Margot D. Seitz
Shareholder
One Financial Center121 SW Morrison Street, Suite 600
Portland OR 97204
mseitz@fwwlaw.com
503.228.6044
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy & Creditors' RightsEstate Planning & Administration
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Practice Summary
With a background in economics, Margot is able to quickly apply legal principles to the business world, conduct cost-benefit analysis, and simplify complex issues for her clients. She is a rare mix of analytical and compassionate, so is able to maintain a broad practice that encompasses bankruptcy and creditors' rights, litigation, and estate planning and administration.
Margot represents parties in all types of insolvency matters. She advises banks, credit unions, equipment finance companies, creditors and receivers in state and federal court. Margot also advises credit unions on a variety of regulatory and business matters, and assists clients with estate planning and administration. Margot is actively involved in the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board and is a past officer of the Executive Committee for that section.
Margot also represents companies and individuals in state-court litigation. She has developed expertise in the areas of business litigation, real property disputes and commercial collections. Margot's economics, business, and debtor-creditor experience all come together to help her analyze what potential claims are truly worth.
Lastly, Margot provides advice and counseling to individuals, families, and fiduciaries on a wide range of issues affecting estate planning and estate administration. She assists clients with all aspects of estate planning – i.e., drafting wills and/or trusts, planning for incapacitation, selecting guardians and powers of attorney, etc. Margot works closely with her clients to develop implement a plan that will provide for efficient administration of assets while protecting clients and their loved ones. Finally, when disputes arise concerning estate administration, Margot will assist clients in resolving those disputes.
Margot represents parties in all types of insolvency matters. She advises banks, credit unions, equipment finance companies, creditors and receivers in state and federal court. Margot also advises credit unions on a variety of regulatory and business matters, and assists clients with estate planning and administration. Margot is actively involved in the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board and is a past officer of the Executive Committee for that section.
Margot also represents companies and individuals in state-court litigation. She has developed expertise in the areas of business litigation, real property disputes and commercial collections. Margot's economics, business, and debtor-creditor experience all come together to help her analyze what potential claims are truly worth.
Lastly, Margot provides advice and counseling to individuals, families, and fiduciaries on a wide range of issues affecting estate planning and estate administration. She assists clients with all aspects of estate planning – i.e., drafting wills and/or trusts, planning for incapacitation, selecting guardians and powers of attorney, etc. Margot works closely with her clients to develop implement a plan that will provide for efficient administration of assets while protecting clients and their loved ones. Finally, when disputes arise concerning estate administration, Margot will assist clients in resolving those disputes.
Representative Matters
Bankruptcy and Receiverships – Representation of creditors, equipment lessors, landlords, trustees, commercial debtors, receivers, and other parties in the following bankruptcy matters:- Chapter 7, 12, 11, and 13 bankruptcy cases
- State court receiverships
- Bankruptcy litigation (e.g., preference actions, fraudulent transfer cases, lien disputes, objections to discharge)
- Real property disputes
- Commercial contract and lease enforcement
- Commercial creditor workouts
- Contract disputes
- Commercial collections
- Lender liability
- Preparation of wills and trusts
- Probate and probate litigation
- Trust administration
- Limited conservatorships
- Elder abuse
Education
Lewis & Clark Law School (J.D. cum laude, 2007)Reed College (B.A. Economics, Phi Betta Kappa, 2000)
Admissions
Oregon State BarWashington State Bar
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
District of Oregon
Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Associations
American Bankruptcy InstituteEquipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA)
Turnaround Management Association
Oregon Women Lawyers
Multnomah Bar Association
Awards
Selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization LawSelected to the Oregon Super Lawyers list 2020-2023 for Bankruptcy-Business law; and a Rising Star in 2015-2017
Speaking Engagements
Annual "Case Law Update" presentations; Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section Annual Meetings (2011 through present)Publications
Are They or Aren’t They – U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of “Debt Collector” under FDCPA By Margot Seitz, Farleigh Wada Witt (Page 6), Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Newsletter Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1
SCOUNDRELLY INTENT: Can Debtor’s Misrepresentation About A Single Asset Defeat Non-Dischargability Under Section 523(a)(2)(A)? By Susan T. Alterman, Kell, Alterman & Runstein, LLP; Margot Seitz, Farleigh Wada Witt (Page 5), Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Newsletter Vol. XXXVII, No. 3
Limiting the Safe Harbor under § 546(e), or Trustees May Be Off to the Racino By Susan Alterman, Kell, Alterman & Runstein, LLC; Margot Seitz, Farleigh Wada Witt (Page 13), Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Newsletter Vol. XXXVII, No. 2
Margot has regularly contributed to the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Newsletter (2011 through present); additional archived articles can be located here.