Annelisa D. Smith

Oregon

McKean Smith LLC
1140 SW 11th Ave,
Suite 500
Portland, OR 97205

Tel: (503) 567-7967

Email: a.smith@mckeansmithlaw.com
Web: www.mckeansmithlaw.com

Professional Biography

Annelisa Smith is a family law attorney and co-owner and partner at McKean Smith, where she focuses on complex divorce and family law litigation. Known as an aggressive and passionate advocate, she brings a strategic and client-centered approach to guiding individuals through challenging domestic matters.

Annelisa’s practice is centered on complex family law and divorce cases, where she develops comprehensive litigation strategies, including the examination of both expert and lay witnesses. While she is a strong courtroom advocate, she does not view trial as the default outcome, instead working toward tailored case plans that prioritize efficient and, where possible, amicable resolutions. Drawing on her experience, she recognizes that while some disputes require court intervention, many can be resolved in a way that allows clients to move forward constructively.

Her commitment to family law is rooted in her early career as a public defender, where she represented parents and children in child abuse and neglect cases. This experience helped shape her approach to advocacy and her understanding of the complexities involved in family disputes.

Deeply connected to her community, Annelisa was born and raised in Portland and attended Oregon State University. She serves on the boards of several nonprofits and is committed to supporting the Pacific Northwest community. She also volunteers her time to help improve the quality of legal representation across Oregon.

In October 2024, Annelisa completed Mosten Guthrie’s 40-hour mediation course, a comprehensive program focused on conflict resolution techniques, communication strategies, and the effective mediation of family disputes and divorce cases.

McKean Smith’s family law practice provides comprehensive, client-focused representation across a wide range of domestic relations matters, combining practical guidance with a compassionate approach. The team advises on issues including divorce, annulment, child custody and parenting time, support, property division, and paternity, helping clients navigate both the legal and personal complexities of family disputes.

The firm places a strong emphasis on resolving matters efficiently and constructively, offering mediation and collaborative law as effective alternatives to litigation while remaining prepared to advocate in court when necessary. Its attorneys are also experienced in sensitive and specialized areas such as domestic violence protection, juvenile matters, surrogacy and family creation law, and third-party custody disputes.

Known for its clear, solutions-oriented approach, McKean Smith works to achieve fair and sustainable outcomes tailored to each client’s circumstances, with a consistent focus on protecting families, prioritizing children’s best interests, and delivering practical results.

McKean Smith LLC is a Pacific Northwest–based law firm with offices in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, providing legal services to individuals and businesses across a broad range of matters. The firm was founded in 2015 by Collin McKean and Annelisa Smith and has developed a practice that combines litigation, transactional work, and advisory services across multiple disciplines.

The firm offers comprehensive legal counsel in areas including family law, civil litigation, business and transactional law, criminal defense, probate and estate matters, arbitration, and catastrophic injury claims. Its attorneys handle both personal and commercial matters, ranging from divorce, custody, and high-conflict family disputes to complex business transactions, employment issues, and multi-state legal challenges.

McKean Smith emphasizes a client-focused approach, combining strategic legal advocacy with practical, tailored solutions designed to achieve effective outcomes. With offices in both Oregon and Washington, the firm is positioned to assist clients with cross-jurisdictional issues, particularly in matters such as family law and business disputes that span state lines.

“Annelisa Smith is widely recognized for her strength in complex family law litigation, combining strategic insight with determined advocacy. Clients frequently highlight her ability to take control of challenging cases and develop clear, effective strategies, while her background in child welfare work adds depth and perspective to her approach.”
The Family Attorneys, 2025