Catalyst Law Welcomes New Team Members & Celebrates Key Staff Transitions in 2025
At Catalyst Law, LLC, we believe that change brings growth, and 2025 has already brought several exciting staff updates to our purpose-driven law firm. While we’re always grateful for the contributions of past colleagues, we’re energized by the strength of our current team, ready to serve clients from our Portland office in the Pearl District, our King City location, and virtually via Zoom.
New Senior Counsel: Mary Dougherty, Tax and Estate Planning Attorney
In March 2025, we proudly welcomed Mary Dougherty as Senior Counsel. A seasoned Oregon tax attorney with over 15 years of experience, Mary’s practice focuses on:
- Estate planning
- Probate and trust administration
- Tax law
- Business and nonprofit law
Mary began her legal career as a clerk for the Oregon Tax Court and later served more than a decade at a mid-size law firm in Portland. She is well-known across the state for her leadership and dedication to public service, currently serving on the Oregon State Bar Taxation Section Executive Committee, the board of Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS), as well as other community and nonprofit boards.
A proud alumna of Oregon State University and Pacific-McGeorge School of Law, Mary brings a collaborative and deeply knowledgeable approach to Catalyst’s estate and tax law services.
Mary and Managing Attorney Kimberly Pray first collaborated nearly 20 years ago on legal education and tax-focused initiatives, including the Portland Tax Forum, OSB New Lawyers Committee, and the Oregon Tax Institute Planning Committee. We’re thrilled to reunite with Mary and look forward to many years of geeking out over all things tax law!
Amanda Caffall Returns to Catalyst
Also in March, Amanda Caffall rejoined Catalyst as an Associate Attorney after eight impactful years in public service. Amanda was the founding Executive Director of The Commons Law Center, a nonprofit law firm she and Kimberly established, along with countless other dedicated volunteers and employees, to expand access to affordable legal services across Oregon. We’re overjoyed to welcome her back into private practice with our firm.
Amanda’s return strengthens our commitment to values-based legal practice. Her work at Catalyst now centers on:
- Estate Planning
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Nonprofit and charitable organization law
Recognized for her leadership and innovation, Amanda is a Fastcase 50 Awardee and recipient of the Oregon State Bar President’s Technology and Innovation Award. She is a graduate of Western Washington University and Lewis & Clark Law School, and she balances her thriving legal career with the joys of raising two energetic kids in the Portland-area.
Additional Staff Transitions in 2025
We’re also excited to share two more updates:
- Melissa Stott, based in our King City office, transitioned into a new role as Legal Assistant, providing support for returning and active client matters.
- Kimberly Londono Ruiz joined the Firm as Legal Assistant, to support attorney and paralegals’ work on active client matters while working remotely.
- Kristine Jones joined Catalyst as Client Services Assistant, supporting new client intake and ensuring a smooth experience from the first phone call to the final resolution.
About Catalyst Law, LLC
Based in Portland, Oregon, Catalyst Law is a woman-owned, mission-driven law firm offering trusted legal counsel in estate planning, probate, trust administration, business and nonprofit law, and tax law. Our team serves clients throughout the State of Oregon, with a focus on serving Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Yamhill counties, from our two conveniently located offices in the Portland metro area.
Whether you’re planning your legacy, managing a loved one’s estate, or growing a mission-driven organization, our dedicated attorneys are here to help—online or in person.
