)
- Member, Editorial Board, Oregon Estate Planning & Administration Newsletter
- Board of Directors, Partnership for Safety and Justice (2018–present)
- Former Board Member, Basic Rights Oregon (2008–2017)